Feed aggregator

For quality pork, chicken, beef and fish, these easy only meat subscriptions and delivery services will keep you flush with protein through grilling season.

As the heatwave rolls through, these cooling pillows might be the thing that saves your sleep quality.

Bose SoundLink Plus: Two-minute review

The Bose SoundLink Plus fits the gap between the SoundLink Flex and SoundLink Max nicely. Like its two older siblings, the SoundLink Plus is a sturdy, silicone-and-steel speaker that has an impressive IP67 rating against dust and moisture, can be controlled either via an app or by using buttons on the speaker itself, and will play nicely with other speakers in the Bose line-up.

Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive compatibility and multi-point connectivity is a decent start. A mid/bass driver and a tweeter supported by four passive radiators is welcome specification too, even if Bose is doing its usual thing of failing to quote power, frequency response or any other even mildly interesting information. And battery life of 20 hours (with a following wind) looks good too, especially when you consider a) the speaker’s USB-C slot can also output, as well as receive, power, and b) the battery can be replaced if and when the need arises.

As far as performance goes too, it’s established SoundLink business as usual. Which means expansive and full-figured low frequencies, plenty of detail across the board, direct and informative midrange and a top end that doesn’t get carried away with itself.

One of the best Bluetooth speakers around then, just like it's big brother? Well, in this instance, the SoundLink sonic recipe also means bass sounds that could be better controlled and, as a consequence, rhythmic expression that isn’t as convincing as it might be. Whether or not this is a deal-breaker when balanced against everything the Bose does well will very much depend on you…

Bose Soundlink Plus review: Price and release date

• Available from June 26, 2025
• Priced $269 / £249 / AU$429

The Bose SoundLink Plus is on sale from June 26, 2025, and in the United Kingdom it costs £249. In the company’s native United States it sells for $269, while in Australia you’re looking at AU$429.

That puts it, as you'd expect, a good deal cheaper than the June 2024-issue Bose SoundLink Max it joins in the range, which made its debut at $399 / £399 / AU$599 and hasn't seen too many dips in price since (partly because it is a fantastic speaker).

But it's still a fair bit pricier than our top Bluetooth speaker pick, the JBL Flip 7, which arrived in March 2025 and can be yours for $149 / £129 / AU$179.

Has Bose's gamble paid off? Let's dig in!

(Image credit: Future)Bose SoundLink Plus review: Specs

Weight:

1.45kg

Dimensions:

99 x 231 x 86mm (HxWxD)

Battery life (quoted):

20 hours

Connectivity:

Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive codec support

Drivers:

1x mid/bass driver, 1x tweeter, 4x passive radiators

Aux-in:

No

Charger port:

USB-C

Microphone:

No

Waterproof rating:

IP67

Image 1 of 2

Screengrabs from the app (there's plenty to get through this time) (Image credit: Bose)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Bose)Bose SoundLink Plus review: Features

• Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive codec support
• Mid/bass driver, tweeter, four passive radiators
• Up to 20 hours of battery life

The SoundLink Plus uses Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless connectivity, and is compatible with SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive codecs. There’s multi (for which read ‘two') -point connectivity available, too.

Once your digital audio content is on board the Bose, it’s delivered by a speaker driver array consisting on a mid/bass driver, a tweeter, and no fewer than four passive radiators. Bose being Bose, of course, the size and composition of these drivers, their position within the cabinet, and the amount of power that’s driving them, is privileged information. And that’s also the case where the type of amplification the Plus uses, and the frequency response it’s capable of achieving, are concerned too.

If you’re judicious about the volume level you listen at, you should be able to listen to the Plus for as much as 20 hours between charges; if you’re not, you’ll be lucky to get five hours of action. Should the worst happen and your Bose runs flat, charging it back to ‘full’ takes a lazy five hours – although the USB-C slot on the rear of the chassis can also be used as a power output if you need to charge your smartphone or what-have-you. The battery can be replaced by Bose service engineers should the need ever arise, which is a nice nod to a more sustainable tech future too.

• Features score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Bose SoundLink Plus review: Design

• 99 x 231 x 86mm (HxWxD)
• IP67
• Choice of three finishes

You’ll make your own mind up about the way the Bose SoundLink Plus looks, and you’ll certainly have an opinion about the available finishes (black, ‘dusk’ blue or the acidic ‘citrus’ yellow), but there’s no arguing with the hardiness of this 99 x 231 x 86mm (HxWxD) speaker.

Thanks in large part to the use of soft-touch silicone in its construction, the Bose is shock-proof. Thanks to an IP rating of IP67, it’s basically immune to the effects of dust and water – in fact, Bose claims it’s perfectly happy being submerged in up to a metre of water for 30 minutes at a time. The SoundLink Plus floats, though, so you’d have to be pretty patient to test this out definitively. And thanks to a loop of sturdy nylon rope at one end of the chassis, the speaker’s 1.45kg weight can be borne by the strap of a bag or something like that.

Like the larger SoundLink Max, the front of the Plus is a powder-coated steel grille. At the rear there’s a smaller perforated grille, along with a USB-C slot that can move power in either direction.

• Design score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Bose SoundLink Plus review: Sound quality

• Spacious, detailed and punchy presentation
• Impressive dynamic headroom
• Not the last word in rhythmic positivity

It’s not, strictly speaking, a game of two halves because the positives in the way the SoundLink Plus sounds are much more numerous than the negatives. But equally, this Bose is not what I can truthfully describe as an ‘all-rounder’.

As far as the positives go, they are plentiful and gratifying. With a Qobuz-derived hi-res FLAC file of Boring and Weird Historical Music by Telemachus playing, the fractionally warm tonal balance makes a lot of sense and the speaker’s ability to extract plenty of detail throughout the frequency range is straightforwardly impressive. The direct nature of the midrange allows voices to reveal plenty of character and attitude along with the more usual information regarding tone and technique. And at the top of the frequency range, the SoundLink Plus attacks with well-judged gusto, bringing a bit of bite and shine to treble sounds without straying into hardness – even if you’re playing at big volumes (which you won’t be, because it affects battery life so fundamentally).

Bose, of course, isn’t saying how much power is available here, but whatever the specific number it’s more than enough to ensure the SoundLink Plus has more than enough dynamic headroom to deal with the shifts in intensity and/or volume that pepper this recording. The speaker is happy to go very loud indeed without altering its overall sonic characteristics, and when playing at more considered volumes its ability to identify and contextualise even very transient details of harmonic variations is pretty impressive.

And as well as dealing in outright volume, the Bose also creates a large soundstage by the standards of reasonably compact single-enclosure speakers. There’s a sensation of space that’s by no means a given when listening to wireless speakers at this sort of money, an openness that means even involved recordings like Radiohead’s The National Anthem are fairly easy to follow on an individual-instrument basis.

The SoundLink Plus has fairly even frequency response inasmuch as no area is underplayed or overstated to any great degree – but it doesn’t integrate the lowest frequencies with everything happening above them as smoothly as it might. The amount of punch and low-end substance the speaker can summon is impressive, certainly, but there’s a relative lack of control where attack and decay are concerned that means the plentiful bass can drag at tempos a little. Rhythmic expression isn’t as naturalistic as it might be, and low-frequency information can sound just a little estranged from the otherwise-unified presentation.

• Sound quality: 4/5

Bose SoundLink Plus review: setup & usability

• App or button control
• Two SoundLink Plus can form a stereo pair
• No mics means no voice control

There’s a mildly recessed strip of physical controls across the top of the SoundLink Plus – the action is rubbery but quite positive at the same time. Here’s where you can deal with ‘power on/off’, ‘volume up/down’, ‘play/pause’, Bluetooth pairing, and also access a ‘shortcut’ button.

The function of the ‘shortcut’ button can either be ‘access Spotify’ or ‘speaker link’ – you’ll define what you want it to do in the Bose control app that’s free for iOS and Android. ‘Access Spotify’ doesn’t really require any further explanation, but it’s worth noting that ‘speaker link’ allows two SoundLink Plus to form a stereo pair, or any other Bose speaker with a ‘shortcut’ button of its own to share content.

Other app functions include EQ presets and a three-band equaliser to create some settings of your own. There’s the ability to check for firmware updates, and an indication of remaining battery power. As is standard Bose practice, the app is nothing much to look at but is stable, logical and useful.

• Setup & usability: 4.5/5

Bose SoundLink Plus review: Value

The SoundLink Plus is decent value for money, no two ways about it. Yes, it can be bettered for battery life and for charging time, and there are speakers out there with more comprehensive control options. But it’s built to last (and thanks to that IP67 rating, to last anywhere), looks good, and is potent enough to fill even quite large spaces with sound. Sound that’s reasonably balanced, unarguably punchy and actually quite revealing, what’s more.

• Value score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Bose SoundLink Plus?Bose SoundLink Plus

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Strong app support

4.5/5

Design

Robustly made and beautifully (Bose-fully?) finished

4.5/5

Sound quality

Bold and thoroguhly Bose once more, if just a tad lethargic through the bass

4/5

Value

However you look at it, it's a contender at the level

4.5/5

Buy it if…

You’re genuinely careless
The SoundLink Plus is IP67-rated, so dust and moisture even in quite large quantities are no problem

You’re never far from the pool
The Bose speaker floats, which means it’s even more fun in the pool than those inflatables…

You enjoy robust, power-packed sound
‘Punchy’ is almost too mild a word to put the sonic character of this speaker into perspective

Don’t buy it if…

You like to listen loud
The SoundLink will go loud, sure enough, but big volumes affect battery life quite significantly

You’re in a hurry to listen
If you run the battery flat, it will be five hours before it’s fully charged again

You’re all about the dancefloor
Other wireless speakers at similar money are more confident and adept when it comes to rhythmic expression

Bose SoundLink Plus review: Also consider

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation
Recently, we heard and fully enjoyed this lovely little contender. Yes, it’s smaller and sounds less powerful than the Bose and yes, it’s more expensive – but it’s a profoundly accomplished listen and one of the more straightforwardly desirable Bluetooth speakers around.
Read more in our Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Gen review

Sonos Roam 2
The more adventurous can also consider the second-generation Sonos Roam. It’s handily cheaper than the Bose, even more portable, and it looks and feels good. It’s not the loudest speaker this sort of money can buy you, and there’s always the nagging doubt that the control app will strangle itself again but, like I say, it’s one for the adventurous.
See our in-depth Sonos Roam 2 review for the full story

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Bose SoundLink Plus

• Tested for two weeks
• Dual sources used: iPhone 14 Pro and a FiiO M15S digital audio player
• Listened in my home and on the beach

Thanks to its multipoint connectivity, I was able to connect my Apple iPhone 14 Pro and my FiiO M15S digital audio player to the SoundLink Plus at the same time – switching between the two gave a great indication of how well the Bose can perform when it’s given the best shot where codec compatibility is concerned. I listened to lots of music, of different styles and various file sizes, along with a fair amount of spoken word stuff, and I listened in my home and down on the beach. It’s a tough job, and so on…

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed: June 2025

CEO Raymond van Eck explains how the Fairphone 6 is better for people -- including the people who make it -- and better for the planet.

Floored: A Woman's Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Stage.'/>

Your pelvic floor supports organs like your bladder, bowels and reproductive system. Strengthen it with exercises and mantras (like "squeeze before you sneeze") from physical therapist Sara Reardon.

(Image credit: Left: Photograph by Sarah Becker; Right: Park Row)

• For every one person who prefers interacting with AI, 4.4 prefer speaking with humans
• Baby-boomers are seriously anti-AI when it comes to customer service
• Report highlights the value of human connection

According to new research from Okta, 70% of consumers prefer interacting with humans, with only 16% opting for AI agents over humans.

In the UK, this trend is even more pronounced, with just 11% preferring AI agent interactions and one in two (54%) not even trusting AI with their personal data.

Moreover, barely one in three (36%) see any real benefit in AI agents altogether, suggesting that the productivity-enhancing technology might not be at its most useful in customer service settings.

Consumers just want humans

Artificial intelligence is most valued in language translation, research and writing – outputs that are task-orientated, rather than the transactional conversations that are typical of customer service agents.

Globally, Okta found that the ratio of those who prefer humans to those that prefer AI stands at 4.4:1, however countries like the US (4.2:1), Japan (3.4:1) and India (1.1:1) were less worried about talking with humans. Still, no country scored higher for AI, highlighting the importance of human interaction and involvement in customer service.

Okta also compared generations, with baby-boomers hugely less likely to want to talk to AI (41.5:1) – way more than Gen X (9.8:1), Millennials (3.2:1) and Gen Z (2.3:1).

Quite simply, it's the human touch that gives humans the upper edge – 'A human understands my needs better', said two in three (64%) respondents. Frustration when dealing with AI agents was also a significant frustration (38%).

However, there are some benefits to interacting with AI, including quicker and more streamlined responses without emotional bias.

Looking ahead, Okta calls for a measured and calculated approach to AI agents, building security and privacy-first initiatives into them from the get-go. "Finally, don’t overlook the value of human agents – if one thing is clear from the survey, it’s that users still value that human connection," the report concludes.

You might also like

• Customer service hasn’t changed, but how we handle it has, Zendesk EMEA CTO says
• These are the best AI tools and best AI writers to boost productivity
• We've listed the best customer experience tools

• You can now pay annually for Google AI Pro for the first time
• The overall price is the equivalent of getting two months for free
• As yet, ChatGPT doesn't offer annual subscription options

Good news if you're fully committed to Google Gemini AI, and you like saving money: the Google AI Pro subscription can now be purchased annually as well as monthly, and you 'll save yourself a chunk of money if you pay year-to-year.

As spotted by 9to5Google, you can now pay $199.99 for a year of AI goodness, instead of the existing $19.99 a month option – with the latter working out as $239.88 over the 12 months ($39.89 more than an annual plan).

In the UK, your options are £18.99 a month or £189.99 a year (saving you £37.89). It's not immediately clear if the deal is the same in Australia, but there the monthly fee is AU$32.99 – so presumably you'd be looking at AU$329.99 a year (saving AU$65.89). Essentially, you're getting two months free if you pay for a year in advance.

Of course, the downside of annual plans is that you're committed for a full year, so you can't opt out whenever you like – which is why you'll often see annual plans available for less overall, in all the places where you're signing up for a subscription.

How does ChatGPT compare?

Subscription

Monthly price

Annual price

Google AI Pro

$19.99 / £18.99 / AU$32.99

$199.99 / £189.99 (Aus TBC)

Google AI Ultra

$249.99 / £234.99 / AU$409.99

Not available

ChatGPT Plus

$20 / £20 (about AU$30.58)

Not available

ChatGPT Pro

$200 / £200 (about AU$306)

Not available

ChatGPT Plus remains at $20 / £20 per month (AU$30.58 at current rates). There's no option to pay annually as yet, and you can also put up $200 / £200 (about AU$306) per month for the top-tier ChatGPT Pro plan, with fewer limits and more features.

For comparison purposes, Google's own super-charged, pro-level plan is Google AI Ultra, and that's going to set you back $249.99 / £234.99 / AU$409.99 per month. At the time of writing, there's no option to pay annually (perhaps understandably), though you do get the first three months for half price if you want to give it a try.

All of which means there's not too much to choose between the monthly costs of Gemini and ChatGPT, when it comes to the cheaper plans that most people are going to sign up for – but if you want to pay annually and save, that's only possible on the Google service.

We'll have to wait and see whether ChatGPT responds with an annual plan of its own. It's also worth mentioning that you can use both Gemini and ChatGPT for free, but with a limited set of features and more restrictions on your usage.

You might also like

• Google's new Gemini AI model lets robots run offline
• OpenAI may be forced to keep all of your ChatGPT conversations
• Gemini's super-fast Flash-Lite 2.5 model is out now

The new controller feels a little more pro than its predecessor.

Now that 28 Years Later is out in theaters, you'll want a refresher.

They toil in mines, tend crops, scrub floors. An author of a new report on child labor points to great progress in reducing the number of kids who work but says the numbers remain "unacceptable."

(Image credit: Nabila El Hadad)

Senate Republicans race to pass Trump's domestic policy bill by July 4, but are divided on key issues. And, NATO leaders agreed on a defense spending increase at yesterday's summit.

(Image credit: Pool)

While I wish its price were closer to that of the earlier Pad 2, the $700 OnePlus Pad 3 is a markedly premium Android tablet that costs significantly less than Samsung's high-end Galaxy Tab S10 Plus.

This big-screen convertible laptop certainly has some positives but there are a few too many minuses to give this Plus a full-throated recommendation.

Elecrow’s latest invention, the CrowPi3, is an all-in-one Raspberry Pi 5 platform that bundles many popular Arduino modules in a book-sized suitcase. A 4.3” LCD sits in the center with a camera on top. Modules usually used to introduce electronics, such as a breadboard or an LED matrix, are also included. They are all connected to the Pi through its 40-pin header connector. The unit has a built-in battery pack that should provide hours of fun.

Elecrow is running a Kickstarter campaign that will end on July 5th. The product's main selling point is that it can be used as a hardware enabler for AI designs. How much this is true depends on the software ecosystem that ships with it. Elecrow is smart by using the Raspberry Pi as part of its design. This opens thousands of AI and ML libraries for the younger generation targeted by this product.

CrowPi3: Price and Availability

The CrowPi3 is available in nine configurations on the Kickstarter webpage. The Early Birds offer the most value for money and start at $159 for the basic kit, excluding the Pi computer. An 8GB Pi 5 with battery and a gamepad will add an extra $130.

(Image credit: Future)CrowPi3: Design

The CrowPi3 ships with a transparent plastic cover on the main experiment board, which helps protect the delicate circuits and LCD module while on the go.

Specification

Supported board: Raspberry Pi 5, Pi Pico, Arduino, Micro: bit

Number of extensions: 28 Arduino-compatible modules

Size: 28.5 cm x 18.5 cm x 3.8 cm

Weight: 1.1 kg

Video: 4.3” 800 x 480 IPS LCD, 1 x HDMI

Audio: Stereo speaker, 3.5mm headphone jack

Power supply: 27W 12V power adapter

Two small magnets hold the cover in place while a rubber strap on top acts as a handle, creating a look similar to a suitcase. The unit measures 28.5 cm x 18.5 cm x 3.8 cm, for a weight of 1.1 kg, and feels solid. The two compartments on the bottom are easily accessible by sliding plastic doors. One holds the Raspberry Pi board, while the other can store small parts.

Elecrow went above and beyond to pack over thirty electronic modules in a small volume. Even more impressive is that they are all connected to the Pi expansion connector. If the Pi is too much of a hassle to work with, then two extra sockets accommodate a Raspberry Pi Pico board or an Arduino, while the breadboard space allows adding other modules easily.

The Raspberry Pi 5 provides over twice the processing power of its predecessor. The CrowPi3 utilizes all of the Pi’s connectors and interfaces; Two HDMI connectors connect to the integrated display and an optional external screen. The user can access only three USB 3 ports, the fourth reserved for the two-megapixel camera. A 4.3-inch 800 x 480 IPS screen offers excellent brightness and viewing angle, although the small viewing area makes reading text challenging.

The case integrates two 3300mAh rechargeable batteries, which should keep the Pi and screen working for several hours. Networking is available using the 1 Gb Ethernet port or the Pi’s Wi-Fi module. A pair of speakers provides stereo sound output, which can be bypassed using a headphone plugged into the 3.5mm headphone jack.

(Image credit: Future)CrowPi3: In Use

The unit turns on by pressing the right-side power button. A long press on the same button turns the unit off. Two red LEDs indicate whether the unit is charging and turned on. The cooling system is always on without temperature control and produces a low but noticeable whining sound from the fan. The built-in screen is more of a gimmick. An external display is recommended for actual development.

The Elecrow ecosystem builds on a customized version of Raspbian OS, specially tailored for interactive learning. The UI ditches the conventional desktop with icons and instead organizes items in what looks like a dashboard with two distinct sections. The left contains AI modules, while the right holds Python-based projects. The user must create an account to start using the CrowPi3.

The most challenging part of setting up the CrowPi3 is getting the OS up and running. Elecrow provides a 40GB image that, although containing a wealth of material, is just too big to be useful. In contrast, the latest Raspbian desktop image with recommended applications is less than 4 GB. Elecrow should provide a lite version of the OS with additional user packages external to the image.

(Image credit: Future)CrowPi3: Competition

Very few platforms exist that are similar to the CrowPi3. With built-in modules that showcase the Pi’s ability to control peripherals and the various extension connectors spread around the case, the CrowPi3 is a unique product. The curated software library also plays an essential part in the product.

The Joy-Pi advanced product is similar to the CrowPi3 and supports Pi 4. It incorporates modules such as touch sensors and ultrasonic range finders and sports an even smaller 1-inch LCD. However, the price is higher than the CrowPi3, at more than $470. It lacks a battery and key components such as a camera to make an AI platform.

(Image credit: Future)CrowPi3: Verdict

With their newest all-in-one station, Elecrow promotes an AI-centric product on a large scale through their Kickstarter campaign. The CrowPi3 feels well-built and oozes quality with many electronic modules, such as the LCD and touchscreen. However, the software support for voice and image recognition sets it apart from the competition. We liked the general appearance and portability of the platform, with a cute handle that completes the suitcase appearance. Don't let the toy appearance fool you; the platform can be used for more serious stuff, such as software development, but with a bigger external screen.

That said, the unit feels overcrowded. Elecrow thinks cramming as many modules into a small space will win over the general public. The fact is that the platform might overwhelm beginners with its complexity. Also, supporting material such as schematics is missing. You are on your own if the unit breaks and you want to do some repairs. Finally, the fan is noisy and will be a distraction.

Buy it as a gift for kids who like building and breaking stuff.

Don’t buy it if you want to get your hands dirty quickly with the Pi5.

Raspberry Pi: Everything you need to know.

Republicans want to add work requirements for Americans to get Medicaid. Is that a necessary step to fight "waste, fraud, and abuse" or a sneaky way of cutting the social safety net?

The Sirius robot dog goes on preorder Thursday, integrating with OpenAI to develop its "soul."

Commentary: This wildly imaginative comic book series is a visual stunner that officially kicked off the Jean Smart renaissance.

Morgan Lieberman's "Hidden Once, Hidden Twice" is a documentary photo and film project bringing visibility to the lives of senior lesbian couples across the U.S.

(Image credit: Morgan Lieberman)

Jim Obergefell, plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case that legalized gay marriage in all 50 states, reflects on the decision 10 years later and the LGBTQ community's current civil rights fight.

(Image credit: Alex Wong)

The new season picks up right where we left off — with a review of the restaurant — and refocuses on the relationships between Carmy, Sydney and Richie.

(Image credit: FX)