Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra - It Really Is Pretty Ultra

As far as I'm concerned, Samsung is king when it comes to smartwatches. There were Samsung watches on sale years ahead of most other companies even considering bringing something to market.

However, with the change to WearOS a couple of generations back, the door was open for other Android-based ecosystems to take their bites of the wearable pie; in terms of design, Samsung was still head of the pack. In terms of useability though, things began to tighten up a bit.

Meanwhile, over in i-land, they launched a completely new kind of watch; with a longer-lasting battery and virtually indestructible.

Suddenly Samsung was having gauntlets thrown down from all directions, so a response was inevitable.

I thought the Galaxy Watch Ultra was going to be ugly. I'd seen leaked images online, hinting at the round face on top of a squircle (square with rounded corners) case. Strictly speaking, those images were accurate - although once I saw the Galaxy Watch Ultra in real life and put it on my wrist, it actually seemed quite styley - albeit in a rugged, sporty sort of way. That's fine; the whole idea of this watch is to be rugged and sporty.

I still don't understand why you would put a round face on what is essentially a square watch. My only theory (and this is just a theory) is that maybe next year's version will have a square screen to match and Samsung is just trying to get its fans used to the idea, step by step.

Samsung's software team and any WearOS app developers would also have to get used to the idea of a square face too.

Whatever the reason, the result is, I don't hate it. In fact, since I've been wearing it I've received an unusually high number of compliments, so it's possible this is actually a really good-looking watch. (I have the Titanium Grey version with orange Marine Band - but you can also opt for Titanium Silver or Titanium White)

The other slightly controversial thing Samsung has done here is forgone the infamous rotating bezel control. Samsung's design team keeps giving us this feature and taking it away, depending on which model or year it is. In 2024 we're not allowed it - even the cheaper, more traditional Galaxy Watch 7 only offers virtual, on-screen bezel controls. Who knows, maybe there'll be such an outcry Samsung will come up with a Galaxy Watch Ultra Classic next year?

Anyway, for most people, this won't be a dealbreaker and it probably helps the Galaxy Watch Ultra maintain its rather impressive durability standards; it's IP68 rated for water and dust resistance, it'll withstand 10ATM of water pressure, extreme cold, extreme heat and up to 9,000 metres altitude. 

The battery life is very good - although as with most devices that'll depend on how you use it. Obviously, if you run it with AOD mode on, connected to Bluetooth earbuds and use GPS location for hours on end, you're still going to need a top-up by the end of the day. But there's a power-saving mode that can eke things out to 100 hours - it all depends. One thing you won't be doing with this Galaxy watch is charging it on the back of your phone.

Like the rotating bezel, I wonder if Samsung has discovered "Wireless Powershare" is a feature not many people were using. It's a moot point because the new band system on the Galaxy Watch Ultra would make it virtually impossible anyway. Samsung calls this the Dynamic Lug System - it means you can remove the band with a single press of a button and put a replacement one on just by pushing it into place. This works well and is perhaps the most user-friendly watchband arrangement I've come across yet. Pity all those old bands won't fit this watch though. Oh well.

Of course, Samsung has a range of different bands suited to different conditions; Marine, Trail and PeakForm - and don't worry, it looks like there are already plenty of 3rd-party options popping up online.

But back to just how tough this particular Ultra is... the titanium casing is packed with specially designed cushioning to protect the inner workings from major impacts and the Sapphire Crystal glass is basically impervious to scratches and cracks. Belive me, I'm pretty hard on my wearables (not because I'm particularly extreme, just because I'm extremely clumsy) and I've been wearing this watch for a week or two now and it still looks absolutely brand new.

There's a very powerful processor running Samsung's latest version of WearOS and the large display is extremely bright and clear. This makes it a great way to sort through messages and emails without having to take your phone out of your pocket. In fact, if you're on the right phone plan, you don't even need your phone with you at all, which is pretty handy if you're hiking, cycling, running etc.

There are all the usual sensors to monitor all the usual metrics, from heart rate to blood pressure. Every time a new Galaxy Watch comes out, there's another way they've come up with to show me how unfit I am. For instance, do you know what Functional Threshold Power is? If you're a serious cyclist you probably do, and yes, the Galaxy Watch Ultra has you covered.

The Dual-Frequency GPS means your navigation and route tracing are as accurate as possible, no matter how remote - or built up - your location. And not only does this device have fall detection but it also comes with a surprisingly loud siren, if your extreme adventures end up being more extreme and adventurous than you'd bargained on.

Which brings us to the final upgrade to this new form factor for Samsung - the Quick Button, a fully customisable shortcut button which can be used for your favourite function. For me, that's an Outdoor Walk workout. This is the button you push for 5 seconds to activate the siren. Great button. Except... it's in the wrong place. The Quick button has been wedged in between the other two more traditional controls on the right-hand side of the watch. I don't know why all three buttons had to be so close together on such a large watch. In fact, I don't know why the Quick Button couldn't have been located on the left side instead. Unfortunately, this has caused me to fire off my favourite workout several times by mistake... in the middle of the night... when I'm in bed and was just trying to check the time.

This is a shame because the sleep tracking is next level - especially combined with Samsung's new AI-powered insights. The Galaxy Watch Ultra now alerts you if anything is seriously out of balance with your "Energy Score" - this is an aggregation of just about everything the watch is monitoring and guess what? Mine is always out of whack because of a lack of sleep. The joys of working in breakfast radio, I guess.

Overall, I'm more impressed than I thought I would be with The Galaxy Watch Ultra. From leaked photos and early reviews, I was expecting this device to be an overhyped, cosmetically different version of the existing Galaxy Watch line but that's not the case. This is a genuinely tough, go anywhere, do anything wearable and my only real quibble is the position of a very useful button which I'm sure I'll get used to over time.

What's more, everyone keeps telling me how cool it looks, so there's no way I'm taking it off now.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra.

Amazon Echo 5 (3rd generation) - Smaller But Bigger

Why do they have to keep bringing out new models of things?

Okay, stupid question. I get that it's a marketing thing. If you can convince your existing customers the new version is somehow so much better than the one they already own, they might upgrade.

But it does mean sometimes the differences are pretty inconsequential... that maybe the only reason they're bringing out a new thing is because it was time to bring out a new thing.

Believe it or not, Amazon Echo devices don't seem to follow that trend. Yes, Amazon launches new and updated devices every year - but not necessarily the same product lines. Generally speaking, it really seems new generations only come out when there are tangible feature advances to inspire an upgrade.

The Amazon Echo Show 5 is a classic case in point. Back in mid 2021, the 2nd-gen Show 5 more than justified its existence with vastly improved camera performance and the ability to view its feed from another location.

Now the 3rd-generation of the smallest Echo Show has literally broken the mould. By that I mean not only does it look quite different, the sound quality has improved dramatically.

Let's start there. Amazon promises the larger driver built into the new Show 5 will deliver "deeper bass and clearer vocals." That is objectively absolutely true. But it's more than that. Something about this latest design bounces the sound around the room (even large rooms) in a much richer, more satisfying way. I'm not claiming chest-thumping bass vibration or anything like that but within the first few seconds of streaming some of my favourite tracks, I could detect a major improvement.

"Elegantly Wasted" by INXS is an interesting track because the funk guitar riffs are mixed fairly cleanly, without much effect. Michael Hutchence pours his lively lead vocal over the top and once the gang BVs join in for the main hook with the rest of the band it's a busy little number. Yet I had no trouble picking all these elements out from across the room.

I keep my Echo Show 5 in the kitchen, on top of the microwave. While this is a questionable position when it comes to Wi-Fi reception (not that I've experienced any issues) it's convenient for the odd hands-free recipe request and it's the perfect place when I want to ask Alexa to set a timer. It also works to the new speaker's advantage - the open cabinet acts as a sort of passive amplifier, collecting up any stray sound from behind and reflecting it back out again.

As I mentioned, this third incarnation of the Show 5 has a distinct new look - while it's still wedge shaped it's much narrower at the back - partly because it no longer has to accomodate that mysterious USB-C slot nobody knew what to do with. The soft fabric covering the back of the device, available in Charcoal, White or Cloud Blue, now stretches right to the edges of the display, resulting in much cleaner, more modern lines.

This means the whole device is a bit smaller than its predecessor, even though the touch display is still 5.5-inches and the speaker is larger and more powerful.

The MediaTek chip running the Show 5 is also a step up and this is evident when setting up the speaker and connecting to Wi-Fi etc. On the other hand, when navigating the home screen or scrolling through the settings menu operation is still annoyingly laggy. I get that this isn't a smartphone we're dealing with but when you're used to instantaneous touch-screen responses, any kind of lag or delay is pretty unforgivable.

Thankfully, the speed of Alexa's responses to spoken commands does seem snappier - due in part to the addition of another mic, now creating a triple array, listening out for your next request.

And if that request is something to do with other smart devices in your home, the Show 5 also acts as a Matter controller, so most recent smart-home gadgets should respond in good time.

There's been no obvious upgrade to the video camera - still a meagre 2MP effort - but at least you can use it to video-chat with other Echo-owners you know or do a little remote check on things when you're out.

It goes without saying you'll find most of the other features other, larger Echo Shows have to offer - use it as a photo frame, play games, view security camera feeds and set shortcuts to control your favourite IoT devices.

The buttons on the top are now tactile symbols you can feel in the dark - a plus, a minus and a mute (to stop Alexa listening) and thanks to its smaller-than-before size, the Show 5 makes a better-than-ever bedside clock and yes, it knows when you've turned off the light so will darken the screen. This is a "smart" device, after all. 

But for me, it's just a great speaker for a bit of background music while I'm cooking dinner.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd-generation).

Oppo Watch X - The Other Premium Smartwatch

I'm definitely a smartwatch guy. I've been wearing them for years and I've embraced every update, enhancement and new feature along the way. So much so that nowadays if I'm reviewing a wearable that doesn't offer a wide selection of the latest tricks, it'll lose my attention pretty fast.

My minimum requirements?

Two-way interaction: I need to be able to reply to messages and emails as well as just read them.

Contactless payment: I need to be able to leave my phone at home when I'm walking the dog and still be able to pay for a coffee while I'm out.

One-touch shortcuts: This is a bit precious, but once you've had the ability to fire off your favourite workout with a single button press, it's hard to go back.

Reliable media controls: This is a complicated one and I'll come back to it.

Clear display in all conditions: Rain or shine, inside or out, day or night, sunglasses or not - you must always be able to read your watch at a glance.

And obviously all that health and fitness tracking carry-on is important too.

Here's the thing; get most of that stuff right and you'll probably reduce the time you spend on your actual phone by minutes - if not hours - a day.

Wouldn't it be great if you could get all that in a watch that actually looks stylish too?

When it comes to shaking up the duopoly of mobile tech in New Zealand, Oppo has made a bit of a habit of it, consistently turning out stylish phones with genuine flagship photo performance and unmatched charging abilities.

But it's been almost four years since I last trialled an Oppo watch. As we all know, four years is a long time in tech. Has Oppo managed to lift its smartwatch game accordingly?

If the Oppo Watch X is anything to go by, the answer is definitely yes.

Available in Mars Brown (with silver stainless steel case) or Platinum Black (with dark stainless steel case) the Watch X has a classic style to it. Although the bands are made of a substance known as "fluororubber," they look like leather from a distance, yet they're far more comfortable and totally waterproof.

The Sapphire Crystal Glass covering the 1.43-inch AMOLED display is extremely tough. I'm famous for bashing up my watches due to my congenital klutziness. In fact, I managed to put a big scratch in my first Oppo Watch back in 2020 within about five minutes of putting it on. Not this time. 

In fact, when it comes to durability, the Oppo Watch X stacks up toe-to-toe with other so-called "Ultra" smartwatches on the market. It carries an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, can handle depths of up to 5ATM in pressure and also carries the 810H Military Standard which means it can withstand extreme temperatures and mountainous heights.

All while looking more like a fashion piece than something from an army surplus store.

The first thing to catch my eye was the unusual right-hand housing for the two side buttons, ergonomically positioned for use with thumb and forefinger of the opposite hand and yes, one of these is indeed a programmable "Quick Action Button." 

Although fairly large, the Watch X is quite curvy in its design, with the band sloping away smoothly from the face. The result is it doesn't feel at all bulky or unwieldy which makes it a fantastic device to wear to bed for sleep-tracking.

Of course, the real key to a reliable sleep-tracking wearable is battery life - no point wearing something to bed that needs charging every night. This is an area where Oppo (as usual) has not just matched but has exceeded what other manufacturers are offering. I'll get two, if not three days use from the Watch X without any power-saving settings on. Better still, it doesn't take long to charge, using the supplied magnetic puck. (This connects to a standard USB-C cable, by the way, just to make things as easy as possible) So I tend to just pop the watch on for a quick top-up at some point during the day then wear it all night for sleep tracking and its silent, vibrating alarm - meaning less partner disturbance, always a priority.

It isn't just sleep the Watch X is keeping an eye on - also heart rate, blood oxygen, snoring risk and breathing rate. All this info appears in a daily report you can access on the watch itself, or in even more detail on Oppo's OHealth app, the app you'll need to download in order to pair the Watch X with your phone.

When it comes to activity tracking and sports training, there are more than 100 sports modes - from running, cycling and swimming to badminton, ski-ing and various gym machines. There are plenty of metrics to delve into here too... pace, cadence, aerobic training effect, recovery time - you can even assess your running posture.

And being a Wear OS device, you have access to a whole world of other apps if the native fitness monitoring isn't what you're used to.

Personally, I really like the way everything is clearly set out on screen - especially when walking or running outside. The large, AMOLED display is easy to see - even in bright sunlight wearing sunglasses - and the layout is quite customisable. For example. If you're more interested in steps and calories burned, you can move those into place instead of duration or average pace.

Just as with the sleep-tracking, you can immediately access your workout scores on the watch itself or do a deep-dive in the OHealth app - including a GPS-created route of your run/cycle/walk etc.

But it's the smart stuff that impressed me the most about the Watch X; rich notifications including thumbnails from my security cameras. Google Wallet set up in no time for contactless payments. The ability to reply to texts, emails, Messenger and WhatsApp, right from the watch itself. And yes, a media controller that will start, stop, fast-forward and rewind my podcasts without having to open my phone.

The only thing missing here is an LTE version I can load with its own eSIM so it can take calls and connect to the network without having to be paired with my phone via Bluetooth.

Style, comfort, durability, sleep, health and exercise tracking and yes, two-way interaction with messaging and email apps - every area in which I expected to be slightly disappointed I came away rather impressed instead. And as for battery life, this is definitely the longest lasting watch with this many premium features I've worn yet.

Best of all, it doesn't have to be paired with an Oppo phone - any Android device will do.

At NZ$599.00, the Watch X is not the cheapest contender in the New Zealand smartwatch market but it's definitely a contender. It's a comfortable, elegant wearable that ticks just about every box.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the Oppo Watch X.

HP OMEN Transcend 14 - Frustratingly Beautiful

I always feel a bit of a fraud when it comes to testing gaming laptops. I'm not really much of a gamer and I'm pretty easily satisfied when it comes to fancy graphics.

However, I do do a lot of audio production and a reasonable amount of video editing; tasks that are also greatly enhanced with a bit of extra RAM and processing power.

So I was pretty excited to get my hands on the latest powerhouse from HP.

I was even more excited to extract my review OMEN Transcend 14 gaming laptop from its box and discover it was a Ceramic White colour - all very funky and modern-looking to match its somewhat chunky design and sci-fi-looking O14 logos. (Also available in Shadow Black)

That tingle of tech-anticipation only intensified as I powered it up and was immediately presented with a rainbow-lit RGB keyboard - fully customisable, of course.

But the real star of the show here is the display, a sumptuous 14-inch OLED panel powered by a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU.

This screen really is a thing of beauty and when you use the pre-installed OMEN Gaming Hub app to wind everything up for maximum performance, classy games like Forza and Gotham Knights look like you're watching a movie. The light, shade and 3D-textured surfaces aren't just clear, they have a genuine depth to them other LCD displays can't compete with.

The 16:10 aspect ratio is that nice compromise between the more productive real estate of a squarer form factor and the wide-screen viewing experience of a 16:9 panel.

Sound-wise the OMEN Transcend 14 definitely comes to the party too, with a clear, precise and powerful, dual DTS-X speaker array.

And I really like the position of the USB-C and HDMI ports in the centre at the back, so you can keep at least two cables tucked neatly out of the way.

There's another Thunderbolt USB-C on the left-hand side and two more USB-As on the right.

The HP True Vision 1080p FHD IR camera does a fair job - offering advanced video features like auto-framing and Eye Contact (making you look as though you're looking at the viewer - not above them at the camera). The camera also works very efficiently for Windows Hello face-unlocking - it seemed to recognise me from varying distances, angles and light conditions.

The built-in mics are also worth a mention - complete with the ability to reduce background noise and room echo.

There's no doubt this is a fantastic gaming device and it should be - the variant I'm using right now has all the high-end components and goes for about five-and-a-half grand.

But...

With a ginormous 32GB of RAM and the reputable Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor running the show, I have to admit, I was expecting to be a bit more blown away by the OMEN Transcend 14's performance. I've tested enough high-spec gaming machines like this to expect a lot of fan noise and bad battery life - and this one certainly fails to improve much in either of those areas. Still, the one thing you'd hope to achieve by spending this much money on a laptop is plenty of grunt and frankly... I just wasn't feeling it.

And I'm no uber-power user. I'm talking about experiencing lag with a few apps running and several browser windows open. Admittedly, I have generally been using it plugged into my USB hub and running an external monitor for a dual display but I would expect a souped-up device like this to handle that sort of external load no problem at all. Instead, I've run into all sorts of stutters, most frustratingly when recording video, necessitating multiple retakes and overdubs. Sometimes, even just typing this review proved a chore as I experienced an unworkable delay between keystrokes and characters appearing on the screen. All very weird. Unplugging my second monitor and the USB hub seemed to make everything run as normal again.

I mentioned the bad battery and I'm not kidding. Sure, I've cranked the settings up for peak performance but these days its not uncommon for a laptop to last you six hours or more. I guess that's the price you pay running a super-bright OLED display, an RGB keyboard and a dedicated sound module. 

The OMEN Transcend 14 comes with a rather large external power supply in the box and I suggest you keep it handy. It delivers 140W which you'll need because the 100W PD my USB hub spits out certainly wasn't enough to charge it while I was using it. (Although it did eventually get to 100% when sitting idle)

So I'm torn. I love the way this laptop looks, especially in Ceramic White. The RGB keyboard is a nice bit of fun and the extreme gaming performance is more fun still. And yet the fan noise is persistent, the battery life is plain bad and the drop in performance once I added a few accessories and another screen was mystifying.

When you're paying at least NZ$3997.00 (for the base model) you'd think running a second display and having a few browser windows open would be like a hot knife through butter but that just hasn't been my experience. If all you want to do is game, this is a great way to do it. When it comes to productivity solutions, there might be better options.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the HP OMEN Transcend 14.

Nanoleaf Essentials Matter Smart Multicolour HD Lightstrip - Nanoleaf's Most Versatile Product Yet

I've tested out many Nanoleaf products over the years and when it comes to smart lighting solutions, there aren't many manufacturers who have as big a range or who consistently think outside the box.

Apart from basic light bulbs, we've seen various shapes, lines and recently, even ceiling panels.

Over time, Nanoleaf has continued to refine and evolve its underlying technology, improving reliability and connectivity with 3rd-party smart home ecosystems.

And while we have seen lightstrips from Nanoleaf before, we've never seen one with this level of functionality...

The Nanoleaf Essentials Matter Smart Multicolour HD Lightstrip is obviously one of the worst names for a product ever. I'm not sure who thought it was a good idea to simply list off all the things this lightstrip can do and call it that. Like I say, this isn't the first Nanoleaf lightstrip I've reviewed, so they're not making things any less confusing by calling it something so hard to remember.

However, I can't deny that it is very colourful, Matter-enabled and is easily one of the smarter lights I've ever used.

The main thing setting this version apart from the original Matter Lightstrip is it gives you the ability to control each LED separately. In fact, that sets it apart from most other lightstrips, full-stop. Those other lightstrips can only change colour section by section whereas Nanoleaf's new HD strip has 60 LEDs per metre, each of which is its own, programmable zone.

That doesn't mean you have to tell all 300 LEDs over the 5 metre length what to do individually but it does mean motion effects look far more convincing, as your favourite colour races from one end of the lightstrip and back again, for example.

As usual, the Nanoleaf app (Android or iOS) has an impressive selection of pre-programmed animations to choose from - exactly like when you're setting up a room with multiple bulbs in the ceiling - except on a single lightstrip it seems so much more spectacular. You can use one of these as a starting point for your own creation, altering the colours, speed and type of animation. Recently, Nanoleaf even added an AI generator function that creates unique scenes based on text prompts - why not try "Crazy Pineapple Fireworks?" 

The Multicolour HD Lightstrip can also react to sound, through its controller and of course, the colours don't have to move or flash at all; in many cases you might just want to settle on one static colour and leave it at that. After all, there are over 16 million to choose from, not to mention being able to change the temperature of plain old white.

Installation is a breeze - while you get a 5 metre length in the box, it's easily trimmable and there's a self-adhesive backing running along the entire lightstrip. Because it connects to the controller via a single USB-C cable, you only need the smallest of holes to feed this through if you're intending to install your lightstrip in cabinetry or under benchtops.

Of course, many consumers choose a device like this to backlight their TVs or PC monitors and while this is an easy strip to install that way, it wouldn't be my first choice for TV backlighting as there's no way to sync it with the images on screen - Nanoleaf has another device for this; the 4D Screen Mirror camera. For Mac or PC it's a different story; there's a desktop Nanoleaf app which will mirror your on-screen action as long as you're on the same Wi-Fi network.

At just NZ$139.99 (if not on special), this probably makes the Multicolour HD Lightstrip the most cost-effective way to add this kind of immersive lighting to your Mac or PC.

And because it's Matter-enabled, the Multicolour HD Lightstrip can be controlled via pretty much every smart assistant going, including Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThings.

In fact, during my testing I've got myself into a bit of a mess a few times because there are just so many ways to control this device - for example, if you're controlling it through Matter via an Apple HomePod, it seems to get a bit confused if you suddenly try to access it from the desktop Nanoleaf app over Wi-Fi. And who could blame it for getting a bit confused? I'm thinking this will really only be an issue for nerds like me who are trying to test it out in every possible situation - not for a more "typical" owner who probably only has one specific use in mind.

This is easily the most versatile and customisable way to achieve an ambient lighting solution in your home or workplace, at a very reasonable price. Its ultra-compatibility means it can fit in with other smart routines and schedules, responding to different cues like time of day, who's home and what movement, sounds or temperatures other smart devices are detecting.

And best of all, because every single LED is it's own programmable zone, there's an infinite list of patterns, rhythms and colour combinations for you to choose from. Frankly, it's my favourite Nanoleaf product yet.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the Nanoleaf Essentials Matter Smart Multicolour HD Lightstrip.

JBL Auracast Speakers - Making Multi-Room Audio Affordable and Easy

Since the moment I digitised my music library (yes, that means pre-streaming - back when you had to rip actual CDs onto a hard drive) it has been my goal to be able to access that library from every room in the house.

Yes, even way back then, you could wire a sound system into the walls and ceilings of your home. It was expensive and complicated but if you had the resources, you could do it.

On the other hand, being a tech nerd on a fairly modest income, I thought for sure there had to be a way to achieve the same thing wirelessly. There was... but it involved some pretty random bits of cobbled-together hardware and it only worked about thirty per cent of the time.

It wasn't until the advent of affordable smart speakers, a decade or so later, that I really started to see a way to reliably play my favourite tracks everywhere at the same time, in any room or even outside.

There were still limitations though - most smart speakers aren't portable and they rely on a fixed Wi-Fi connection.

Well, JBL's new range of portable bluetooth speakers has introduced me to a new kind of connectivty which has completely unleashed my home listening experience.

The Go 4, Clip 5 and Xtreme 4 are all excellent JBL speakers in their own right.

As JBL's smallest portable, the Go has been a favourite little powerhouse of mine for a few generations now and this latest model steps things up with even more surprising bass response than ever before - I still can't figure out how they squeeze so much power from such a tiny package. A speaker of this size should sound thin and tinny but the Go 4 just doesn't.

It's more durable than ever too - gone are the unforgiving sharp corners of earlier incarnations - now everything's rubberised and rugged, with an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating to boot.

There are six colour combinations to choose from, and like the previous model, it has a useful (and durable) loop built into the top right corner so you can attach it to your belt, backpack or whatever.

While seven hours playback on a full charge isn't exactly world-beating, it's pretty solid for a speaker this small and weirdly it has a Playtime Boost button which not only increases volume and sharpens the EQ slightly, somehow it's supposed to extend battery life by up to two hours too. I have to admit, I haven't tested this scientifically but... well... cool, I guess.

You'll also find Playtime Boost on the Clip 5 - this time extending 12 hours playback to as much as 15. Like the Go 4, the new Clip also comes in six colourways and it's equally water and dustproof.

The Clip 5 packs quite a bit more punch than the smaller Go 4 and I found it to be a very useful travel companion on a recent overseas holiday. The totally redesigned carabiner at the top now opens wide enough to fit the Clip onto pretty much anything, from handlebars to shower heads.

Finally, for a bigger, boombox-like experience, the Xtreme 4 steps in - also rugged and rubbery, also IP67 and yes, it also boasts the new Playtime Boost feature. This time around the power savings are quite amazing - another 6 hours on top of the 24 hours you can expect from a full charge, which in itself was already a significant upgrade over the Xtreme 3. 

This is quite a feature-packed (and power-packed) device. There's a comfy shoulder strap included with a handy bottle-opener buckle and rubber grip lines underneath to help keep it in place while you're on the move.

You can charge other devices (like your phone) from the built-in power pack and because it ships with a very high-capacity charging brick in the box, it actually charges much faster than many other portable speakers - just ten minutes charge should get you another two hours playback.

There are two woofers, two big drivers and dual bass radiators, so if you're after a bit of woomp woomp woomp in your life, the Xtreme 4 can definitely deliver.

All three of these new JBL devices are heavily endowed with recycled materials and environmentally-friendly packaging. All three are Bluetooth 5.3 enabled - which means a stronger, more reliable connection. And they all also connect to the JBL Portable app for easy firmware upgrades and EQ tweaks. Yes, you can even customise the EQ on the little Go 4.

But for me, the big news here is Auracast, a whole new way of connecting bluetooth devices together which could well revolutionise the way we think about multi-speaker and multi-room setups.

Auracast has been designed to allow any enabled device to connect to the same source, regardless of the model, form factor or manufacturer. The potential here is pretty huge - imagine everyone listening to the same TV show with their own headphones at their own personal volume.

This is different to previous JBL and Harman/Kardon connection protocols like PartyBoost - that was only for certain JBL/HK speakers. Auracast is much more brand and device-agnostic.

And it's so easy.

Just a press of the triangular Auracast logo on any (or all) of these speakers and they're instantly paired, playing the same song. This means when you use Auracast to connect the Go 4 and Clip 5 together, suddenly you have a much bigger, room-filling sound. Add the Xtreme 4 into the mix and suddenly all that extra power and bass response is also at your disposal.

Thanks to the superior range offered by Bluetooth 5.3, you're not limited to using all those speakers in the same room either. Just like that, all my multi-room fantasies are realised. I can stick each one of these speakers in a separate room, playing from the same source, all sounding great. The whole system comes in at under NZ$700.00. The Go 4 is only NZ$69.95 so you could conceivably plonk one in every room without breaking the bank.

Auracast means a much more modular, come-and-go approach to home audio and I'm excited to see what brands like JBL will do with it next.

    

Click here for more information on the JBL Go 4.

Click here for more information on the JBL Clip 5.

Click here for more information on the JBL Xtreme 4.