Apple introduces a new larger HomePod

There's a new larger HomePod in town. And if you feel like you're having deja vu, it's because it has the same design as the discontinued 2021 model. But it gets upgraded audio, an S7 chip, improved smart home capabilities, and a lower $399 price. This HomePod gets a custom-made woofer, diaphragm motor, bass EQ mic, and a group of five tweeters. According to Apple, you can expect "rich, deep bass and stunning high frequencies."

With the help of its S7 chip and its software, the HomePod makes the most of its audio setup. It has room sensing tech so it can read sound reflections to determine its position in a room and adjust audio in real-time. This HomePod supports Spatial Audio via Apple Music. And it has a new smart home feature called Sound Recognition, which can monitor for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and send an alert to your iPhone if it hears it. This feature isn't launching with the speaker but is coming via a software update "later this spring." Apple also warns again only relying on the HomePod for emergencies.

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Fitbit removes support for Deezer, Pandora

If you picked up an older Fitbit for music playback, unfortunately, you're losing that option. The Google-owned brand will no longer support Deezer and Pandora on the Sense, Versa 2, and Versa 3. You won't be able to download Pandora stations or add Deezer playlists to your smartwatches. That means after March 31, Fitbit smartwatches lose the support for onboard music. 

Controlling media from your phone is still possible. But this move does further cripple Fitbit's offerings. As The Verge pointed out, it looks like Google wants users to turn to the Pixel Watch as their smartwatch of choice. 

Google has unlocked the Stadia controller's Bluetooth

Source: Google

With Stadia shutting down today, Google has released the online tool it promised could enable Bluetooth support on the Stadia controller. This lets you use the gamepad for your PC, iOS, or Android devices, saving the accessory from being a glorified paperweight. You can visit this page to unlock Bluetooth. The process is simple and easy to follow. You will need to connect your controller to your computer using a USB-C cable and ensure it's charged to at least 10 percent. 

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Logitech Brio 300 is a 1080p webcam with auto light correction

Source: Logitech

Logitech introduced a new budget-oriented 1080p webcam with some useful features. The new Logitech Brio 300 series is a US$70 (around CA$95) webcam made for users with "poor lighting conditions, unflattering camera angles and low-quality sound." It offers high dynamic contrast, auto light correction, and a digital mic with noise reduction. It supports 1080p at up to 30fps and 720p at 60fps.

The Brio 300 also has a privacy shutter for when you aren't using it. And it comes in pleasing Rose, Off-Wite, and Graphite colours. It connects via USB-C, and Logitech promises Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet certification.

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