Billy Steele
Billy has been covering audio for a decade, with hundreds of headphone, soundbar, speaker and gear reviews during that time. After beginning his career in tech journalism as a news freelancer at Engadget in 2011, he progressed to a full-time member of the news desk in 2013. In addition to hardware, his expertise includes audio platforms and streaming services with significant long-form reporting on those topics. In 2019, Billy was Engadget’s most prolific reviewer, completing more product testing than anyone else on staff. He's also an aspiring backyard pitmaster with a number of smart grill reviews and outdoor gear guides under his (apron) belt. Recently, Billy has expanded his reporting to motorsports with in-depth coverage of Formula E’s Gen3 car.
- Engadget
Sony's MDR-M1 studio headphones offer an audio and comfort upgrade over the MDR-7506
Sony's new studio-monitoring headphones have upgraded drivers, wide frequency response and high noise isolation.
- Engadget
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds are coming in 2025
The successor to the Powerbeats Pro is coming next year.
- Engadget
Noble Audio pairs dynamic and planar magnetic drivers in its first headphones
Noble Audio's first headphones feature a unique driver arrangement that should offer enhanced audio quality.
- Engadget
Klipsch's latest soundbar is the first to come with Dirac Live room calibration
Klipsch's largest and most powerful soundbar in its current lineup has a unique feature to adjust to your living room.
- Engadget
Bang & Olufsen debuts the $1,549 Beoplay H100 headphones
You'll really have to love Bang & Olufsen audio gear to invest in its latest flagship headphones.
- Engadget
Spotify says Apple 'discontinued' the tech for some of its volume controls on iOS
Spotify has created a temporary solution for volume controls on iOS when using Spotify Connect after Apple made a change to its operating system.
- Engadget
Sony's new budget-friendly earbuds have a transparency mode and longer battery life
Sony WF-C510 have a key feature most budget earbuds don't: ambient sound mode.
- Engadget
Apple Podcasts now has a useful web interface for browsing and listening to shows
Apple Podcasts on the web now allows you to do a whole lot more than just listen.
- Engadget
Dyson OnTrac headphones review: When the basics aren’t enough
An almost infinitely customizable design is what’s unique about Dyson’s first headphones (without onboard air purifiers).
- Engadget
Meater's Pro XL uses four of its updated wireless probes to monitor your grill with WiFi
Meater is putting its updated wireless probes to use in a new smart grilling hub.
- Engadget
Why is the Sonos app so broken?
The Sonos app is so badly broken that the company is delaying new products to fix it.
- Engadget
Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2 are its first earbuds that work with Gemini AI
The new Pixel Buds Pro 2 are smaller and more powerful, but its Tensor-powered features come in earbuds that are also more expensive.
- Engadget
Sonos is delaying two product launches until it fixes its buggy app
A poorly rolled out app update months ago is impacting Sonos' bottom line and causing product delays.
- Engadget
Spotify lyrics are back for free users
Spotify users who don't pay for a subscription can once again see lyrics for any song they listen to on the service.
- Engadget
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro review: AirPods clones that actually deliver
The Galaxy Buds 3 series offers two sets of great earbuds, but Samsung borrowed heavily from Apple to design them.
- Engadget
ThermoWorks' RFX Meat wireless probe uses radio waves instead of Bluetooth to monitor food on the grill
ThermoWorks employs radio waves for a more reliable wireless meat probe on its new RFX line of grilling gear.
- Engadget
Dyson's OnTrac headphones ditch the Zone's air purifier for 'audio-only' use
Dyson's first "audio-only" over-ear headphones don't have an air filtration system. They're just a set of ANC headphones with a decidedly Dyson design and a $500 price tag.
- Engadget
Beats Pill review: A revival worth the wait
The Pill is a worthy revival mostly due to the much-improved sound quality.
- Engadget
Apple replaces the black HomePod mini with a black HomePod mini
Apple replaced the Space Gray HomePod mini with a Midnight version and... well, you try to tell the difference.
- Engadget
Bose adds multipoint Bluetooth to its QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Ultra Open Earbuds
You can now connect your QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Ultra Open Earbuds to two devices and switch between them with ease.