Powered by Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the Moto G4 Play is a wallet-friendly affair that works with any service provider. Indeed, the unlocked handset can be paired with Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, or any of their respective brands.
Specifications include a quad-core processor with 2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage. As for cameras, the rear offers up an 8-megapixel shooter, whereas the front has a 5-megapixel selfie shooter.
It might not be the most physically attractive or ambitious looking phone, but there’s enough hardware to get the job done for most basic user needs.
The G4 Play is the least expensive version of the 2016 G series from Motorola and works well as a first-time choice for smartphone.
[vc_custom_heading text=”Where to Buy” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%23d70060″ google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]
[vc_cta h2=”Motorola” h2_font_container=”color:%23444444″ h2_google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” shape=”square” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Shop” btn_shape=”square” btn_i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-shopping-basket” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” h2_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.motorola.com%2Fus%2Fproducts%2Fmoto-g-play||target:%20_blank” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.motorola.com%2Fus%2Fproducts%2Fmoto-g-play||target:%20_blank” btn_add_icon=”true”]Available in two color options (Black and White), the G4 Play can be had for $150 from its OEM, Motorola.[/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=”Amazon” h2_font_container=”color:%23444444″ h2_google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” shape=”square” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Shop” btn_shape=”square” btn_i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-shopping-basket” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” h2_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F2fUpoaA||target:%20_blank” btn_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F2fUpoaA||target:%20_blank” btn_add_icon=”true”]Customers can pick up the phone in either Black or White options for $150. Amazon Prime subscribers, however, can score the phone for as low as $100 in exchange for lock screen notifications and occasional product recommendations on the phone.[/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=”B&H Photo Video” h2_font_container=”color:%23444444″ h2_google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” shape=”square” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Shop” btn_shape=”square” btn_i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-shopping-basket” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” h2_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bhphotovideo.com%2Fc%2Fproduct%2F1274293-REG%2Fmotorola_01006nartl_moto_g4_play_xt1607.html%2FBI%2F20229%2FKBID%2F14505||target:%20_blank” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bhphotovideo.com%2Fc%2Fproduct%2F1274293-REG%2Fmotorola_01006nartl_moto_g4_play_xt1607.html%2FBI%2F20229%2FKBID%2F14505||target:%20_blank” btn_add_icon=”true”]Buyers can choose from both the Black and the White versions of the Moto G 4 Play.[/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=”Best Buy” h2_font_container=”color:%23444444″ h2_google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” shape=”square” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Shop” btn_shape=”square” btn_i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-shopping-basket” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” h2_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fmotorola-moto-g4-play-4g-lte-with-16gb-memory-cell-phone-unlocked-black%2F5583500.p%3FskuId%3D5583500||target:%20_blank” btn_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fmotorola-moto-g4-play-4g-lte-with-16gb-memory-cell-phone-unlocked-black%2F5583500.p%3FskuId%3D5583500||target:%20_blank” btn_add_icon=”true”]The unlocked phone can be had in Black and White color options for $150 through Best Buy. Current and prospective Verizon Prepaid subscribers can pick the handset up for about $85.[/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=”Swappa” h2_google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” shape=”square” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Shop” btn_shape=”square” btn_i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-shopping-basket” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” h2_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fswappa.com%2Fbuy%2Fmoto-g4-play-unlocked||target:%20_blank” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fswappa.com%2Fbuy%2Fmoto-g4-play-unlocked||target:%20_blank” btn_add_icon=”true”]Looking to save some cash and pick up something pre-owned? Check out our friends at Swappa.[/vc_cta]
Are you using Samsung Pay with your Samsung Galaxy smartphone? Then we have some good news for you. Samsung has just announced a new reward program called Samsung Rewards.
So it goes like this. The more you use Samsung Pay in retail locations or online, the more points you acquire which can then be turned into nice prizes consisting in Samsung products, prepaid credit cards, gift cards and such.
What’s more if the credit card you’re using has its own reward system, you’ll be able to double the points added to your account with every purchase.
Samsung is kicking the rewards program in big style, by announcing it’s also awarding “Instant Win” prizes. The first includes trips to Napa Valley and Las Vegas, so get your Samsung phones out, shoppers!
The Samsung Rewards system has four levels: Entry Level, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Entry Level means you have purchased via Samsung pay 0-5 times which awards customers 10 points/transaction. Use Samsung Pay for 6-20 transactions / month and you get Silver or twice the points on every transaction.
If you manage to take the number of transactions up to 30 or more, you’ll be granted Gold status and your points will triple with every purchase. To make it to Platinum you need to log in at least 31 monthly transactions, which multiplies your points four times times on every purchase.
Samsung also says users signing up for Samsung Rewards in November and December will be able to earn twice as many points for the purchases during these months. Samsung knows the holiday shopping spree (including Black Friday) is coming right up, so the rewards program couldn’t have landed at a better time.
The new Samsung Pay loyalty program goes live in the US later this week. The Korean tech giant warns us it Samsung Rewards will be coming to other Samsung services as well.
Samsung recently announced it was expanding Samsung Pay to new territories like Russia, Malaysia and Thailand. The Korean tech giant also updated the service with Capital One support and by adding a few neat feats, like allowing users to store their membership and loyalty cards.
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Everyone these days seems to have an Instagram account, from your neighbor’s cat to that exotic couple who travels the world holding hands. And you know who else just joined the photo-centric app? Android!
Yes, that’s right Google’s mobile operating system is now an Instagram presence. A quick search using “Android” as query will display several results, but be sure to pick the one that says simply Android and has a blue thick sign next to it.
Google is probably looking to promote its own Android-related services and products through this account, but for the time being only 6 posts have been made (which make up a collage) welcoming followers to the page.
The bio says “A grid of sweet treats and #AndroidAdventures” so expect to see anything Android-related make it into the photo gallery, obligatory hints about future products/updates included.
In the images you can easily spot the brand new Pixel phone, some Android Wear watches sprinkled here and there, the Pixel C and references to Android Pay and Android Auto. There are some Marshmallows and Nougat bits splattered around, as well as yummy Lollipops to complete the colorful background.
Google knows humans are visual creatures, so there’s no better way to make sure Android is ever-present in users’ consciousness than to shower them with cute, fun Android images. The mobile OS already has a Twitter and Google Plus accounts, so it’s no shock the mobile OS extended to Instagram as well. Let the followers come!
It’s only a matter of days before the Black Friday shopping spree begins. Some companies have already revealed their lists of promotions and this week it’s Samsung’s turn to reveal its set of discounted products.
But don’t get your hopes up. If you’re hunting for a new phone like the Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge, then you’re out of luck. Samsung only offers discounts on previous-gen phones like the Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S5 – the certified pre-owned versions, that is.
Samsung includes a few tablets and wearables into its list of promotions, but the discounts aren’t mind blowing.
It seems that this year Samsung will be offering serious price cuts only in the smart TV / 4K SUHD and appliances department. Here is a list of some of the most interesting discounts:
55” Class S9000 4K SUHD TV now $1,499 (save $1,300)
50” Class J6200 Full LED Smart TV now $399 (save $900)
64” Class KS8500 Curved 4K SUHD TV now $1,599 (save $2,200)
75” Cass JU7100 4K UHD Smart TV now $2,499 (save $3,500)
Galaxy S6 32GB from AT&T certified pre-owned now $399.99 (save $185)
Galaxy S6 edge 32GB from Verizon certified pre-owned now $499.99 (save $200)
Galaxy S6 64GB from Verizon certified pre-owned now $449.99 (save $220)
Galaxy S5 16GB from Verizon certified pre-owned now $299 (save $150)
Galaxy Tab A 10.1 with 16GB now $199.99 (save $100)
Galaxy Tab A 8 with 16GB now $129.99 (save $70)
Galaxy Tab E 9.6 with 16GB now $149.99 (save $80)
Galaxy Tab A 7.0 with 8GB now $99.99 (save $50)
Galaxy View 18.4 32GB now $399.99 (save $150)
Galaxy Tab A 10.1 with S Pen 16GB now $249.99 (save $100)
Gear S3 Frontier now $299 (save $50)
Gear S3 Classic now $299 (save $50)
Gear 360 now $329.99 (save $20)
Anyway, Black Friday at Samsung starts on November 20 or November 24 – depending on the product you are aiming for.
If you are not happy with what you’ve found, you can always check out what others are offering. For example, BestBuy has a deal on the Galaxy S7, but don’t forget to look towards Amazon, T-Mobile or Verizon too.
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In a recent story we told you that LG’s mobile division lost a lot of money in Q3. The LG G5 was a big flop despite its solid spec sheet, but it seems the Korean device marker might have another chance at bouncing back.
The LG V20 was recently released on the market in the US as one of the first non-Pixel phones to make it out with Android 7.0 Nougat out the box. That plus the high-end specs apparently turned the V20 into a must-have for customers in the country.
LG just announced it has sold more than 200,000 units in the first 10 days since the V20 was made available. That’s double of its predecessor, the LG V10 which didn’t spark a lot of enthusiasm with the masses.
The V20 might have a chance to boost LG’s mobile earnings in Q4 especially since November is the month of discounts and promotion and the holiday shopping season is coming right up, as well. There’s another reason why the V20 is so popular.
With the withdrawal of the high-end Galaxy Note7 from the market, the premium phablet ecosystem has suffered a great loss. Some Galaxy Note7 refugees aren’t looking towards Samsung anymore and are ready to invest their money with another OEM. And the V20’s high-end specs might be all customers need.
LG has also pulled the big guns when it comes to promoting the device. It has employed the services of popular actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt (you might remember him form Inception or Dark Knight Rises) to showcase the qualities of the phone. Shawn Mendes (a Vine sweetheart) has also been brought onboard to promote the LG V20.
The LG V20 arrives with a spacious 5.7-inch QHD display and a secondary always-on screen. The mini screen is employed to display custom signature or text or provide easy access to your favorite apps and deliver notifications.
The phone employs the computing power of a Snapdragon 820 in combination with 4GB of RAM and ether 32GB/64GB of internal storage (expandable to 256GB via microSD cardslot).
The phone offers advanced levels of audio recording control, so it’s a perfect device for audiophiles. For example, the Pro Video mode enables users to adjust exactly how much audio is captured from the right and left channels.
The LG V20 offers a dual camera setup with a main 4K-ready 16MP/8MP combo with laser autofocus, OIS and LED flash plus a 5MP selfie camera. A removable 3,200 mAh battery keeps everything alive onboard and there’s also a fingerprint scanner.
Mind you, the LG V20 is not a cheap device. It’s available from major carriers in the US like Verizon, T-Mobile or AT&T and prices vary between $672 and $830 if you choose to purchase it outright. But there’s always the option to buy the phone with a 2-year installment plan. For example, T-Mobile offers the 64GB version for $30/month for 2 years after you pay $49 upfront.
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The arrival of the Pixel changed Google’s phone business model a great deal. The Pixel phones are said to be the first real Google phones to make it out into the wild and unlike the Nexus family, the new handsets don’t feature the maker’s branding anymore. Also Google is handling all the sales, without involvement form its OEM partner.
In reality, HTC is the unnamed partner behind the Pixel phones, but the Taiwanese device maker wasn’t the Google first choice. The search giant established a partnership with Huawei in 2015 to make the Nexus 6P and apparently Google wanted to keep working with the Chinese manufacturer. But Huawei backed out of the deal and we were left wondering why.
Now a report coming from German website WinFuture sheds some light on the matter. Huawei executive Colin Giles talked about the reason behind declining to work with Google for the Pixel. Apparently the Chinese tech giant didn’t like the idea of being left out of all Pixel promotional and branding endeavors. Basically it didn’t want to be silent partner like HTC agreed to be.
Huawei had high expectations when it started working with Google last year. For starters, the search giant promised the Nexus 6P will be landing with all major carriers including Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile.
A massive Nexus 6P marketing campaign was also expected to be unleashed. However, all these promises never materialized with the Nexus 6P being confined to the Google Play Store. It could be another reason why Huawei decided to opt out from the Pixel affair.
Despite divided views on the Pixel matter, Google and Huawei won’t abandon working together in the future. A new phone is apparently scheduled to make a debut in the second half of 2017, but most interesting Huawei is rumored to be providing the launch platform for Google’s new Andromeda operating system.
Andromeda is Google’s initiative at unifying Chrome and Android and if word on the street is right, we’re going to see the OS make an appearance on an upcoming Huawei 7-inch tablet. It might even be launched as soon as the end of 2016.
In the meanwhile, the Android community is missing the Nexus brand and third-party OEMs have already expressed their desire to fill in the Nexus void. ZTE for example wants to build a near-stock Android device, to be sold at an affordable price-tag.
The company is polling users about the features they want to see onboard this future device, so if you want to participate check their Community page.
House of Marley is a company that was founded by Bob Marley’s family. It is only fitting that the company’s value directly reflects his primary beliefs. Bob Marley was a musical icon, whose unique style put reggae on the map. As a notable Rastafarian, Bob Marley valued equality, sustainability, and charity. House of Marley’s Get Up Stand Up speaker truly reflects all of Bob Marley’s value with its sustainable design and sound quality.
Sustainability is an important factor to consider when it comes to limiting our footprint on this world. The amount of waste humans generate is only increasing, so finding ways to minimize our environmental impact is imperative. My roommates and I try to be responsible inhabitants of Earth by minimizing waste and recycling, but our trash cans still fill up quickly. That’s with only three people, can you imagine the waste created by all seven billion people in the world?
Sustainability is extremely important in the tech world. Lately, it seems as though the majority of consumers are upgrading their devices every time a new phone or tablet comes out. I know people who even upgrade their laptops every year.
Tech-related waste is especially harmful to the environment because of their components. Toxic metals and non-recyclable materials find their way into off-site locations such as Ghana. E-waste is only increasing with the amount of technology we have at our disposal and it is a problem we cannot ignore anymore.
Build
The package includes the Get Up Stand Up speaker, power cord, and remote (batteries included).
The Get Up Stand Up speaker addresses the environmental issues facing our planet by going with a sustainable design. The front of the speaker is made of FSC-certified birch wood with a walnut finish. The speaker sports two dual 4.5 inch woofers and two 1 inch tweeters.
House of Marley went with simplicity when it comes to the controls. There are only four buttons located at the top of the speaker. The small remote control allows all the same options as the physical buttons on the speaker with the addition of dedicated buttons for skipping and rewinding music.
The back of the speaker features a recycled plastic enclosure. There is a bass port on the side to let the large woofers move air in and out allowing for a fuller sound. Red and white stereo auxiliary inputs, and a 3.5 mm auxillary input are located on the back to play music from devices that do not have Bluetooth. The addition of a USB port allows charging of various devices even while the Get Up Stand Up speaker is turned off.
Sound
The premium build of the Get Up Stand Up speaker is accompanied with high quality audio. This is due to the aptX technology which uses a unique compression algorithm to produce higher sound quality over Bluetooth.
I found this speaker to offer well-balanced and detailed sound. The highs were incredibly crisp due to the presence of the dual tweeters. The bass has a warm and full presence that doesn’t overpower the complete dynamic range. Most wireless speakers feature only one driver which tends to muddle up the highs and lows, but with four, this speaker manages to sound very clear.
The location of the speaker also had a huge impact on how it sounded. I played Black Beatles with the speaker next to a wall and the bass sounded incredibly rich, deep and punchy. In open space, the Get Up Stand Up speaker has more of a balanced sound. Even at the lowest volume, the vocals were clear and wasn’t overpowered by the highs or lows.
Due to the well-balanced sound, this speaker is exceptional for most genres. The versatility of the speaker was evident being able to play reggae all the way to pop. John Coletrane’s saxophone sounds incredibly detailed on the Get Up Sound Up. I had to put on Get Up Stand Up in honor of Bob Marley, and I could feel the soul emanating from the speaker. When I closed my eyes, it really felt like he was right in front of me performing the song. It was such a great auditory experience even though reggae is not the type of music I normally listen to.
Usage
The Get Up Stand Up Home audio system is not a portable speaker. There is no battery in the device so it needs to be plugged into an outlet. However, due to its heavy frame (15.6 pounds) I couldn’t imagine why you would want to move it around frequently.
The pictures of this speaker do not do it justice. It is absolutely beautiful with its rustic and wooden design. The attention to every aesthetic detail and premium wood finish looked almost too good for my apartment. It’s like seeing a classic 1955 Chevy Bel Air next to your used 1998 Honda Accord. The best part comes from the conscientious decision of using a sustainable product that will have minimal impact on the environment. You don’t have to sacrifice quality, sound, or design for the sake of the planet.
I primarily used the speaker in the living room and connected it via stereo audio auxiliary input into my television. I previously had a sound bar connected to the television and this speaker blew it out of the water. Those people who don’t want to invest in an expensive surround sound system can opt out for this less pricier option. It was effortless to connect my phone via Bluetooth and play Spotify from the comfort of the couch.
Conclusion
Bob Marley’s legacy is present in the vision of House of Marley. The company reflects the values of equality, sustainability, and charity derived from the music legend. Bob Marley truly cared for the planet and it is echoed in the Get Up Stand Up Bluetooth Audio System. In an industry that produces a great deal of waste, it is refreshing to see companies like House of Marley taking an initiative on the e-waste issue.
This is a premium speaker that you can be proud to own knowing that you are actively making an impact on reducing e-waste. The Get Up Stand Up speaker is made from FSC-certified birch in the front and a recyclable plastic enclosure in the back.
The use of multiple woofers and tweeters leads to a well-balanced sound that is versatile with any type of music. This is a speaker you want to display proudly with its rustic and wooden design that is a nice fit for any home.
The Get Up Stand Up speaker is only $329.99 on House of Marley or $294.00 on Amazon with free shipping. The speaker is an investment into a technology that will be with you for many years to come. If you eventually decide to upgrade to another device, you can be comforted knowing that this was designed to have a minimal impact on the environment.
November is the perfect month to do some deal hunting, so T-Mobile is looking to contribute to the vast array of promotions paving the path to the holidays. This time the magenta carrier wants to get cozy with business users, so it has unleashed the new @Work All-In bundle.
Users jumping onboard with T-Mobile during the promo, will be getting their hands on five devices and five T-Mobile ONE lines for just $160/month. The phones in question are five LG Stylo 2 Plus and they come free of charge with a two-year contract. This means customers will end up paying $32/month for a line and save up to $1,200 in total (one LG Stylo 2 Plus is priced at around $240).
For those unfamiliar with the ONE plan, we’ll remind you it’s a pretty controversial plan by T-Mobile. In theory users get unlimited LTE data, talk and text as well as free roaming in Mexico and Canada for $70 (for one line). However there are a few catches. The plan comes with unlimited tethering – at max 3G speeds (according to T-Mobile’s page). If users want LTE tethering they will need to pay more.
But wait there’s more. Video streaming is limited to 480p resolution. If you want to watch your favorite videos and movies at 1080p or 4K it will cost you an additional amount of money.
Also take into consideration that the ONE plan is not really “unlimited”. Those who download over 28GB per month, may experience throttling.
As you can see the ONE plan has a few disadvantages, but with the latest @Work All-In bundle, T-Mobile hopes to make it more attractive in the eyes of business users.
If you have forgotten what the LG Stylo 2 Plus brings to the table, let us remind you real quick. The device arrives with a 5.7-inch HD TFT display and a Snapdragon 430 processor onboard. There’s 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD to 2TB) and a 13MP/5MP camera combo.
The phone runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out of the box and comes with a stylus so you can scribble your ideas real quick.
Anyway if the @Work All-In bundle sounds good to you, you can visit one of T-Mobile brick and mortar stores and get sign-up or contact the carrier directly. The deal is available starting November 14.
Do you know where the term “Impressionism” is derived from?
If you answered from Claude Monet’s painting Impression, soleil levant, which was exhibited in 1874 in the first of the independent exhibitions mounted by Monet and his friends as an alternative to the Salon de Parism, then you were right. I learned that from Google Arts & Cultures.
Arts
Art was a requirement in my schooling growing up, but I never truly appreciated it. I always saw or read about it in books that never did it justice. It was only until I was in my late twenties when I started to travel the world and see art in person when I developed a deep appreciation for it. Also, now in my thirties and living a life immersed in science and technology, I have an even deeper appreciation for art. Technology is a world of creating products that improve our lives, but also might distract us a little too much.
While science pays the bills for my lifestyle, it is a process that requires little emotion. That’s why I like to expand my horizon and appreciate art.
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte Georges Seurat1884-1886
Art stands the test of time because it is universally accepted for its beauty and emotional response.
Google collaborated with over 1200 museums, galleries and institutions to bring art to you the history of art and culture on your smartphone, tablet and computer. It’s available for free at the official website, or as an App for Android and iOS.
There you can learn about some of the most influential artists in documented history.
You can learn about specific artists or movements and how they impacted society. You can even educate yourself about specific paintings like the featured image, Water Lilies.
This app is great for all ages. If you’re a middle aged adult like me, you can revisit art if you missed it growing up. It’s almost impossible to see all of this artwork in person since the cost of travel is so high.
There’s no cost to view or educate yourself on any of the works. That’s something most museums can’t even offer.
The second half of the app/website is Culture. It’s a great way to learn about historical figures and events that helped shape the world we live in today.
Imagine what kind of world this would be if the US had lost the Revolutionary War to England. We might be eating tea and biscuits with our pinkies pointed up in the air. Could the war have been won without George Washington? Probably not.
In a world obsessed with social media, streaming videos, and games, sometimes it’s nice to learn about where we have come from and what shaped the world we live in now.
I love technology as much as any of you. However as much as I love it, I also like to take a break from it. That means turning off Clash Royale, Netflix, and Twitter. It’s nice to put on some music and read about historical events while browsing through art that gives me a different appreciation on life.
Marshall has been in the sound game for a long time – longer than most brands you’re familiar with. The recognizable Marshall logo is seen everywhere from concerts to garages. It’s only fitting that the iconic company decided to make its own branded headphones. The Marshall Major II wired headphones were a hit which paved the way for its wireless brother, Marshall Major II Bluetooth headphones.
Iconic Build
The package comes with Marshall Major II headphones, USB-charging cable, and a detachable coiled 3.5 mm cord.
The Marshall Major II Bluetooth design is very similar to its wired predecessor, the Major II, with a few added features. The headphones come in a variety of colors: black, brown, and white. Marshall went with a lightweight and portable design. The earpieces are connected by a flexible hinge that allow it to fold up in a compact package for portability.
The outside of the earpieces features Marshall’s trademark logo and textured design seen on its amplifiers. The earpieces feature a very comfortable padding that ensures a secure fit onto your ears. The left and right sides are labeled in big gold letters on the inside of the headphones to make sure you are wearing them the proper way.
The bottom right earpiece features a 3.5 mm jack, power and Bluetooth pairing button, and a micro-USB port to charge your headphones. Powering on the device is done by long-pressing the round black button, while double-tapping will execute the Bluetooth pairing. Charging is easily done by connecting the micro-USB into a USB power source.
Underneath the left earpiece features a familiar brass knob seen on many other Marshall equipment. The knob functions like a joystick to control in-line commands. Pushing it left or right will control skipping or repeating music. Up or down will control the volume levels. This is a welcome addition seeing as how it was omitted in the wired version of the Major II. Play and pause are controlled by pressing the knob.
Comfort
I have to confess, I am not a big fan of on-ear headphones. My ears will throb after wearing on-ear headphones for longer than 30 minutes. I found out about this right after I bought a pair of on-ear Bose headphones from my friend. Needless to say, he wouldn’t give me my money back. I need new friends.
Anyways, I was really surprised at how comfortable the padding is on the earpieces. I used them all day, walking around the lab and sitting at my desk. The secure fit ensured that no noise leaked out of the headphones, which is great because I’ve been binge listening to Nickelback. I hate headphones that leak music because I listen to embarrassing music constantly.
Sound
The Major II headphones comes with aptX technology which uses a unique, compression algorithm to produce CD-like quality audio over Bluetooth. This is huge for Bluetooth devices which have been known for lower sound quality due to its limited bandwidth.
The bass absolutely slaps coming from the 40 mm dynamic drivers. The full-sounding lows create a warm sound experience, perfect for listeners who need that extra oomph from the bass. I love Pound Cake by Drake and listening to this song on the Major II’s did not disappoint. I found the vocals and highs to be clear giving it a detailed sound.
These headphones can get loud. I turned the volume up to 100% and did not hear any sound distortion. However, the bass can get a bit overwhelming but that could be because I prefer a balanced sound rather than a bass-focused one.
Usage
I work in a research lab so Bluetooth headphones are a staple in my life. I stopped using wired headphones because I would always get it caught on something and either knock it over or get minor whiplash. I replaced my usual Bose Bluetooth headphones with these for the past couple of weeks and I got to say it hasn’t been a difficult transition.
The battery on the Major II’s is absolutely absurd. It claims you can get around 30 hours of playtime. I stopped keeping track after 30 hours, but I think I was getting in the ballpark of around 40-45 hours. I used these headphones at 60-70% volume and they lasted a week and a half of frequent use before I had to charge it.
My favorite part of the headphones was the brass knob to control music. It’s such a simple function that’s neglected from many other headphone makers. The unique in-line controls are intuitive and have an array of functions for only one button. Answering and ending phone calls are also done through the brass knob simply by pressing it down.
Another great feature is the use of the 3.5mm jack on the left earpiece. You can plug in your audio cable if you run out of battery. or let a friend plug in their 3.5 mm cable and listen to music with you. Not a bad excuse to get your crush to sit close to you, wink wink.
I would recommend getting a case for these headphones. The lightweight design makes these headphones less durable than others.
Conclusion
Marshall changed the sound game with its well-known guitar amplifiers. Its technology allowed music to be loud enough to be heard and enjoyed by huge crowds. You can’t go to a rock concert without seeing Marshall everywhere.
Marshall’s Major II Bluetooth headphones retain the same caliber high performance that the company has always been known for. The 40mm dynamic drivers will produce huge bass, with clear mids and highs. You can be comforted knowing that these headphones will rarely die on you with a battery life of over 30 hours. If you do forget to charge it, you can always listen via audio cable. The addition of a unique brass knob to control music will allow you to change music effortlessly or pick up a call.
Marshall’s Major II Bluetooth headphones can be found on the Marshall site for $149. However, Amazon has the headphones on sale for only $114.98 with free shipping. This is an absolute steal for overall quality of these Bluetooth headphones. The extra functionality of being wireless and having in-line music controls makes this a considerable upgrade from its wired predecessor.