Israeli cyber security company Check Point beats quarterly profit estimate, ET Telecom
The Israeli-based company said it earned $2.04 per diluted share excluding one-off items in the January-March quarter, up 13% from a year earlier. Revenue grew 6% to $599 million.
Google Reveals Android Security Update That Even Beats iPhone
The clear differences between Android and iPhone are narrowing quickly—and the latest Google update has just reduced that gap even further…
Android dials app security up to 11 with new quarantine feature
It’s already clear that Android 15 will be a huge step forwards for users on the security and privacy front. The gap between iPhone and Android is closing fast, with little to choose between features and hardware. Apple’s privacy and security credentials have remained one of the last standouts—but Google is catching up.
Just as with the recent revelation that Google will provide Pixel users with warnings when their cellular devices might have been tracked or intercepted—beating iPhone at its own game, we have just seen another security innovation previewed.
In fact, the latest revelation to come from the Android 15 Beta currently doing the rounds, actually beats iPhone with a neat new security feature.
This update is app quarantining. One of the areas where Android still lags iPhone is app defense—malware and device infection. Google provides Play Protect and has shored up its Play Store, but rogue apps still manage to find a way through.
Quarantining is a halfway house between letting a potentially dangerous app run wild on a device and deleting it completely. Instead, Android could quarantine an app—almost like putting it into a sandbox, where it’s contained and unable to access data or functionality that might harm the user, without resorting to deletion.
This doesn’t seem like such a material change. But because deletion is so drastic, Play Protect needs a high bar before it does so automatically. That isn’t the case with quarantining, meaning the system can act more quickly and more often.
And while this will initially be seen as soft deletion, it could evolve into a setting whereby Android can act to block apps with onerous permissions or which seem to be acting out of character. Perhaps, eventually, users could even select a general privacy/risk level and have the system act accordingly.
Android 15 could bring app quarantining
Beats Studio Buds vs. Powerbeats Pro
Android’s BFF
Beats Studio Buds
Sporty pick
Powerbeats Pro
The smallest, most compact earbud produced by Beats or Apple, Beats Studio Buds are tiny but mighty. They provide a minimal look while producing a beautiful clear sound complete with active noise cancellation.
Pros
- Wider soundstage with more clarity and detail
- Works well with both Android and iOS
- Active noise cancellation and Transparency mode
- Lower price
Cons
- Lack of H1 chips means less Apple-centric features
- Fit is less secure
- Not ideal for phone calls in loud environments
Athletes will love the secure, no-fail fit of the Powerbeats Pro with a long wingtip to keep it firmly in place. This earbud also brings a good solid bass sound and the benefits of Apple’s H1 chip.
Pros
- Super secure fit
- H1 chip brings many of Apple’s latest sound features
- Bass-forward sound
- Excellent microphone and phone calls
Cons
- Less comfortable
- No active noise cancellation
- More expensive
When you’re comparing Beats to Beats, it’s always a case of great versus awesome. The brand has long been an innovator in the audio industry, and now that they’ve joined forces with Apple, the sound is unstoppable. Each earbud model has its own strengths and weaknesses, though, and it seems as though Beats is trying to reach different demographics by creating varied earbuds for different types of people. If you’re trying to decide between the two, it’s time to figure out what your “earbud personality” is, so to speak.
Beats Studio Buds vs. Powerbeats Pro: Key differences
Source: iMore
Although they come from the same manufacturer, the similarities between the Studio Buds and the Powerbeats Pro are few and far between. As all Beats earphones, both sets charge via USB-C cable with no options for wireless charging. They both support some aspects of spatial audio, they have similar controls, and they come in three different colors. Other than that, you can see all the differences laid out pretty clearly.
| Beats Studio Buds | Powerbeats Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds | Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds |
| Chip | MediaTek TWS chip | H1 headphone chip |
| Battery life | 8 hours | 9 hours |
| Charging | USB-C wired charging | USB-C wired… |
Beats Studio Buds Review: An impressive punch for $150
As announced this morning, Apple’s lineup of truly wireless headphones is expanding today. Beats Studio Buds are available today for $149.99, and with features like Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode, they could just be the best option for buyers today looking for a more affordable option than AirPods Pro and Powerbeats Pro.
I’ve been using Beats Studio Buds for the past two weeks, and there are some interesting compromises here, including a mysterious custom Beats chipset instead of Apple’s own W1 or H1 chip. Head below for my thoughts.
Beats Studio Buds specs
- Available in three colors: black, white, and red
- “Hey Siri” support
- Sweat and water resistant with an IPX4 rating
- Fast pairing on iOS and Android
- Find My app integration
- 5 hours of battery life with ANC or Transparency enabled, 8 hours without either enabled. 24 hours of combined playback with the charging case, which features a USB-C port.
- Available to order today for $149.99
Compact design
Beats Studio Buds feature a lightweight and compact design, which is one of the primary selling points compared to the bulkier and more expensive Powerbeats Pro. The trade-off here, of course, is that the Beats Studio Buds don’t feature ear hooks like Powerbeats Pro. This means Beats Studio Buds might not be as secure in your ear, but it’s what allows them (and their charging case) to be so compact.
The Beats Studio Buds feature an in-ear design similar to AirPods Pro, but without the stem. The lack of a stem is what differentiates Beats Studio Buds from AirPods Pro in terms of design, but rumors suggest AirPods Pro will be redesigned as soon as sometime next year with a similar stem-less design.
If it were me, I’d choose the compact and in-ear design of Beats Studio Buds over the larger and ear hook design of Powerbeats Pro. The more apt comparison here are AirPods Pro, which come in at $100 more expensive.
As far as fit is concerned, the Beats Studio Buds feature an in-ear design, again similar to AirPods Pro. You get three different ear tip sizes to choose from in the box, so there’s quite a bit of versatility when it comes to finding the perfect fit.
I’ve been testing Beats Studio Buds…