One of the best things about Amazon’s Echo smart speakers is that they don’t rely on your phone to operate. Once you are done setting up the Echo speaker, it can be operated entirely with your voice. From playing music from your preferred music streaming service to helping you get through your day-to-day tasks, your Echo speaker can do all that and more with just your voice. But did you know that you can also connect your Echo speakers via Bluetooth or a 3.5mm audio jack to your Windows computer? In this article, we’ll tell you how to connect your Windows computer to an Amazon Echo smart speaker in a few easy steps.
Connecting your Windows Computer to Amazon Echo
In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to connect an Echo Dot 4th gen speaker to your Windows computer. We’ll pair the Echo speaker to the Windows computer via Bluetooth and use it as an audio output device. If you don’t have a Bluetooth-enabled Windows computer, then you can also connect your Echo device to the Windows computer via a 3.5mm audio cable and use it as audio output. Either way, your Echo speaker will continue to stay connected to your home network and work with your voice for other commands, in addition to serving as an audio output device for your Windows computer.
How to connect your Windows computer to Amazon Echo
As far as the prerequisites are concerned, just make sure your Amazon Echo device is online and is registered to your account. You’ll also need a Bluetooth-enabled Windows computer for this to work, of course. Once you have everything you need, you’re all set to connect your Windows computer to Amazon Echo. Here’s how to do it:
Open the web browser on your Windows computer and visit alexa.amazon.com to log in to your account.
Now, select Settings in the sidebar menu on the left, then choose your Echo speaker from the list of devices.
On the next page, select Bluetooth.
After that, choose Pair a new device option to make Alexa search for available devices.
As Alexa is searching for new Bluetooth devices, open the Bluetooth settings on your Windows computer and select Add device.
Choose Bluetooth in the pop-up window, and select your Echo device in the list of devices.
Simply select Done on the confirmation screen, and your computer will then be paired to your Echo speaker via Bluetooth. You will, however, have to go back to the Settings page on your computer and connect the speaker once again by pressing the three-dot icon to enable it as an audio output device.
Once the Echo speaker is connected to your computer via Bluetooth, you can start using it as an audio output device to listen to music, watch movies and TV shows, and more.
Alternatively, you can connect your Echo speaker with your Windows computer via a 3.5mm audio cable too. Your computer should recognize the Echo speaker as an audio output device which you can confirm by heading over to the Sound settings in Windows.
These are two simple ways with which you can connect your Windows computer to your Echo speaker. With these methods, your Echo speaker will serve as an output device for your computer, and work independently with your voice commands too as long as it’s registered and connected to your home network.
We used an Echo Dot 4th gen speaker to connect to our Windows machine in this tutorial, but the process remains the same for other Echo devices too. This method won’t work for companion Echo devices such as the Echo Sub, but you should be fine as long as you’re using a standard Echo speaker that supports Bluetooth and has a 3.5mm port for the alternate connection. If you don’t have an Echo speaker and you’re confused between all the options, then we suggest you check out the Echo Dot speaker. It’s a great speaker to purchase for those who are new to the world of Echo speakers.
Earlier this week, Xiaomi introduced the Xiaomi 12S series, which as the “S” signifier suggests, is an iterative update to the Xiaomi 12 series that launched back in March. Usually in smartphone land, once a company updates a phone series, the previous line is either discontinued entirely or fades into the background. For example, when Apple released the iPhone 5S, it stopped promoting the iPhone 5. When Huawei launched the Mate XS, it stopped selling the Mate X.
But not Xiaomi, which has a habit of releasing phones with confusing naming schemes. The latest device to come from this prolific phone maker is the Xiaomi 12 Lite, meaning this is a variant of the 12 series from March, not the 12S series that was just announced.
Confused? Most of us are. But say what you will about Xiaomi’s convoluted naming schemes, there’s no denying it makes some of the best mid-range phones. As I said in my recent Poco F4 review, Xiaomi’s mid-range phones in the $300-$500 range are generally better than anyone else’s phones in this range, including and particularly Samsung’s.
Xiaomi 12 Lite: Pricing and Availability
The Xiaomi 12 Lite will be available on XXX. Prices will vary from region to region, but will be about equivalent to below figures in US dollars.
About this review: Xiaomi sent me a Xiaomi 12 Lite for testing. This review was written after three weeks of using the device on and off, including a week as my main phone. Xiaomi did not have input in this review.
Xiaomi 12 Lite: Hardware and Design
The Xiaomi 12 Lite is a thin and lightweight phone measuring 7.29mm thick and weighing just 173g. While the 6.55-inch screen is still considered large by some, the phone feels very compact to me, someone used to carrying 6.7- or 6.8-inch flagships that weight over 200g.
The phone’s flat front and back make for a boxier phone than the typical Android fare, and it makes the phone very easy to hold. I’m usually not a big fan of flat-screened phones (I know, I know, I’m the anomaly in the tech reviewing space) because flat screens often have pointy, slightly sharp edges (where the display meets the chassis), with the best example being the iPhone 12 and 13 series.
The Xiaomi 12 Lite, like last year’s 11 Lite, works around this by adding a subtle chamfering to the edges of the phone, so the result is a flat panel phone that still feels slightly rounded at the edges. It certainly digs into my palm much less than the iPhone 13 Pro phones.
Look closely and you can see Xiaomi 12 Lite’s edges (top) don’t end in a sharp 90-degree angle like the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s (bottom).
The 6.55-inch screen is a 2400 x 1800 OLED panel with symmetrical bezels, meaning the bottom chin bezel isn’t noticeably thicker than the top. This is a relatively recent development in the Android scene, and it’s usually reserved for flagships only. For example, Samsung and OnePlus’ flagship phones give you symmetrical bezels, but drop down a price level to the Galaxy As, the Galaxy FEs, or the OnePlus Nords, and you will see the thicker chin. It’s a cost-cutting measure by Samsung and OnePlus, as it takes more effort and technical skills to manufacture/assemble a phone without that extra chin bezel space. This is an example of Xiaomi offering flagship-like flourishes at mid-range price points when other brands do not.
Another area where this is clear, at least to a trained reviewer like me who knows where to nitpick, is in the vibration motor. The Xiaomi 12 Lite’s haptics are excellent and flagship level. Again, with Samsung and OnePlus devices, you get great haptics only at the flagship level.
Symmetrical bezels are usually reserved for flagship phones, but Xiaomi is giving you flagship-like flourishes at mid-range prices
There’s an optical in-display scanner under the display, along with a hole-punch housing a 32MP selfie camera. Both of these (the scanner and selfie cameras) work fine. Like most recent Xiaomi phones, the speaker grilles are also located at the top and bottom of the phone for a more symmetrical sound output compared to many phones.
Flip the phone around and you get a matte glass finish that comes in three colors. I’m a fan of the light blue, almost green, finish on my unit. The colorway also stretches over the chassis too so you get a uniform color scheme. While the front screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 5, the back glass panel is just normal glass without any specific reinforcement. Xiaomi includes a clear jelly case with the packaging though for those who may want to use a case. Overall, I think the Xiaomi 12 Lite looks and feels great in the hand, which is not something I usually say about phones that are not flagships (yeah I know, I know, I’m spoiled).
Internals
The Xiaomi 12 Lite is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage. This is a 6nm silicon that supports 5G connectivity. The memory standards are where we see the first signs of corner-cutting, as they’re not the latest standards: LPDDR4X and UFS 2.2. This means the phone won’t load things as fast as phones using LPDDR5 or UFS 3.1. I’ll talk a bit more about this in the performance section later.
There’s a 4,300 mAh battery that can be charged at 67W fast charging speeds, and the charger is included with the packaging. No wireless charging support on this phone, though.
Xiaomi 12 Lite: Cameras
The Xiaomi 12 Lite’s rear camera system consists of a 108MP camera using Samsung’s HM2 sensor; an 8MP ultra-wide; and a 2MP macro sensor.
The main camera uses a 1/1.52-inch sensor, which is respectable — not huge, but not too small either. With an f/1.8 aperture and Xiaomi’s proven software processing, shots can appear very nice. Maybe even flagship quality to untrained eyes. For example, look at the below samples, captured by the Xiaomi 12 Lite and the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Xiaomi’s shot is actually less noisy.
If you want to look at the full-size images to pixel peep yourself, I uploaded all the samples shown in this article in this Flickr album below.
The main camera produces shots with lively colors, solid dynamic range, and a bit of bokeh if I get close enough to a subject/object. At night, the phone turns on night mode automatically and shots are still pretty good at this price point. You’ll see a lot more motion blur as the phone needs to slow down the shutter speed to pull in more light.
The ultra-wide, like almost all mid-range phones’ ultra-wide, is best reserved for daytime use only, because it really struggles at night due to its small image sensor, producing night shots that are very soft on details.
That 2MP macro sensor is mostly just here for decoration, producing “macro” shots that are lacking in details and not even that close to the subject. The iPhone 13 Pro phones have the best macro lens in smartphones right now, and you can see the difference between a good macro shot and a mediocre one.
Selfies are fine; Xiaomi applies a bit of skin smoothening filters, but nowhere near as strong as Samsung’s phones. The shutter speed is a bit slow, as Xiaomi is likely using a longer exposure to help with light intake. But this does result in motion blur if anyone/anything is moving behind you.
Video capabilities are good at this price range but obviously can’t compare to higher-priced devices. The phone can shoot at up to 4K/60, but there’s no stabilization at 4K/60 or even 4K/30. But shoot at 1080/30 and you get good electronic stabilization. I’m also a fan of Xiaomi’s “clone video” shooting mode — this isn’t a new feature, but essentially the mode lets you quickly stitch together two or three videos as one so the same person can appear in the video two or three times, simultaneously. The video below includes day and night video samples, as well as a “clone video” clip.
Overall the Xiaomi 12 Lite cameras are more than satisfactory for a mid-ranger.
Xiaomi 12 Lite: Performance and Software
The Snapdragon 778G chip is widely used by mid-range phones in 2021, and for good reason. It’s a balanced performer that offers more than enough power for daily tasks and some gaming, but also isn’t a power hog nor does it run too hot. Throughout my days of use, I encountered no issues in terms of daily tasks. Apps never froze nor stuttered, I didn’t see any major slowdown like I did with the Galaxy A53.
Benchmark scores for GeekBench and PCMark are solid, but Xiaomi for some reason blocked the phone from running 3D Mark.
The lightweight, flat sides, and symmetrical speakers make the phone easy to hold and a good YouTube-watching machine when I’m walking around the apartment.
Battery life
For a thin and light phone, the Xiaomi 12 Lite battery is decent. On lighter usage days like weekdays when I’m seated at a table for chunks of the day, the 12 Lite can last a full day easily. But on weekends when I tend to be out for 12 or 13 hours and use the phone heavily (cameras, social media, streaming Spotify), the 12 Lite lasts about 11 hours, with roughly four hours of screen-on time (using 120Hz refresh rate setting), this is acceptable. The phone charges fast with the included 67W charger: 28 minutes will take it from 0-100, so a 10-minute top-up in the late afternoon or early evening is enough to ensure the phone makes it into the wee hours.
Software
The phone runs MIUI 13 over Android 12, it’s a fast, colorful, animation-heavy UI that does a lot of things right (animations are smooth, you can pull down the notification shade by swiping anywhere instead of needing to reach for the top of the screen, etc), but Xiaomi’s settings page continues to be unnecessarily complicated. MIUI has three different settings pages for display-related matters: there’s a general “display” setting, an “Always-on display” setting, and a “Full-screen display” setting. The last two are not sub-sections under the main display page, they’re separate pages. Every time I get a new phone, I have to change screen time out to much longer than the default (usually 30 seconds) because I need the screen to stay on when I take product shots, and it always takes me a couple of minutes of digging before I find the setting in Xiaomi phones, because it has three display pages.
You also cannot open apps in floating window form here. This seems to be a limitation Xiaomi is putting on mid-range phones because MIUI can definitely do this. In fact, the button to launch the floating window is still there, just grayed out as “not available.” I multi-task with my phone often, and I think floating window is a superior option to Android’s conventional split-screen method.
Should you get the Xiaomi 12 Lite?
There are two ways to evaluate the Xiaomi 12 Lite. There’s no denying that, at $399, it’s a good value product. But how much this is a good value depends on point of view. If you’re only comparing the Xiaomi 12 Lite against other brands, then the closest competition are the $449 Galaxy A53, $429 iPhone SE 3, or something like the $450-ish iQoo Neo 6.
The Xiaomi 12 Lite beats the Galaxy A53 in almost every way that matters — better screen, better main camera, better processor, better build quality. The only reason to choose the A53 in this scenario is if you just like Samsung or don’t like Xiaomi. The iPhone SE is a much trickier comparison because it’s a different eco-system entirely, but the iPhone SE wins in processing power and video recording but loses badly in display, design, and photography. The iQoo Neo 6 has a more powerful Snapdragon 870 chip, but inferior camera and haptics, and the phone doesn’t appear to be as widely available globally. So Xiaomi 12 Lite makes a strong case if you’re comparing it to other brands.
But as I wrote recently in the Poco F4 review, it seems Xiaomi’s biggest competition at this price point is itself. The Xiaomi 12 Lite costs $399, the Poco F4 starts at $410, and it has a better Snapdragon processor and faster memory standards (LPDDR5 and UFS 3.1). The Xiaomi 12 Lite does offer a slightly better main camera and display design (symmetrical bezels), but everything else is about equal, down to that useless 2MP macro sensor. If both phones are available in your region, I’d say the Poco is the better option. Otherwise, the Xiaomi 12 Lite, in a vacuum, is yet another very, very good mid-tier phone.
If your Steam Deck is on the beta channel, a new update has arrived, introducing new external UI options, scaling features, new keyboard options, and more.
Although the Steam Deck is known for being a handheld console, it has the ability to output to a display. With the latest update, users will now be able to scale the user interface when connected to an external display. There will also be a new toggle for the console, making it possible to enable automatic scaling of the UI when connected to a monitor or TV. While night mode has always been an option, going forward, users will no longer have to toggle it manually, and will instead have the option to set it on a schedule. Along with improvements to the adaptive brightness controls, the update also brings support for a Japanese keyboard, and also improves the Korean keyboard user interface.
Valve has been a roll with the Steam Deck, issuing updates to improve the user experience and offer further support with hardware as well. At the end of June, the firm announced that it had completed Q2 shipments and would be doubling the shipments for Q3. The company has also been surprisingly generous in issuing software for Windows, despite its stance that it would not officially support third-party operating systems. On the hardware side, Valve had to delay its Docking Station but did successfully launch a parts store in partnership with iFixit.
The future of Steam Deck looks bright, let’s hope that Valve keeps the momentum going.
If you’re interested in trying out some of the options mentioned above, you can opt into the beta channel by heading into Settings > System > Steam Update Channel. Going forward, users will have the option of choosing: stable, beta, or preview channels. Of course, beta and preview will have new and experimental features, so proceed with caution as there could be issues.
Apple revealed the MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and MacBook Air (2022) during the main keynote of WWDC22. These latest additions to the great Mac line further prove that a slim form factor can still pack immense might. They’re both relatively thin and light, but they also differ in many aspect. For example, the MacBook Air takes advantage of the modern notebook design we first saw on the 14/16-inch MacBook Pro (2021) — which you can buy as refurbished for a cheaper price tag. Meanwhile the MacBook Pro 13 (2022) sticks to the classic chassis and misses out on the MagSafe port and thin bezels. This the MacBook Pro 13 (2022) vs MacBook Air 13 (2022) — the battle between two M2-powered Apple notebooks.
Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) vs Apple MacBook Air 13 (2022): Specifications
Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022)
Apple MacBook Air 13 (2022)
Processor
Apple M2 (8-Core CPU)
Apple M2 (8-Core CPU)
Graphics
Apple M2 (10-Core GPU)
Apple M2 (8-Core GPU)
Apple M2 (10-Core GPU)
Body
11.97 x 8.36 x 0.61 inches
3lbs
11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches
2.7lbs
Display
13.3-inch Retina display (2560 x 1600), up to 500 nits peak brightness, True Tone technology
13.6-inch Liquid Retina display (2560 x 1664), up to 500 nits peak brightness, True Tone technology
Ports
Two Thunderbolt 4 ports
Headphone jack
Two Thunderbolt 4 ports
MagSafe 3 port
Headphone jack
Storage
256GB
512GB
1TB
2TB
256GB
512GB
1TB
2TB
Memory
8GB
16GB
24GB
8GB
16GB
24GB
Battery
58.2Whr battery
Up to 20 hours of video playback
67W charger
52.6Whr battery
Up to 18 hours of video playback
30W charger
Audio
Stereo speakers with wide stereo sound and spatial audio support when playing Dolby Atmos content
Four-speaker sound system with wide stereo sound and spatial audio support when playing Dolby Atmos content
Camera
720p FaceTime HD camera
1080p FaceTime HD camera
Connectivity
Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth 5.0
Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth 5.0
Color
Silver
Space Gray
Silver
Starlight
Space Gray
Midnight
Price
$1,299
Starts at $1,199
Design: Recycled ideas vs a fresh start
In the design department, the differences are pretty obvious. Back in 2021, Apple introduced a brand new notebook design, starting with the MacBook Pro 14/16 models. This change has finally made it to the Air line, with the MacBook Air 13 (2022) being the first to adopt it. The MacBook Pro 13 (2022), on the other hand, settles for the classic design from older MacBook Pro models. It features a Touch Bar but misses out on the MagSafe 3 charging port.
The MacBook Air is lighter and thinner. However, it has a slightly wider build due to its larger 13.6-inch display. Nonetheless, both devices share the same Thunderbolt 4 ports (two of them) and 3.5mm headphone jack. Notably, the Air features two additional finishes — Midnight and Starlight — while still offering Space Gray and Silver.
Display: Air has seen the light
A modern Apple redesign means a likely inclusion of The Notch somewhere. The MacBook Air 13 (2022)’s overhaul is no different. We get a slightly larger, notched 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with notably thinner bezels. The MacBook Pro 13 (2022) sticks to the the 13.3-inch Retina display with large black bezels framing it in a very obvious manner. It’s shocking to see a device that looks as revolting in 2022, but the Cupertino overload clearly couldn’t care less.
Those seeking the modern-looking screen and bigger size should go for the MacBook Air 13 (2022). If you’d rather stare at the thick bezels instead of the notch, you can settle for the MacBook Pro 13 (2022) instead. Ultimately, both displays are decent in terms of clarity and brightness, with the MacBook Pro having a slightly higher pixel density (227ppi versus 224ppi).
Performance: Similar, yet different
Both the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and MacBook Air 13 (2022) pack the all-new M2 chip. They both support the same memory and storage capacities. However, the MacBook Air has a fanless design. So it throttles the performance of the M2 when it starts heating up. On the other hand, the MacBook Pro has a dedicated cooling system to avoid the throttling. So if you plan on executing intensive tasks, go for the Pro. You also get two extra hours of video playback on a single charge if you go for the Pro model.
Bottom Line: The Air offers more for less
From many most perspectives, the MacBook Air 13 (2022) shines over the MacBook Pro 13 (2022) — despite being a $100 cheaper in the U.S. You might want to consider buying the Pro model if you plan on challenging the power of the M2 chip. Additionally, the Pro has a Touch Bar — which plenty of users’ workflows depend on. Otherwise, the Air has a larger display, thinner bezels, a better webcam, a MagSafe 3 charging port, a minimalistic design, more color options, a lower price tag, etc.
Personally, I will be going for the MacBook Air 13 (2022) rather than MacBook Pro 13 (2022). That’s because I don’t typically cause my Mac to overheat — even without a dedicated cooling system. As a result, I don’t need the resilience of a MacBook Pro, and I get to enjoy the cleaner design, Air-exclusive Midnight finish, MagSafe charging, and much more.
Apple revealed the all-new MacBook Air (2022), along with macOS Ventura, during the main keynote of WWDC22. This welcome addition to the Mac lineup packs the latest M2 chip. This means apps for Apple silicon will perform best on this computer — as they’re specifically optimized for this processor. Apart from the upgraded M2 SoC, this MacBook features a more modern chassis design. It looks similar to that Apple introduced on the notched 2021 MacBook Pro models. Notably, it also adds new color options. The available finishes for the MacBook Air M2 (2022) are Midnight and Starlight — in addition to the familiar Space Gray and Silver. Now you must be wondering where you can buy this $1,199 Apple notebook from. These are the best deals for the MacBook Air M2 (2022).
The best MacBook Air M2 (2022) deals
Best Buy
The MacBook Air (2022)’s listing is live on Best Buy. It’s available in several hardware configurations, including finish and storage option varieties. Best Buy also allows you to pay through monthly installments — if you’re not ready to pay for it in one go.
The MacBook Air M2 features a redesigned, modern chassis that reintroduces the MagSafe port. It's available in four colors to choose from, and you can view its listing on Best Buy.
Adorama is also offering this new Mac in several configurations and colors to choose from. If it’s your retailer of choice, you can get 1,199 reward points if you buy the base model of the MacBook Air.
The MacBook Air M2 features a redesigned, modern chassis that reintroduces the MagSafe port. It's available in four colors to choose from, and you can view its listing on Adorama.
The Apple Store is the official place to get the MacBook Air from. It’s available in all finishes and hardware configurations. Additionally, you get to choose the physical keyboard’s language and have the company (for an additional fee) preload Final Cut Pro or Logic Pro. Lastly, you also get the option to pay through monthly installments, not to mention the 3% cash back if you purchase it with Apple Card.
The MacBook Air M2 features a redesigned, modern chassis that reintroduces the MagSafe port. It's available in four colors to choose from, and you can view its listing on the Online Apple Store.
It’s always a wise idea to buy new products — especially expensive ones — from authorized and official retailers. This way you’re guaranteed to receive a genuine, unused device. While some places might have tempting price tags, keep in mind that you mind end up with a fake product.
Which of the four MacBook Air finishes will you be going for? Let us know in the comments section below.
The Kindle Paperwhite is the best e-reader in the Kindle lineup, and for good reasons. It’s reasonably priced and is better than the barebones Kindle in almost all areas, featuring a sharper, brighter display, longer battery life, and a premium design. The newer Paperwhite 11th Gen has an even bigger display, and in some regards, it even beats the flagship Kindle Oasis, packing USB-C charging port and wireless charging support. But is the Kindle Paperwhite waterproof?
Is the Kindle Paperwhite waterproof?
The short answer is: yes, the Kindle Paperwhite is waterproof, with the term very loosely used here. The device has an IPX8 rating which makes it water-resistant. That means the Kindle Paperwhite can be safely used around water — if you understand the limitations. You can take it near a swimming pool, dunk it in a fish tank, and even wash it with tap water once in a while as part of your cleaning and maintenance routine. However, it’s also important to understand the limitation and caveats here. An IP rating doesn’t make a device immune to water, and the same is true for Kindle Paperwhite. Amazon notes that the Kindle Paperwhite can survive immersion in 2 meters deep water for up to 60 minutes and up to 0.25 meters of seawater for up to 3 minutes. However, it’s not recommended to immerse the device in salt water, soapy water, or other corrosive liquids.
If your Kindle Paperwhite gets wet or is immersed in water, let it fully dry before attempting to charge it. Don’t use an external heat source to dry the device. Instead, let the device dry by standing it upright and keeping it in a well-ventilated area. You should also not expose the Kindle Paperwhite to pressurized water, high-velocity water, or extremely humid conditions.
And while the Kindle Paperwhite is water-resistant, it doesn’t have any protection against dust. But this isn’t a big deal and something that can be solved by putting on a folio case. Check out the best cases for the Kindle Paperwhite. And note that not all Kindle Paperwhite models are water-resistant. Only the Paperwhite 9th Gen, 10th, Gen, and 11th Gen models have an IPX8 rating.
Bottom line
So yes, the Kindle Paperwhite is water-resistant and can withstand water splash or a short immersion in fresh water. However, you should avoid exposing the device to saltwater and other corrosive liquids.
After rolling out Spatial Audio support for the iPhone and iPad in August last year, Netflix is now making the feature available to more users. The streaming giant has partnered with Sennheiser to convert surround sound mixes into a spatial audio representation, which can now be played through any stereo speaker or headphone.
According to Netflix, the new spatial audio capabilities don’t require any specialized equipment. However, it’s only available for select Netflix original TV shows and movies at the moment. If you’re a Netflix subscriber, you can now search for “spatial audio” on the platform to find all the supported titles. Currently supported titles include the fourth season of the popular sci-fi drama Stranger Things, Red Notice, and The Witcher.
In its announcement, Netflix mentioned that the new spatial audio feature “helps to translate the cinematic experience of immersive audio to any stereo, so the work creators do to bring you into the story happens no matter what device you use to watch Netflix.” The feature is available on all Netflix subscription plans across all regions.
Netflix’s new spatial audio feature utilizes Sennheiser’s AMBEO 2-Channel Spatial Audio technology. Sennheiser notes that AMBEO 2-Channel Spatial audio “is not another mix. Instead, it is created from open, industry-standard deliverables, like ADM or IAB files. The renderer easily fits into standard encoding pipelines. It outputs a standard two-channel audio file that can be delivered as a drop-in replacement for stereo.”
Note that Netflix’s spatial audio feature does not offer the head-tracking capabilities that you get with spatial audio on the Apple AirPods Pro. In addition, those who use a multi-channel surround sound setup while watching Netflix might not notice any significant improvements with the new feature.
Have you tried Netflix’s new spatial audio feature? Did you notice any significant improvements? Let us know in the comments section below.
