The Nothing ear (a) carves a niche in the ever-crowded true wireless earbud market. Building upon the success of the Nothing ear (1) and ear (2), the ear (a) boasts refinements in sound quality, active noise cancellation (ANC), and battery life, all while retaining the signature design.

 

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Design
Nothing continues its commitment to aesthetics with the ear (a). The sleek, lightweight charging case reveals the earbuds nestled within. The earbuds themselves are crafted from a comfortable, lightweight plastic and sport a familiar half-in-ear design.

The included silicone ear tips come in three sizes, so you can find your perfect fit. The earbuds fit in snuggly thereby translating to a good amount of noise isolation, even without ANC activated.

ANC
The Nothing ear (a) boasts a noticeable step up in Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) compared to its predecessors. It effectively dampens external noise, particularly low-frequency rumbles such as aeroplane engines or traffic, creating a more immersive listening experience. While it might not quite rival the industry leaders in absolute noise cancellation, the ear (a) punches above its weight class for its price point.

You can choose between different ANC levels or an adaptive mode that automatically adjusts based on their surroundings. Additionally, a transparency mode allows external sounds to filter through when needed, making the ear (a) a versatile option for various listening scenarios.

Transparency Mode
Transparency mode allows external sounds to filter through, enhancing situational awareness when needed. This is particularly useful for conversations or navigating busy streets. The transparency mode on the ear (a) is clear and effective, allowing you to seamlessly transition between complete immersion and a connection to your surroundings.

Sound Quality
The Nothing ear (a) truly shines, when it comes to audio quality. The sound signature leans towards a balanced approach, catering to a wider range of music genres. Bass is present without overpowering the mids and highs. Instruments are well-separated, creating a clear and detailed soundscape.

The Nothing X app offers a boatload of customisation options. You can choose from various presets catering to different listening preferences or create a personalised EQ profile. More discerning listeners will appreciate the support for high-resolution audio codecs like LDAC and LHDC, ensuring a lossless listening experience when paired with compatible devices.

The Nothing X app acts as the control centre for the ear (a). It also allows you to adjust ANC and transparency mode intensity, and access in-ear detection for automatic playback control. The app interface is clean and user-friendly.

Call Quality
The call quality on the ear (a) is very good. The microphones effectively pick up your voice, while ANC helps to minimise background noise for the listener on the other end. Even in windy and noisy environments, the ear (a) held its ground in terms of the overall call quality.

Battery Life
The ear (a) offers a significant improvement in battery life, compared with its predecessor. The earbuds themselves boast up to 5.7 hours of playback with ANC enabled, and a further 29.3 hours with the case. A quick 10-minute charge delivers a respectable 52% boost, making the ear (a) a reliable companion for extended listening sessions.

ChatGPT Functionality
Nothing had announced that with the new ear (a), you could use a pinch gesture on your earbud to activate ChatGPT. You could then ask questions, receive summaries of information, or even get creative writing prompts directly through your earbuds. This would undoubtedly enhance the functionality of the Nothing ear (a) and potentially set it apart from the competition.

Nothing has now announced that to use the ChatGPT feature, ensure your phone is one of the compatible models: the Phone (2) is currently supported, and support for the Nothing Phone (2a) and Nothing Phone (1) will be available soon. You also need to ensure your phone’s software is up-to-date and then follow these steps:

1. Install the latest version of the Nothing X app from the Google Play Store.
2. Download, install, and sign into the ChatGPT app from the Google Play Store. Try using the ChatGPT Voice feature at least once.
3. Activate the ChatGPT feature in the Nothing X app by going to Controls > Voice Assistant > ChatGPT.

While this feature is quite interesting, the feature is only limited to Nothing’s phones, namely the Phone (2), with support for Phone (2a) and Phone (1) coming up very soon.

Verdict
The Nothing ear (a) strikes a harmonious chord between affordability and performance. It delivers clear, well-balanced audio with a refined sound signature and impressive ANC capabilities. The design is eye-catching, and the comfortable, lightweight build makes them ideal for extended listening sessions.

The Nothing ear (a) is for budget-conscious listeners seeking high-quality audio and active noise cancellation. It is also for users who appreciate a stylish design, and those who value customisation options through the Nothing X app. Overall, the Nothing ear (a) is a compelling proposition in the true wireless earbud market.

Price: AED 379

Photography and Videography by Ryan Chris

Huawei has announced the upcoming launch of GoPaint, a brand-new self-developed painting app designed specifically for tablets. This exciting development marks Huawei’s entry into the digital art app market, further solidifying their commitment to empowering creative expression.

The GoPaint app promises a wealth of features for both seasoned artists and aspiring creators. It boasts a comprehensive brush library developed in collaboration with a top art team, ensuring a diverse range of tools for various artistic styles. User-friendly features and intuitive design make GoPaint accessible even for beginners, with a full set of tutorials included to guide users on their creative journey.

This launch comes after the resounding success of Huawei’s GoPaint Worldwide Creating Activity in 2023, highlighting the growing demand for digital art tools. By leveraging valuable user insights from the industry’s first smart device vendor to launch a self-developed painting app, Huawei aims to elevate the user experience and make artistic creation accessible to all. Their core concept of “Creation of Beauty” underscores this commitment.

Huawei’s decade-long expertise in the tablet market positions them perfectly to launch this innovative app. Their industry-leading tablets, like the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 13.2″, boast features like the first large flexible OLED display and seamless integration with the pressure-sensitive HUAWEI M-Pencil (3rd generation). Combining this cutting-edge hardware with the powerful GoPaint app creates a perfect ecosystem for artistic creation.

Huawei is poised to become a trailblazer in the digital art world by bridging the gap between its innovative hardware and software. The GoPaint app, expected to be unveiled at the HUAWEI Innovative Product Launch on May 7th, signifies a new era for creative expression on Huawei tablets. With its comprehensive features, user-friendly design, and beginner-friendly tutorials, GoPaint empowers both established artists and aspiring talents to unlock their creative potential.

Hisense has launched the 7S Smart Laundry Washer & Dryer in the MENA region. This innovative appliance promises to transform laundry care with its advanced features, intuitive smart technology, and commitment to sustainability. The 7S Smart Laundry Washer & Dryer embodies Hisense’s dedication to meeting the evolving needs of MENA consumers. It seamlessly blends cutting-edge technology with superior quality and eco-friendly practices, offering exceptional performance and unmatched convenience.

Some features include:

• Control from Anywhere with Connect Life: Users can monitor laundry cycles and receive notifications through the intuitive Connect Life mobile app, putting laundry control at their fingertips.
• Smart Dosing Eliminates Waste: Say goodbye to measuring detergent. The 7S Washer can store and dispense the perfect amount of detergent and softener for each load, ensuring optimal cleaning and reducing waste.
• AI Dry for Flawless Results: Experience consistent drying with AI Dry. This technology detects humidity and temperature to automatically select the ideal drying program for each load, preventing over-drying and shrinkage.
• Inverter Technology: Efficiency & Reliability: Hisense’s advanced inverter technology ensures exceptional performance while minimizing energy consumption, making the 7S a smart choice for both your wallet and the environment.
• Hygiene Guard & Steam: Clean Clothes, Peace of Mind: Harness the power of steam with the Hygiene Guard feature, ensuring clothes are hygienically clean and free from allergens, offering peace of mind for families.
• Energy Monitoring for Smarter Laundry: Track your energy and water usage directly from your phone. Analyze water and electricity consumption data to determine the most cost-effective times to run your laundry.

The Hisense 7S Smart Laundry Washer & Dryer is now available across MENA.