Tag: #creative

Creative launches the Sound Blaster Katana SE soundbar

Creative Technology today announced the release of the Sound Blaster Katana SE, the latest gaming soundbar to join the ranks of the well-established Katana series, which now allows users to effortlessly enjoy powerful audio without the heft. With its award-winning bi-amplified four-driver system and Creative’s proprietary multi-core DSP, this latest soundbar can offer rich and powerful audio with excellent clarity and volume, even without the need for a subwoofer. Coupled with Super X-Fi technology, 5.1 virtual surround capabilities, and versatile connectivity options, the Sound Blaster Katana SE is the ideal soundbar for gamers, movie lovers, and music enthusiasts who want an elevated audio experience without compromising on space or audio quality.

The Sound Blaster Katana SE offers a seamless yet powerful audio solution for users looking to take their audio game up a notch. Fitted with 0.75″ fabric dome tweeters that help to produce cleaner and more refined highs and upgraded dual up-firing 3″ mid-bass drivers that deliver full-sounding bass, this latest soundbar surpasses expectations to deliver an impressive audio experience that belies its size. Like its predecessor, the Sound Blaster Katana SE is also a certified Dolby Audio decoder, which allows users to easily recreate the cinematic audio experience within the comfort of their own homes.

What sets the Sound Blaster Katana SE apart is its Super X-Fi technology, which allows users to enjoy an immersive audio experience through their headphones, perfect for late-night game binges without disturbing the neighbors. Moreover, gamers can also activate the SXFI Battle Mode and Scout Mode to gain a competitive advantage in FPS games by accurately pinpointing their enemy’s location with enhanced in-battle audio cues and sound detection.

By connecting the soundbar to the Creative app, users can personalize their audio experience with the Acoustic Engine suite and choose their preferred RGB illumination modes, making it uniquely their own. These customized settings can be saved as profiles on either the app or the programmable buttons on the remote control, giving users easy access to their favourite sound and lighting configurations. Furthermore, the soundbar can be easily mounted on the wall, making it a convenient and space-saving addition to any home entertainment setup.

The latest soundbar also works as a one-stop audio hub with a wide variety of connectivity options, including USB, HDMI ARC, optical port, headphone jack, and wireless Bluetooth 5.0. It also works with various platforms, from gaming consoles such as the PS5, PS4, Xbox series consoles, and Nintendo Switch to PCs, Macs, and mobile devices. The all-in-one soundbar also features a built-in beamforming microphone, which allows users to jump on calls directly from the soundbar, making it an ideal feature for video conferencing.

Lastly, this all-in-one soundbar enriches the Katana Series by presenting a more comprehensive line-up of audio solutions to cater to diverse use cases, making it easier for users to find the perfect fit for their audio needs.

Sound Blaster Katana SE is priced at UK£299.99, US$299.99, EU€329.99 and is available at Creative.com.

For more information, visit www.creative.com/katanase

Creative launches Live! Cam Sync 4K

Creative Technology today announces the release of Creative Live! Cam Sync 4K, the latest webcam that comes equipped with nifty features to meet any video conferencing or streaming needs. With a high-performance Sony 4K UHD 8MP image sensor*, a backlight adjustment feature, and a 95° wide-angle lens, this webcam captures more within the frame and delivers crystal-clear videos even in low-light conditions at a smooth frame rate of up to 40 FPS. Perfect for pros, streamers, and anyone who wants to take their video quality to the next level.

Say goodbye to blurry video quality and hello to 4K perfection with Creative Live! Cam Sync 4K. The Creative Live! Cam Sync 4K is not just about video quality, though. It also has dual built-in microphones that can capture the user’s voice with clarity and accuracy. So, whether for presentations, live-streaming, or just chatting with friends and family, this webcam makes sure that users appear and sound great in any setting. Plus, it has an integrated lens cover for extra privacy and a universal mounting clip that allows greater flexibility for users to find the best angle.

Setting up the Creative Live! Cam Sync 4K is also super easy. It’s UVC-compliant, which means users can jump into virtual meetings and start streaming right away without any additional drivers. It is also compatible with most video conferencing platforms and popular streaming apps. And if that is not enough, it even comes with a SmartComms Kit via the Creative App. This kit includes features such as VoiceDetect and NoiseClean-Out to ensure clearer communication whenever and wherever.

Be it for work or personal use, the Creative Live! Cam Sync 4K is the perfect tool to achieve greater video quality with clear audio to match. Creative Live! Cam Sync 4K is priced at £74.99 and is available at Creative.com. For more information, visit www.creative.com/LiveCam4K

Students scoop national prizes at The Big Idea creative thinking awards

Powerful problem solvers and creative critical thinkers – students from across Ireland have learned one of the most in-demand skills in the world, as teams from Carlow, Offaly and Kilkenny have won the top prizes in Ireland’s national creative thinking programme The Big Idea.

Team Community Cara from Borris Vocational School won the overall award having journeyed through the 14-week problem-solving programme, exploring the issue of hidden poverty and developing a solution with potential for real social impact. They developed an idea for an app to support people living in poverty in Ireland to help connect them with local support.

The standard of projects submitted this year in the Youthreach and Community Training Centre (CTC) pilot programme was outstanding and in recognition of the innovation shown across this programme two additional Big Idea national prizes were awarded.

The Youthreach & CTC Climate Change winner was Team YR – Kilkenny Youthreach, who designed an app that would use augmented reality to educate primary school students about the impacts of climate change in their local environment.

The Youthreach & CTC Mental Health Award was won by Team HopOut from Tullamore Community Training Centre in Offaly, who proposed a community hub promoted by a drink’s coaster with a QR code to help support younger men with their mental health.

The Big Idea is delivered through the Leaving Cert Applied (LCA) and Transition Year (TY) programmes, as well as an expanded pilot Youthreach and Community Training Centre (CTC) programme. It was delivered across 22 counties this year, with a successful pilot programme trialled in Northern Ireland.

Students were tasked with working through the four Ds of the creative process – discover, define, develop and deliver – focusing on solutions for issues they identified as major stressors in their lives. These were mental health, climate change, hidden poverty, displaced people, and diversity and inclusion, all aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With the help of hundreds of Big Idea mentors from a range of sectors, they develop a digital experience, product, service, space or place, or a tech solution to tackle that issue.

Winning ideas

The Climate Change Award went to the Eco Activists from Scoil Bernadette in Cork, who delivered the idea of a wildflower garden at the school, which is a safe space for students and their hero Brian The Bee. 

Sarah’s Strength won the Mental Health Award for St Patrick’s College Dungannon in Tyrone for the website ‘It Takes Strength’, which would support university students’ mental health and wellbeing by offering relevant information and peer-to-peer advice on topics such as financial worries or time management issues. 

Team Immoderate at Mercy Secondary School in Ballymahon in Longford won the Hidden Poverty Award for their development of an idea for an app ‘Incognation’, to build an online community and provide information, resources and support for people experiencing hidden poverty. 

Borris Vocational School in Carlow had a second winner as Team Cabhrú wanted to develop a comprehensive multi-lingual website for the Displaced People category to support refugees to Ireland and offer information on education, housing and employment, as well as a guide to help them settle in.         

Meanwhile, Team The Bois at Meánscoil San Nioclás in Waterford won the Diversity and Inclusion Award for an inclusive mental health journal called ‘Mind Bloggling’,  which supports the emotional wellbeing of young people from all backgrounds. 

Teachers and tutors were also celebrated, as teacher Patricia Dunphy of Mercy Secondary School in Waterford was crowned TY/LCA/NI Creativity Champion, with tutor at Tullamore Community Training Centre Lynsey McCabe winning the Youthreach and CTC Creativity Champion award.  

Elevating the national skill base

Founder and CEO of The Big Idea, Kim Mackenzie-Doyle says the winners were selected by judges based on the recognition and celebration of their journey through the creative Big Idea process, in addition to their innovative and inspiring ideas which have potential for real social impact.

“A massive congratulations to all of the students across the 22 counties who have journeyed through the 2023 programme. They have learned transformative creative skills and thanks to the help of our industry mentors, they can continue to think big and use creative thinking to solve problems and develop solutions – whether in life, college or work.”

The award-winning product designer who founded Ireland’s creative thinking programme, The Big Idea in 2021 says it is more than just an educational programme, “it’s a movement to elevate the national skill base and democratise the world’s most in-demand skill – creative thinking.”

Kim says the programme is brought to life by the Creativity Champions, teachers, staff, facilitators and coordinators who bring the Big Idea to life across classrooms and workshops across Ireland.

“They create a safe space for students and learners to experience creativity in action. They empower young people to find their voice and share their Big Ideas.”

EPAM Ireland is a partner of The B!G Idea and provided 13 mentors to work alongside the students, helping to bridge the gap between industry and education by providing practical advice on how to develop their innovative ideas and projects. Commenting on the programme, Martin Byrne, VP and Country Manager at EPAM Ireland, said: “Partnering with The B!G Idea was a no-brainer for us. Equipping the next generation of students with high-level problem-solving skills to tackle complex global issues like climate change and hidden poverty is exactly what Ireland and the technology industry needs right now. Highlighted by the fact that climate change was the #1 topic that these students wanted to address, sustainability is a huge issue in modern society and one that we are passionate about in EPAM. Our mentors and I are very excited to see how some of these Ideas progress, and we look forward to continuing the relationships we have built after the Showcase.”

Since the programme launched in 2021, it has already reached 6,500 learners, supported by over 750 industry mentors globally to help unlock valuable industry knowledge to help build the confidence and problem-solving skills of young people.

The winners, along with a selection of Big Ideas from the programme will go on to take part in a Big Idea accelerator in September. The Big Exhibition which includes every project submitted this year is now live at thebigidea.ie, where schools and mentors can also sign up for the next term.

Tech Review – Creative Outlier Free bone conduction headphones

Typical Headphones are made up of small speakers either separated with each in the ear or over the ear with cushions for comfort and sound insulation.  The Creative Outlier Free are Bone conduction headphones – that transmit sound waves through the bones in a user’s skull instead of their ear canal. These are worn resting on your temples. Because of this design,  these are ideal for conditions in which many earphones would fall out of the inner ear or shake off the head. These have the advantage of not blocking the ear ( similar to hear-through as used on some earphones ) allowing alertness of the surrounding areas. The material is strong and sturdy with bigger buttons that are seen on many earphones with water-resistant, but not as fully waterproof as seen on their other model Creative Outlier Free pro.  The creative logo is visibly seen on the earphones.

These do not come with a carry case to protect the earphones or store the charging cable when not in use which is slightly disappointing.

Technical spec

  •       Headphone Drivers: Bone Conduction Transducers
  •       Frequency Response: 20–20,000 Hz
  •       Microphones: Omni-directional x 1
  •       Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.3
  •       Bluetooth Profiles
  •       •A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile)
  •       •AVRCP (Audio / Video Remote Control Profile)
  •       •HFP (Hands-free Profile)
  •       Audio Codec: SBC
  •       Operating Frequency: 2402–2480 Hz
  •       Operating Range: Up to 10m / 33 ft
  •       Voice Assistant Support: Siri and Google Assistant
  •       Playtime: Up to 10 Hours*
  •       Charging Time: 2 Hours
  •       Charging Interface: USB-A
  •       Battery Type: Rechargeable Lithium-ion Polymer Battery
  •       180 mAh 0.666 Wh
  •       Input: 5V 1A
  •       Operating Temperature: 0–45°C
  •       Maximum RF Output Power: 4 dBm
  •       IP Rating: IPX5

Setup:

The quick start guide is excellent allowing the use of a QR code to read the manual easily. The setup is straightforward while having the bonus of multimode connectivity which allows the headset connected to two separate devices at the same time.  This may be two separate phones or a laptop connected via  Bluetooth. Either device if called automatically can respond as a call or music played from either device. The process of connecting works the same way as syncing a new Bluetooth device.

Connection to an Android phone and a Windows laptop worked uncomplicated and straightforwardly as you would expect from Creative.

Battery & charging:

The earphones come with a Magnetic USB charging port to USB Type A with a  Rechargeable Lithium-ion Polymer Battery of 180 mAh which has a charging time of about 2 hours charging for 10 hours of use.  This is where these earphones are let down, most modern earphone comes with a standardised USB C charger lead ( Meaning this cable can be swapped via a modern android phone ) and some come with a wireless charger, Creative have gone with a proprietary magnetic charger given a reasonable 10 hours as compared to other in an earphone that gives over 30 hours via the case.  When the earphones aren’t in use the power button is larger but required this to be manually pressed to power down.

A Full  Tech Review – Creative Outlier Free Pro bone conduction headphones seen at techbuzzireland previously https://techbuzzireland.com/2023/03/14/tech-review-creative-outlier-free-pro-bone-conduction-headphones/ 

Warranty: 

The warranty is 2 years within the European Union but may be less outside of the EU.

Conclusion:

The audio quality in terms of the frequency response for these headphones is  20 to 20,000 Hz which is a standard frequency in this range, When used in a traditional phone call the audio is a noticeable difference in terms of the bone conduction headphones which transmit sound waves through the bones in a user’s skull instead of their ear canal this causes a vibration which is not a critique of the audio rather a different approach. When used for  High-Resolution Audio the audio which has higher sampling rates is partially noticeable but unless stopped and fully concentrated on the music hard to tell the difference. This model is good in terms of when listening to higher volumes those surrounding the earphones do not hear a leakage on the music .  the option to Turn on Low Latency Mode to enjoy synchronized and smoother playback of audio and video is a positive for these earphones allowing for multiple options on audio experiences.

When looked at from a Safety perspective ( open-ear listening) being able to hear the surrounding area but also in terms of not directly in the ear canal, ( This is not supported by formal medical advice but rather an opinion ) no ear wax has been pushed into the ear and safer from an awareness of your surroundings.  The IPX5 splashproof or sweatproof rating is excellent for everyday use as could be taken in and out of the shower but not suitable for swimming certainly good enough to ensure if out in the rain these will not be affected,

Overall as someone that tries to walk for over an hour a day, this is my go-to set of earphones, as practically impossible to have them fall off the head due to the design, through the design from a safety perspective, they are similar to having heard through on all the time without the need to remove from your head is stopping to chat to someone,  The multimode is excellent allowing connectivity & versatility for use in more than one device. Once familiar with the design while heaver at 30g than many other earphones on the market this quickly becomes forgotten they are around your head. This model is ideal for extreme sports and certainly will endure lots of adversity in its use.

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Video Review

Creative launches its newest under-monitor soundbar, The Creative Stage SE

Creative Technology today announced the release of Creative Stage SE, the latest under-monitor soundbar that is designed to amp up the user’s desktop audio experience. Despite its compact size, the Creative Stage SE packs a powerful audio punch with custom-tuned racetrack drivers and Sound Blaster technology to deliver a clearer and more immersive audio experience. This soundbar is also simple to set up and powers up easily via a power adapter; it also offers both USB digital audio and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. Together with convenient controls and tone adjustments, the Creative Stage SE sets the stage for an elevated movie, music, and gaming experience for PC users.

Creative Stage SE offers clearer, louder, and punchier audio in a smaller form factor.

Fitted with powerful full-range racetrack drivers and oversized radiators, the Creative Stage SE is able to deliver clearer and punchier audio, even without a subwoofer. With a total peak power of 48W, this soundbar surpasses the audio performance of any default PC built-in speakers to offer a better listening experience for users. The Creative Stage SE also features Sound Blaster audio technologies such as Clear Dialog and Surround Sound, which offer users clearer dialogue even amidst jam-packed scenes and a cinema-like audio experience with a widened sound stage.

On top of that, the Creative Stage SE also allows users to switch between warmer and brighter audio reproduction with the latest tone adjustment feature. Now users can tune and adjust tone neutrality to their liking with a simple press of a button.

Lastly, for a seamless listening experience, the Creative Stage SE features a simple plug-and-play setup that supports both USB digital audio and Bluetooth connectivity. Furthermore, the soundbar includes an integrated volume control knob conveniently located on the side for users to make quick sound adjustments on the fly, as well as a remote control to toggle a variety of features such as tone adjustments, surround sound, and clear dialogue mode selections.

Creative Stage SE is priced at UK£69.99 and is available at Creative.com. For more information, visit www.creative.com/stagese

Tech Review – Creative Outlier Free Pro bone conduction headphones

Bone conduction headphones are now a thing and after reviewing multiple pairs here we can see why this is the case as they apply technology in a different way and is more beneficial to the ears which is important for your own health. Creative have recently launched two new pairs of such and we are checking out the Outlier Free Pro today after some time with them, not featuring all the aspects traditional earbuds do this pair is for those who are into sports and you can even take a dip with these on which for me is something I would never do but here you can if you want to do so and be different.

The design is familiar here with these bone conducting headphones and it will be some time before we see new designs or companies being bold whilst this style takes off. These simply just wrap around your ears and rest on your neck and can be worn in more ways than one depending who you are i guess.

They are super light and covered with a nice rubberised material giving them their IPX8 rating which is the highest yet to be seen on such a product. They are comfortable to wear for long periods of time and you will forget they are there, you can angle these in two ways if you want to be different too but they are designed to be worn one way but they do work in two ways by changing the angle and where you place the bud part.

There is a simple option on board to control these two with the buttons just placed on one side which keeps it simple like any other of these bone conduction headphones I have tried out so far. The three buttons are raised and easy to navigate too. There is more than meets the eye with just three buttons present too and they basically do all the things you need to on a pair of earbuds.

You can store music on these or just connect to your smartphone there is 8GB of onboard storage and you can switch between either by pressing the multifunction button which also changes the latency option.

You can play and pause skip and reverse tracks and control your volume too and manage calls and furthermore have access to your voice assistant. We demo all this in the video review below.

The Outlier Free Pro stands out even more with its 8GB (stores 2,000 MP3 songs) built-in music player (also compatible with FLAC, WAV and APE file formats); it enables users to enjoy their favorite tunes without the need to carry their mobile phones. Thanks to its IPX8 rating (the highest waterproof rating for water immersion), swimmers can even swim underwater in the pool.

When it comes to sound they have a nice level of bass these type of headphones will not give the same effect as earbuds but it is not far off and overall they sound good and the best from what I have tried to date for music videos and more there is one thing though if you have them turned up to the max if you are on a bus etc the person beside you will heat what you are listening to. The Outlier Free Pro offers up to 10 hours of battery life per charge 10 minutes of quick-charging provides 2 hours of playtime at around 75% charge which is not bad but if using full volume like me you can expect around 9 and a half hours but with the quick charge you are good to go rather fast.

Overall a solid first attempt at a new line that gives good tunes and battery life along with protection for those who are into sports and more demanding on build quality and full of features you would expect to find on your traditional earbuds.

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Video Review

Creative Outlier Free and Outlier Free Pro bone conduction headphones – First Look

Creative recently announced two pairs of bone conduction headphones which is now becoming a popular trend and for the better we have tested quite a few pairs over the last year or so and I am looking forward to seeing how creative have done here with the latest two headsets on offer.

Today we take a first look and hands on of the new bone conduction headphones which look identical but one has more to offer hence the name Pro and if you have any questions feel free to ask below or on our YouTube channel and we will gladly answer them.

The use of bone conduction technology revolves around transducers on the headphones, which, through vibrations on the user’s cheekbones, transmit sound waves into the inner ears. With their ears freed up from in-ear or over-ear headphones, users feel safer through heightened environmental awareness while enjoying high-quality acoustics – this is especially useful for joggers or cyclists on busy streets, or gym enthusiasts who like to chat with their workout buddies.

Creative Outlier Free

The Outlier Free is equipped with a slew of handy features for wireless headphones – up to 10 hours of battery life per charge (10 minutes of quick-charging provides 2 hours of playtime), IPX5 water resistance, Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint connectivity (up to 2 Bluetooth devices at a time), low-latency mode to minimize audio-visual lag, built-in microphone and Siri / Google Assistant support. It is constructed using lightweight silicone and titanium memory alloy for optimal comfort and fit.

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Creative Outlier Free Pro

The Outlier Free Pro stands out even more with its 8GB (stores 2,000 MP3 songs) built-in music player (also compatible with FLAC, WAV and APE file formats); it enables users to enjoy their favorite tunes without the need to carry their mobile phones. Thanks to its IPX8 rating (the highest waterproof rating for water immersion), swimmers can even swim underwater in the pool.

Bluetooth 5.3, delivering robust connections for up to 2 Bluetooth devices at a time. There is also a low-latency mode to minimize audio-visual lag for movie-watching; users have the added convenience with a built-in microphone for calls, and Siri / Google Assistant support. Lightweight silicone and titanium memory alloy are used to construct the Outlier Free Pro, translating to all-day comfort and fit.

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Unboxing Video

Creative Outlier Free Champions Aural Freedom with Bone Conduction Technology

Creative Technology today launched Creative Outlier Free, its latest wireless headphones which integrate bone conduction technology with the characteristics of the well-loved Outlier series, such as long battery life, water resistance and lightweight comfort.

The use of bone conduction technology revolves around transducers on the headphones, which, through vibrations on the user’s cheekbones, transmit sound waves into the inner ears. With their ears freed up from in-ear or over-ear headphones, users feel safer through heightened environmental awareness while enjoying high-quality acoustics – this is especially useful for joggers or cyclists on busy streets, or gym enthusiasts who like to chat with their workout buddies.

Thanks to this benefit of open-ear listening, the Outlier Free is also ideal for leisure activities such as singing on mobile karaoke apps, where users would enjoy being able to hear their own voices, just as they would in a natural environment.

The Outlier Free is equipped with a slew of handy features for wireless headphones – up to 10 hours of battery life per charge (10 minutes of quick-charging provides 2 hours of playtime), IPX5 water resistance, Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint connectivity (up to 2 Bluetooth devices at a time), low-latency mode to minimize audio-visual lag, built-in microphone and Siri / Google Assistant support. It is constructed using lightweight silicone and titanium memory alloy for optimal comfort and fit.

Considering these features against its irresistible price of UK£79.99, the Outlier Free is quite simply a steal.

For more information, visit creative.com/OutlierFree.

Creative Outlier Free Pro: This One’s for the Pros

Creative Technology today launched Creative Outlier Free Pro, its latest wireless bone conduction headphones equipped with all the features desired by pro-level sporting enthusiasts who love a soundtrack. Built to be tough yet comfortable in fit, unstoppable in the heaviest of rains and even underwater, indefatigable battery life and without the need for a device to play music, the Outlier Free Pro is simply at the top of its game.

Thanks to bone conduction technology, where sound waves are transmitted into the inner ears through vibrations from transducers on the user’s cheekbones, the benefits of open-ear listening are realized. With a much-heightened level of environmental awareness, users can enjoy a safer listening experience as compared to in-ear or over-ear headphones – joggers and cyclists can make their way down busy streets with ease; gym buddies can chat effortlessly during workouts. Additionally, for leisure activities such as the use of mobile karaoke apps, users can enjoy the better experience of singing while hearing themselves naturally.

The Outlier Free Pro stands out even more with its 8GB (stores 2,000 MP3 songs) built-in music player (also compatible with FLAC, WAV and APE file formats); it enables users to enjoy their favorite tunes without the need to carry their mobile phones. Thanks to its IPX8 rating (the highest waterproof rating for water immersion), swimmers can even swim underwater in the pool.

Trail runners and hikers who love to go the distance would always have their soundtrack on, as the Outlier Free Pro offers up to 10 hours of battery life per charge (10 minutes of quick-charging provides 2 hours of playtime).

The Outlier Free Pro is also an excellent all-rounder as a daily go-to headphone, offering multipoint connectivity with Bluetooth 5.3, delivering robust connections for up to 2 Bluetooth devices at a time. There is also a low-latency mode to minimize audio-visual lag for movie-watching; users have the added convenience with a built-in microphone for calls, and Siri / Google Assistant support. Lightweight silicone and titanium memory alloy are used to construct the Outlier Free Pro, translating to all-day comfort and fit.

With the price of UK£99.99, the Outlier Free Pro presents great value which is hard to beat for its comprehensive features set.

For more information, visit creative.com/OutlierFreePro.