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New JBL speakers offer smart feature Sonos and your Echo can’t match

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Smart speakers aren’t anything new but JBL’s latest Authentics devices arrive packing an upgrade that’s a first of its kind. These latest music makers come with both Amazon’s Alexa and the Assistant built-in – that’s also nothing new we hear you cry! However, where things get clever is that they both work simultaneously with one another. It basically means you can ask Alexa to start belting out your favourite playlists and then shout at Google to make the music stop.

That’s not something you can do on rival devices such as Sonos or Echo speakers with these devices needing the same assistant to start and stop tasks. “Once enabled, use either voice assistant to play your favourite music, control your smart home devices, set timers and alarms, and more, hands-free, using just your voice,” JBL confirmed.

It’s a nice touch and means there’s no more confusion as this device should know what to do when shouting “Hey Google”, or “Alexa” at it.

Along with that clever functionality, the JBL Authentics range also gets a retro design, Wi-Fi connectivity and impressive sound plus one model even includes a battery pack for portable playback.

There are three devices to choose from including the impressive sounding JBL Authentics 500 – which includes Dolby Atmos technology – along with the JBL Authentics 300 which comes with enough built-in juice for 8 hours of music without going near a plug. Finally, there’s the cheaper JBL Authentics 200 device which includes automatic self-tuning and multi-room playback

“The heritage of our brands has always been important to us, and the JBL Authentics range delivers on audio quality, unique design, and unmatched features,” said Carsten Olesen, President of Consumer Audio at HARMAN.

“We live in an era where ‘newstalgia’ is in great demand. The JBL Authentics range draws from our iconic past with its retro design while delivering the superior sound and technology that our customers expect. Innovations such as Dolby Atmos and simultaneous voice assistants meet the retro and reimagined Quadrex grille design in a speaker range that defines the future of audio.”

READ MORE: Best Sonos deals | Get 25% off speakers and soundbars

If these sound enticing, here is full pricing – they all launch in the UK on September 15.

JBL Authentics 500 – £579.99
Includes Dolby Atmos Audio, dual smart assistants, automatic self-tuning and multi-room playback

JBL Authentics 300 – £379.99
Includes in-built battery, dual smart assistants and Multi-room playback

JBL Authentics 300 – £299.99
Dual smart assistants, automatic self-tuning and multi-room playback



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I switched from Sonos to Dyson’s headphones for a month – will I go back?

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Dyson OnTrac review

Dyson OnTrac review (Image: DYSON)

Having worn them on planes, trains, in the office and at home, I’ve been left pretty impressed.

What we love

  • Epic battery life
  • Excellent sound
  • ANC blocks out most noise
  • Customisable design
  • Very comfortable

What we don’t

  • Very expensive 
  • A bit too heavy
  • Unique design won’t suit everyone
  • Case feels cheap and nasty
  • Lacking multi-device connection

Having tried and tested most of the world’s most popular headphones, my current go-to music makers are the Sonos Ace. These excellent noise-cancelling cans continue to impress thanks to their incredibly comfortable fit, super lightweight design, long battery life and stunning sound. Wherever I travel, the Ace are in my bag, but I’ve been trying something different for the last month.

Dyson’s OnTrac headphones come hot on the heels of the UK firm’s whacky Zone headphones, which were created to play music while also filtering the air we all breathe, a Covid-era concern addressed via tech. The Zone were a pretty strange creation that never really took off, but everyone that used them – including Express.co.uk – all agreed they sounded very, very good.

Luckily, Dyson’s new OnTrac cans have ditched the weird air-filtering face mask and focused on that already-good audio instead. So, with the Sonos Ace tucked safely in my cupboard, how do the Dyson OnTrac stack up, and should you invest?

Having worn them on planes, trains, in the office and at home, I’ve been left pretty impressed. Considering Dyson is famed for vacuum cleaners, fans and hairdryers – not audio products – the team from Malmesbury have done a stellar job.

They sound mighty and are easily as good as alternatives from more established rivals such as Bose and Sony. I’ve had no issues enjoying all types of music, with everything sounding rich with detail and crystal clear along with offering just the right levels of bass. Dyson has packed custom-built 40mm neodymium drivers inside with things tilted at an angle of 13 degrees towards the ear and it all works incredibly well.

There’s also some excellent Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which means you only hear the audio and not the hustle and bustle of the world around you.

Dyson OnTrac review

Dyson OnTrac offer a unique design (Image: DYSON)

A total of eight Active Noise Cancelling microphones are built into the OnTrac, which can sense outside sounds 384,000 times a second to fine-tune the effectiveness. Having tested them on packed London Underground trains, noisy cafes and even a long-haul flight to New York, I’ve been really impressed by how well the ANC works and how little you hear other than your playlists.

Battery life is also ridiculously good, with Dyson promising over 52 hours on a single charge. That’s no exaggeration, and during my time with them, I’ve never come close to running low on juice when travelling.

Of course, I can’t write about OnTrac without mentioning the unique design. Dyson created these cans to offer loads of customisation.

That means you can change the colour of the cups or switch out the plates that cover the sides of these headphones at point of purchase or by buying extra accessories.

Dyson OnTrac review

You can change the cups and side panels to suit your style (Image: DYSON)

It’s pretty easy to adapt things which means you can constantly change the style to suit your mood or outfit. The OnTrac are definitely not subtle, and the design will certainly polarise opinion, but it’s nice to see something a little different arrive on the market.

You can also design your look – including changing the colour of the headband – when buying them online which, if nothing else, is quite good fun.

The only thing to note is the price of the accessories. At £449 the OnTrac are already ludicrously expensive and adding extra cups or those colourful outer caps will cost you an extra £50 each – ouch!

So, if you buy the OnTrac and add a couple of extra cups and plates, you could end up with a bill of over £649.

Things get even more expensive if you want to plug them into a headphone port or plane entertainment system as the audio cable isn’t included and adds an extra £20 to the bill.

Dyson OnTrac review

Dyson OnTrac come in numerous colours on the store (Image: DYSON)

Other features I’ve enjoyed – aside from that cost – are the simple controls for adjusting volume, pausing tracks, and switching off the ANC.

The Dyson app offers plenty of sound settings, so you can adjust things to suit your tastes. The headphones switch off automatically when you remove them from your ears, fold flat for easy storage and will even warn you if things are too loud.

So yes, I’ve been left impressed by Dyson’s OnTrac but there are some issues that can’t be overlooked. Although they are comfortable to wear and sound great, they are pretty heavy and that weight won’t suit everyone.

The supplied travel case feels very cheap considering the high price of the cans, and they only connect to one device at a time, which means you can’t quickly switch from your phone to a tablet or laptop to a Bluetooth music player.

Multi-device support is something I’ve got used to on other headphones, such as the AirPods Pro 2 and Sonos Ace, and it’s a glaring omission from Dyson.

As we mentioned before, the £449 price is stupendously high, and the unique look might not be to everyone’s tastes.

Dyson OnTrac review

Dyson OnTrac review (Image: DYSON)

Dyson OnTrac final verdict

So, will I return to my Sonos Ace, or will Dyson’s OnTrac take pride of place on my head? I’ve got to be honest; I was expecting to revert back to the Ace pretty quickly, but I’ve actually enjoyed using Dyson’s headphones.

They sound epic, have decent ANC, neat customisation options, and near-endless battery life.

It’s a solid effort from Dyson’s audio team, but I do have issues with the weight, price and lack of multi-device connectivity. The design is also much like Marmite, and the styling won’t suit everyone – these are anything but subtle.

My Sonos Ace aren’t going to be replaced by the OnTrac, but these headphones are way better than I was expecting and if you fancy something a little more unique that stands out from the crowd, they won’t disappoint.



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Ampler Stout is the E-Bike that could tempt you back into the saddle

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Ampler Stout review

Ampler Stout review (Image: AMPLER)

What we love

  • Comfortable ride
  • Subtle but powerful pedal assist
  • Looks like a normal bike
  • Decent range
  • Built-in luggage rack

What we don’t

  • Not cheap
  • It’s pretty heavy
  • Battery not removable

Cycling has many health benefits, exercising your legs, lungs and mind as you travel. But tricky terrain or a distance that’s just a bit too far can put you off. Which is where an e-bike comes in.

Let’s be clear, the Ampler Stout isn’t a way of cheating: e-bikes still require you to work, which is why they’re called pedal-assist, but they take the edge off the effort you need, meaning you may get in the saddle more often when you know that unavoidable hill is no longer a strain. Some studies have shown that e-bike riders get more exercise than regular bikers.

Ampler Stout review

Ampler Stout review (Image: AMPLER)

Loads of e-bikes have telltale piles of batteries above the rear wheel or attached to the frame, for instance. But Ampler prides itself on building bikes that look just like regular cycles – unless they know, nobody will have a clue that the Ampler is helping you out.

Ampler, which hand-builds its ebikes in Talinn, Estonia, disguises its electrical capabilities by cramming the battery into the downtube of the frame, which means that the Ampler Stout looks just like a classic city bike.

The Stout is now on to its second generation and I’ve tried both the older model and the newer one (some first-gen Stout bikes are still available at lower prices). Both offer a comfortable, upright seating position and a smooth drive across nine gears—the Ampler range includes “fixies” with just one fixed gear as well, if that’s what you prefer, but for everyday use, the Stout is a versatile, go-anywhere choice.

Ampler Stout review

Ampler Stout offers over 45 miles of range (Image: AMPLER )

It has a comfortable, upright seating position which works well both in the city or for gentle Sunday outings on the downs.

One of the key changes between the first- and second-gen models is the addition of an integrated black-and-white display which sits in the top tube of the frame.

Press the power button, now conveniently placed on the underside of the top tube, and the screen shows the battery level and how much power assist you’re using. You can choose from Level 2, Level 1 and no power assistance (although the power is so appealing, you may never switch it off).

Also in the display is other information, such as statistics for your trips and – crucially – the remaining battery range. The power button also turns the lights on and off.

Another upgrade is GPS. Absent from the first models, the Stout knows where you’ve parked. Using the Ampler app, you can lock and unlock the bike remotely, which is a highly useful security benefit, especially for city riders.

Ampler Stout review

The 250-watt rear hub motor assists you for speeds up to 15.5 miles per hour (Image: AMPLER)

Ampler Stout review

Ampler Stout review (Image: AMPLER)

The 250-watt rear hub motor assists you for speeds up to 15.5 miles per hour. Any faster, and you’re on your own. In practice, it’s a seamlessly smooth ride, gently boosting you from standing still with enough oomph to make a difference, but never a harsh acceleration to jolt you.

It’s at its most effective helping you take a steep hill where you glide (gratefully and gracefully) away, past sweating cyclists on regular bikes. If only they knew you had electric assistance.

In tests, I found the range to be around 45 miles, edging to 50 miles or more on flatter terrain

In tests, I found the range to be around 45 miles, edging to 50 miles or more on flatter terrain. Recharging the bike takes around 2 hours 30 minutes, which is fast enough to be convenient.

Ebikes can be heavy, but the Stout clocks in at 17.8kg, meaning that you can easily heave it up a few steps, but living on the third floor would make it a chore to carry. Even so, as e-bikes go, it’s relatively light.

It comes in two frame sizes, 58cm for riders 5 feet 5 inches up to 6 feet 6 inches, and a 55cm one for those between 5 feet 4 inches and 6 feet tall. There are two slick but subtle colors, Meteor Ash which is a deep, dark grey and Pearl Black which has a darker, quietly gleaming feel to it. Both have an appealing, demure and understated look.

Ampler Stout review

Ampler hand-builds its ebikes in Talinn, Estonia (Image: AMPLER)

By the way, the Ampler Stellar is similar to the Stout but has a step-through frame, if you prefer that.

Ampler Stout Gen 2 is available from amplerbikes.com and costs £3,190. The earlier Stout G1 model is available in an Anniversary edition and costs £2,290.

Both are great, but the second-generation model is sublime: a spectacularly enjoyable ride with a subtle but effective electric boost.

The Ampler Stout Gen offers a spectacularly enjoyable ride with a subtle but effective electric boost

And if you are tempted to cycle more, there are several accessories you shouldn’t do without. Living in Britain you need protection from the rain: Transit Trousers from the pleasantly named Showers Pass are impressively waterproof and make a big difference. Currently on offer at £92.

Keeping your tyres well inflated will help guard against punctures. Best is a stand pump like the excellent Topeak Joe Blow Sport EX, currently on special offer from Tredz for £29. And finally everywhere but especially in urban environments, a decent lock is essential. Kryptonite makes reliable and incredibly sturdy locks in its New York range. The Standard Lock is highly effective – £82.99 from Halfords (which may sound expensive until the second after a cheaper lock proves no match for the thieves).



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All Gmail users put on red alert to avoid ‘critical’ issue – check your settings

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If you spend endless hours a day glued to social media or have a Gmail/Yahoo inbox that is brimming with emails, you might want to take notice of the latest advice from security experts. It appears that online crooks are targeting accounts on an almost daily basis, and it’s putting millions at risk of attack.

In fact, new data from Action Fraud says there were a whopping 35,434 reports sent by UK consumers in 2024; that’s up from 22,530 the year before.

If that figure wasn’t bad enough, nearly £1m was pinched by hackers after successfully targeting unsuspecting users. Those are worrying stats, and Action Fraud wants to stop more people from becoming a victim.

To avoid losing more money to thieves or having personal data stolen, the UK experts are now urging those with online accounts to make some urgent changes to avoid this ‘critical’ issue.

“As social media and email account hacking remains the most reported cybercrime this year, this Action Fraud campaign marks a critical issue for everyone who has online accounts. That’s why we’re raising awareness of the ways people can protect themselves online,” explained Adam Mercer, Deputy Director of Action Fraud.

There are a couple of big threats that are causing the most concern. The first is when a fraudster gains control of an account and begins to impersonate the legitimate owner. The infamous “Hi mum” scam is a good example and has seen some people handing over vast sums of money to people they thought were family.

The other common method of hacking is when account details are gained via phishing scams, or the use of leaked information used from data breaches, such as leaked passwords. This can give scammers instant access to email accounts which can then be used to steal data.

So how can you avoid being the next victim?

Action Fraud says it’s vital that users turn on 2-step verification. This security setting means no accounts can be accessed until a code is sent to a separate device owned by the user.

It’s also important to check email accounts have a unique password that is different from all other accounts. Make sure your email is also tough to crack.

For example, if your current Gmail password is a name such as “liverpool”, just add some extra characters and capital letters.

ORIGINAL PASSWORD: liverpool

MORE SECURE PASSWORD: L1ver_Po@l

“Follow Stop! Think Fraud advice and protect yourself online: enable 2-Step Verification on each online account you have – this will help prove your identity and stop fraudsters trying to steal or access your valuable information. Secure your social media and email accounts by ensuring each password is strong and uses three random words. Remember to never share your passwords with anyone else,” added Mercer.

The latest warning is also being backed by the team at Meta who own services such as Facebook and Instagram.

“Scammers are relentless and continuously evolving their tactics to try and evade detection, which is why we’re constantly working on new ways to keep people safe while keeping bad actors out. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is one crucial example of how people can add an extra layer of security to their Meta accounts, to help reduce the risk of scammers accessing your accounts. We’ve also started rolling out facial recognition technology to help people get back into compromised or hacked accounts and are always working on new ways to stay ahead of scammers.”

Don’t forget, if you spot any strange emails then simply send them to [email protected]. This could help block more people from being targeted.



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