Krisada Tepkulmanont/Getty Images

Smartwatches are simplified smartphones in many ways, even including built-in GPS for location tracking and map-style apps. Typically, the watches that come with GPS functionality are more expensive. Given that they can be pricier, it raises the question of whether or not GPS is truly necessary. Can you get by without it, and why would you want it in the first place?

GPS, which stands for global positioning system, allows the watch to directly connect to satellite systems to accurately pinpoint your location and track metrics like travel routes, speed, distance, and more, all without a phone. Some devices that do not have integrated GPS can still determine your location by connecting to a phone via Bluetooth. This is how many cheap smartwatches that punch above their price bracket work. They rely on the phone’s GPS while keeping a more affordable design. But if you want to leave the phone behind, watches with exclusive support are the way to go. True GPS is more accurate, but it does drain the battery faster when in use. That could be an issue if you’re exploring the remote wilderness and don’t have a battery backup solution — like a portable charger.

The next question is, do you really need GPS in a smartwatch? The answer is, it depends on how and where you’re using the watch and what you want to track. If you’re mostly working out indoors in a gym and don’t spend much time running or biking, you can certainly go without it. During activities where you want to track your route or distance, you’ll want some form of GPS.

When would you use GPS in a smartwatch?

Harbucks/Getty Images

Smartwatches collect a wide range of usage data through a variety of sensors, from health and body stats to travel routes and step counts. GPS is one of the necessary components for tracking distance or location-based data. While necessary for these activities, it is worth noting that smartwatch providers may be selling personal health data they collect, including location details, which was the case with Google and Fitbit devices.

GPS tracking is useful during activities where you need to know your location, how far you’ve gone, how fast you’ve gone, or even to briefly look up directions. In regard to activities, that means it can be helpful when you’re running, walking, biking, training, kayaking, exploring remote areas, and exercising outdoors. You wouldn’t need it for things like weight-lifting or gym-specific workouts, working out at home, or running on a treadmill. The health tracking features of a smartwatch aren’t tied to the GPS functionality, so you can still track stats and performance without it. 

If you want longer battery life, skipping GPS — or leaving it disabled — may be a smart idea. There are smartwatches with longer battery life than the Apple Watch Series 11, which lasts for about 24 hours. Then there’s the question of how long cheap smartwatches usually last, namely, super affordable models without GPS. They tend to last about three years and sometimes less, so if you want something tougher, it may be best to go with a premium model built with more durable materials, regardless of GPS capabilities.

Source

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

C-3PO is much more than the bungling protocol droid that he appears to be. Sure, he can speak to moisture vaporators and program binary loadlifters, but the droid’s actions speak louder than the posh British wailing we hear onscreen. It’s a voice that Star Wars creator George Lucas originally didn’t want. But his decision to stick with Anthony Daniels as C-3PO adds depth to the story and a lore that Lucas couldn’t have foreseen.

In August 1977, Lucas sat down with “Rolling Stone” to talk about his blockbuster “Star Wars: A New Hope.” This first film in his series made $120 million just four months after release. In the interview, Lucas said Threepio was supposed to sound much different. He wanted an American voice to balance the cast’s accents. That all changed when Anthony Daniels tried out.

Lucas conceived of C-3PO with an “oily” and “used-car dealerish” voice. He had written Threepio as a con man from the Bronx, not a fussy British servant. After sitting through 30 pre-shoot test readings, Lucas thought no one could match how Daniels got into the role. Daniels, meanwhile, didn’t plan to audition. His agent told him, “Don’t be stupid.” During the audition, however, Daniels connected with a painting of C-3PO, noting the character’s vulnerability. The decision to go with Daniels, who presented a superior and almost snobby portrayal of C-3PO, changed the Millennium Falcon crew’s dynamic and ultimately the “Star Wars” universe.

C-3PO’s asteroid field warning shows the calculating droid hidden beneath the British butler act

After filming “A New Hope,” Lucas was apparently not satisfied with C-3PO. Mark Hamill said in the 2018 documentary “The Director and the Jedi” that after Lucas watched the footage, he didn’t like C-3PO’s voice. Daniels said that if Lucas had told him he wanted Threepio to sound differently, he would’ve approached it differently. Lucas auditioned more than 100 voiceover actors after the shoot. However, he ultimately stuck with Daniels.

The decision may have given more nuance to Threepio’s character. Hamill said about the voice, “It’s all part and parcel of the organic character.” When you look at C-3PO’s actions in Star Wars through this lens, Hamill may be on to something. The voice alters your sense of his intentions. On the surface, the droid flees, whines, and pleads through every crisis. But beneath the performance, C-3PO’s actions may reveal motivation that defies his apparent programming.

Anakin Skywalker built C-3PO out of scrap parts and programmed the droid for diplomacy tasks. Yet, in “Empire Strikes Back,” while escaping TIE fighters, C-3PO calculates the crew’s chance of survival at 3,720 to one. It’s a precise number calmly delivered by a droid who is designed to follow orders but panics under pressure. Forbes called the odds “suspiciously precise” and Scientific American questioned how a calculation like that could be made. Maybe C-3PO did what the car salesman George Lucas originally wrote for the role would do. Maybe a terrified C-3PO reached for an alarmingly precise number to manipulate Han into steering away from the asteroid field. Except the conman recognized the con. Han flew straight in.

The protocol droid’s history of calculated deception shows Lucas’ con man is still there

The oily conman that Lucas first wrote into the script is coded into C-3PO’s character. It’s hidden under a golden facade and Daniels’ subservient-seeming British voice, which Hamill describes as having “Upstairs, Downstairs” champagne-serving etiquette. There’s more going on under the hood that’s hard to see until watch C-3PO in action.

Consider how often C-3PO breaks protocol with a lie or misdirection. When we first meet C-3PO, the droid says, “There’ll be no escape for the princess this time.” After landing on Tatooine and meeting Luke, C-3PO says when asked who the princess is, “I’m afraid I’m not quite sure, sir. I think she was a passenger on our last voyage.” C-3PO might be programmed to not recognize her but could also be strategically misleading Luke to either protect the princess or keep him away from another dangerous mission.

The droid also lied to stormtroopers at least twice on the Death Star and even went along with pretending to be an Ewok deity in “Return of the Jedi.” All these are signs of a smartly written conman hiding in plain sight and a cunning strategist masked by Daniels’ voice. It’s a posh delivery now considered the Core Worlds accent, which is how the upper class speaks in the “Star Wars” universe. C-3PO might be one of the most underrated droids in “Star Wars,” once you realize there are several layers of character operating under that metal framing. This kind of depth of lore and storytelling may never have taken shape if Lucas had not cast Anthony Daniels as C-3PO.

Source

KinoMasterskaya/Shutterstock

Whenever a device stops working or a particular component fails, say your laptop stops charging because of a dead battery or doesn’t turn on at all, you often have to pick between repair and replacement. For the longest time, repairs seemed like a good choice, then replacing devices became more common, but as of late, repairs have become popular again. However, many still fall for the biggest tech repair myths. While there will always be exceptions, these myths shouldn’t stop you from opting for repairs or even considering the idea.

Many of the myths stem from aggressive marketing campaigns by manufacturers, while others come from lived experiences. For instance, repaired devices may sometimes fail again within weeks or people may lose data during repairs, but these things don’t happen as frequently as you’ve been conditioned to believe. Companies benefit when you replace devices with a single faulty part, while with repairs, you generally end up saving time, money, and effort.

Keep in mind that repairs can be a smart choice in many cases, and outright impractical in a few. To understand how that works, you first need to know the common repair myths. That will help you make an informed decision, based on the device’s condition and other related factors.

Repairs aren’t effective in the long run

Danchooalex/Getty Images

One of the most common myths about tech repairs is that they’re not as effective, especially in the long run. Many believe that the device will fail sooner if the faulty component or the entire device is not replaced. While that may have happened to some, it can’t be treated as fact. The effectiveness of repairs largely depends on the quality of work done and the extent of the problem. For instance, low-quality repairs are usually not effective, and the problem is bound to reappear. Similarly, if the fault is too complex and puts other components at risk, say an issue with the motherboard, replacing that part may be the smarter choice.

On the other hand, there are problems that are easy to fix. For instance, if your system is overheating, simply cleaning the PC to clear dust buildup can help bring temperatures to safe operating levels. On older laptops with a removable case, this doesn’t even require professional help. Similarly, there are times when repairs or workarounds are financially feasible. For instance, if your laptop has broken or damaged hinges, they can be repaired at a fraction of the cost of replacement. Similarly, if a USB port is not working, you can get a USB hub or docking station.

As long as you’re getting the repairs done by the OEM or a professional, it’s not a problem in most cases. Also, some offer warranties on repairs, which could range between 3–12 months. Verify that, and if possible, opt for those, given the better work quality.

Older devices don’t benefit from repairs

Savanevich Viktar/Shutterstock

Another myth people generally fall for is that it’s not worth fixing older devices, especially when newer models are available. It’s largely based on the assumption that older devices are prone to problems, and even if you repair one, another component will fail sooner or later. But that’s far from true, especially for devices that have been maintained well.

For example, if you have a 5–7 year old laptop that has poor battery life and has become slow over time, replacing the battery and switching to an SSD from an HDD will improve performance. Similarly, adding more RAM can make it feel faster. And these are much more cost effective options compared to getting a new laptop. Another problem with modern laptops is that many models now come with soldered RAM, which, though faster, is not upgradable. Additionally, with the rising costs of RAM and SSDs, computer prices have increased in the last few years, making repairs all the more practical and financially feasible.

Of course, for some older devices, repairs may not make sense. For instance, a laptop or smartphone that no longer receives updates becomes a security risk, and you’re better off getting one that’s supported. But there are again workarounds. Recently, users with devices that didn’t support Windows 11 switched to alternatives like Linux or ChromeOS Flex to ensure functionality and long-term software support.

Third-party repairs are sub-par and void warranty

blstq/Shutterstock

While this may have been true a decade ago, the situation now is very different. There are a number of professional third-party repair centers everywhere, offering the same quality of products and overall experience as OEMs. So, third-party repairs are no longer sub-par.

Additionally, voiding warranty is another common concern. But not every repair from a third-party professional will void your device’s warranty, provided it’s still relatively new and covered under the program. To find out the types and extent of repairs allowed by the manufacturer, check the device’s manual or the OEM’s website. But with more stringent laws being enforced and the Right-to-Repair Movement gaining prominence, manufacturers are being forced to make repairs simpler. Besides, companies like Framework are now pushing modular laptops, where most repairs and upgrades can be performed at home.

At the same time, low-quality repairs remain a concern for some. While they can’t explicitly be linked to third parties, the chances are certainly there, as OEMs strive to maintain a certain standard. So, if you’re looking for third-party repairs, don’t always go with the cheapest one. Research your options and pick a repair service with the best reviews.

Repairs may expose your personal data

Vittaya Pinpan/Getty Images

We have all heard stories about people losing their personal data after handing over their device for repairs. And while such cases exist, it’s not a universal problem. Firstly, most repairs don’t even require access to your phone, let alone the data on it.

For instance, batteries, charging ports, or faulty buttons can be replaced on locked devices. Secondly, the problem is often a result of negligence on the user’s part. If you’re handing over a device without a passcode or biometric protection, you’re directly risking the data. Even if that device is lost, the risks are the same. Anyone who finds it can access or misuse the data.

Apart from that, companies now offer built-in features to protect users against data loss. For example, BitLocker on Windows PCs encrypts drives, preventing unauthorized access. Even if you have given your laptop over for repair, they won’t be able to access the data on it, as long as you have not shared the PIN, password, or the BitLocker Recovery Key.

DIY repairs are just as good

abdallah abdelal/Shutterstock

The past few years have seen a significant increase in DIY repairs, and while these can be more convenient and fun, they’re not always safe. The first challenge is finding the right tools for the job. Even if you find them, it’s not as easy as most people think. Laptops are getting sleeker, and the components are more closely packed than ever.

Without the necessary skill set and experience, you’re likely to damage the components. Online tutorials can offer guidance, but can’t be relied on entirely. For regular users, DIY repairs are a major risk, and if things go wrong, you may end up spending more than what you would’ve paid for a professional repair service. Additionally, DIY repairs can often be time-consuming. You may have to spend hours on something that would ideally take a professional 30 minutes.

Remember, simple repairs like battery replacement, changing cables, or cleaning dust accumulation can be done at home. But for anything that’s more complicated and involves internal system components, seeking professional help is the smarter choice.

Source

PJ McDonnell/Shutterstock

AI-generated content is becoming prolific enough that we need clear indicators when it’s present, which explains why many services are now requiring creators to disclose its use. Steam has added an AI disclosure on the pages of games that use it, and social media networks have their own ways of identifying and disclosing AI. Spotify is now joining the trend, except it’s using the opposite approach: A new “Verified by Spotify” badge will show on artist profiles indicating “authenticity and trust” or, more aptly, that the artist is human and not AI.

One of many uncomfortable truths about using Spotify as your primary music platform is that it’s starting to get filled with AI slop. While Spotify pledged to clean up the AI content on the streaming service, that didn’t exactly stop the flood of incoming media. This new verified badge will help everyone tell the difference between what they might consider true artistry and synthetic personas. At launch, the feature will help identify 99% of artists that Spotify listeners actively search for, representing “hundreds of thousands of artists.”

The badge will begin appearing on artist profiles and next to artist names in search over the next few weeks, according to Spotify. You’ll see both the “Verified by Spotify” text and a matching green checkmark icon offering clear visibility. Verified artists have “consistent listener activity and engagement,” meaning they’re popular over a long period, have a good standing on Spotify’s platforms and follow service policies, and have an “identifiable artist presence both on and off-platform.”

The verified feature could potentially evolve to include AI artists later

It’s wild to consider, but judging by Spotify’s words, it’s entirely possible that AI content may be tagged with the verified badge at some point. It states, “At launch, profiles that appear to primarily represent AI-generated or AI-persona artists are not eligible for verification.” Pointing out specifically that such profiles will not be supported “at launch” suggests that things may change later. Spotify also says, “In today’s music landscape, the concept of artist authenticity is complex and quickly evolving, and we’ll continue to develop our approach over time.”

That’s an interesting way to word the approach. Artist authenticity may be “complex and quickly evolving” in a landscape where AI is quickly becoming commonplace, yes, but it’s hardly complex to discern what’s human-created and what’s not. Granted, DJ X, a hidden Spotify feature that can make your playlists better, is essentially an AI-powered music assistant.

Regardless of how you feel about AI content on the platform, it’s good to have a clear indicator of who’s authentic and who’s not — for now. Spotify also clarifies a review team will work to verify artists. “We’ll pair these standards with human review and judgment to identify real artists behaving in good-faith, not just filtering out bad actors, giving you a more reliable signal of the authentic artistry behind the music.”

Source

The first four words of the phrase “the rich get richer and the poor get poorer” seem to sum up Elon Musk to a tee. Musk owns companies such as Tesla and SpaceX — or at least has a significant stake in them — and he seemingly earns thousands of dollars a day without lifting a finger. However, unless he can set up a functional colony on Mars, he won’t receive what could be the biggest payout in history.

Recently, Reuters got its hands on some confidential SpaceX pay package information. According to the outlet, Musk will receive “200 million in super-voting restricted shares,” but only on two conditions. First, SpaceX needs to achieve a market value of $7.5 trillion (it is currently valued at an estimated $1.48 trillion). The second condition is much more ambitious: Establish a “permanent human colony on Mars with at least 1 million people.”

While SpaceX is currently focused on setting up a base on the moon, Musk fully intends to resume Mars colonization plans after completing the lunar settlement. After all, such a colony would help any organization or entity travel to Mars. Not only would the moon occasionally cut down some of the distance (when properly aligned), but it can function as a refueling station thanks to carbothermal oxygen reduction reactors that turn lunar soil into oxygen — and because it’s easier to launch rockets from the moon due to its low gravity. That, and because depending on who you ask, Musk isn’t about to give up such a lucrative payout.

The pay package also provides a smaller, easier payout

While Elon Musk will never stop shooting for the moon — er, Mars — a permanent colony 1 million strong is a feat he might never live to see. However, that doesn’t mean he won’t see a cent from any restricted shares.

According to Reuters, the pay package document outlines another payout locked behind a more easily achievable milestone. This consolation prize consists of “60.4 million in restricted shares” if SpaceX can operate orbiting data centers that “provide at least 100 terawatts of compute capacity.” That’s the equivalent of 100,000 nuclear reactors — the average nuclear reactor provides one gigawatt of power — so maybe it isn’t exactly what most people would call feasible. Still more readily achievable than setting up a colony on Mars with a population the size of Jacksonville, Florida.

While we know the number of shares in each payout, their monetary value remains a mystery. But even if Musk doesn’t achieve any of the aforementioned goals, he still stands to earn hundreds of billions through Tesla alone. And again, that’s only one of the many companies he owns, which means he will probably pocket hundreds of billions more in the coming years. And if SpaceX starts making GPUs, that number will climb even higher.

Source

If you’re a frequent YouTube TV user, you might have noticed it getting better with recent updates. As Google promised, some big changes are rolling out to YouTube TV, affecting many aspects of how the service works. For example, there are now more premium plan options, we’ve seen some design and UI changes, and YouTube TV launched a game-changing new feature: multiview customization. Whereas previously, multiview — the proprietary version of picture-in-picture that lets you watch multiple streams at once — offered limited compatibility with live channels, you can now fully customize what’s shown in each panel. You can actually display nearly every live channel available in one of four multiview panes.

You can watch live sports games, add a TV show or movie to the mix, and throw up other content you’re keeping an eye on — like a channel with live financial tickers. Customization is here, it works great, and it certainly makes multiview more satisfying than it used to be. However, there are still limitations, leaving one to question if it could be improved further with a few minor tweaks. For starters, only live content is available, so you can’t watch DVR or on-demand content with it. Moreover, some devices won’t support the new functionality. Google says “less than 5%” of devices are incompatible, but that’s not an insignificant number.

I can’t help but imagine one big way to make multiview extra useful. Being able to choose additional TV inputs on supported devices. That may not even be possible, and it wouldn’t matter on mobile, but watching live sports alongside a game or content from another video source in a separate window would be awesome.

How does the YouTube TV multiview customization actually work?

Once you use the feature, customizing the viewable content in each pane is pretty straightforward. On a YouTube TV device that supports it, with content playing, press down on your remote, select the multiview option, and in the feature panel that appears, simply select which channels you want to watch simultaneously. Google calls this feature panel the Multiview Builder. You’ll also be presented with a few recommendations, such as “Top Picks for You,” “Watch in multiview” channels, and categories like Sports, TV, and more.

It’s a bummer you can’t use pre-recorded, DVR content or on-demand options with multi-view. You’re stuck with live channels only, which somewhat limits your options. It’s not totally unwarranted to hope we’ll see future upgrades. YouTube TV as a whole has been improving steadily. The TV app recently got the Ask feature, which has been available on mobile for years, on top of all the recent changes. With that, you can now ask AI for help to search and learn more about content. Moreover, the new multiview functionality is worlds better than before, so there’s that.

Source

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

The Steam Deck has inspired plenty of rivals, including some even more powerful than Valve’s own handheld gaming computer. These other models offer different features and are often easier to get a hold of than the Steam Deck, which is often out of stock in recent months. One of these is the MSI Claw, a line introduced in March 2024 that uses Intel Core Ultra processors in most models and runs on Windows 11. Newer Claws have added Copilot AI and higher specs, but the MSI Claw A1M-051US and its Ultra 7-155H processor is still a solid piece of hardware.

At $699, the MSI Claw A1M is slightly more expensive than the Steam Deck OLED’s 1TB model, which goes for $649. But while it has about half the built-in storage at 512GB, it justifies the price with stronger technical specs. That said, if the price was a bit too high for you before, it’s worth noting that the MSI Claw A1M is currently on sale at Walmart for $598.95 — a discount of just over $100.

Save money on the MSI Claw A1M through Walmart

At $598.95, a little under 15% off, the MSI Claw A1M is around $50 more than the 512GB Steam Deck OLED. Valve’s handheld has a 1280×800 display with a refresh rate of up to 90Hz. Compare that to the Claw’s 1920×1080 and 120Hz. It’s also faster, with max CPU speed at 4.8 GHz versus the Steam Deck’s 3.5GHz. It’s also Wi-Fi 7 compatible while the Deck is a Wi-Fi 6E device.

Another point in the Claw’s favor is its support for different gaming platforms, including Steam, Xbox, and Epic. While Steam Deck users can play games from Xbox and other third parties, you’ll have to go through the effort of downloading separate launchers yourself. On top of that, the Claw has Hall Effect joysticks – which are designed to be more resilient and not develop stick drift — and it also features customizable RGB lights around the joysticks and buttons.

Other elements of the MSI Claw A1M are comparable to the Steam Deck, including its 16GB of RAM and slightly smaller screen (7″ to the Steam Deck’s 7.4″). One common complaint among Claw models is regarding battery life, but that’s not by any means unique. After all, users are always trying to find ways to extend their Steam Deck’s battery. If you’re looking for a new gaming handheld, Walmart’s deal on the MSI Claw A1M is a compelling discount. Not only is it the more powerful hardware, but unlike the Steam Deck, it’s available right now.

Source

Taron Egerton is a versatile Welsh actor who gained international acclaim for his starring role in the “Kingsman” movies. More recently, he proved that he can play a terrifying villain in the 2026 Netflix original thriller “Apex.” Egerton possesses a talent for action, comedy, and even horror, and he’s able to steal the show in all three. If you were captivated by Taron Egerton’s dramatic performance in “Apex,” your next watch should be the nine-episode series “Smoke” on the Apple TV platform.

“Smoke” tells the story of an arson investigator (Taron Egerton) and a police officer (Jurnee Smollett) who team up to capture a duo of serial arsonists. In this criminal pursuit drama, Egerton’s character is what draws you into the narrative. It quickly becomes apparent that there is friction between the main characters and that deeper secrets and conspiracies lie beneath the surface. Taron Egerton was even nominated for a BAFTA for his role in “Smoke,” so it’s definitely worth watching for his performance.

A compelling cop drama filled with obscured secrets

“Smoke” is more than just a clever name for an arson story; it’s also a perfect descriptor for the elusive nature of this series. As Alan Sepinwall said in his Rolling Stone review of “Smoke,” it “starts off a hacky cop show.” It’s only after you hold out for a few episodes that you realize how compelling it actually is. It’s as if there’s a layer of proverbial smoke obscuring the main mysteries, and you have to wait for it to clear away.

Episodes six and seven of the show’s single nine-episode season have the highest ratings on IMDb. It makes perfect sense: the last half of “Smoke” is where it evolves from being a typical police show into a unique story with a premise that actually stands out. And, as with any good character-driven drama, our lead character is at the center of it all. Fans of Taron Egerton will enjoy seeing how his character responds to transformative revelations as they come to light.

With the release of Netflix’s “Apex,” now is a great time to go back through the entire Taron Egerton catalog. If you like “Smoke,” you’ll also love the Apple TV series “Black Bird.” These two shows are enough to justify at least one month of the service, even after last year’s Apple TV subscription price increase.

Source

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Dropping more than $500 on a Bluetooth speaker should translate to great sound quality, solid battery life, and a handful of audio settings and customizations that are easy and entertaining to use. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case, as evidenced by Consumer Reports (CR) after testing the Sony SRS-XV900, a $900 party speaker that ended up delivering a pretty lackluster experience. As a matter of fact, the speaker even made it on CR’s list of the 25 worst products of 2025.

“Hazy, grainy, muffled, sizzly,” and “smeared” are just some of the descriptive language CR went with to sell its disdain. It’s hard to believe that such a large Bluetooth speaker from a major brand delivers such unimpressive audio, especially when you consider its multiple tweeters, stereo drivers, and its X-Balanced Speaker Unit woofer. It also weighs close to 60 pounds, making its attached wheels a must for carting the XV900 around.

CR also said “[the XV900] has sonic shortcomings that leave a lot to be desired when listening to music,” but did mention that it does a solid job at highlighting dialogue and vocals. Hindustan Times Tech provided a second opinion; while reviewer Shaurya Tomer thought the XV900 sounded great, and that there was a good amount of EQ options to work with, he ended up dinging the speaker for its bulky size.

Choosing the right Bluetooth party speaker doesn’t have to be difficult

The Sony SRS-XV900 will soon be a relic, as the product is already unavailable at Best Buy, and is no longer listed on Sony’s site; though its XV800, XP700, and XV500 siblings can still be purchased. As far as party speakers are concerned, it seems that Sony shifted focus to its ULT lineup. Prices start at $900 for the ULT Tower 9, and go up to $1,200 for the ULT Tower 10. There are also a few non-party Bluetooth speakers in the ULT family, including the ULT Field 1, 3, 5, and 7.

Fortunately, Sony isn’t the only player in town when it comes to pulse-pounding Bluetooth speakers that can fill a backyard with hip-hop. Brands like JBL make a wide variety of speakers, including crowd-pleasers like the PartyBox Stage 320 and PartyBox 110. Party speakers like the ION Pathfinder 320 and Klipsch GIG XXL are awesome options, too.

When choosing a Bluetooth party speaker, it’s important that you ask yourself what features, settings, and connections are most important. RGB lighting, a long-lasting battery, and water protection are just a few of the boxes we’d want to check ourselves. You’ll also want to make sure that the speaker you select is compatible with whatever mobile devices and AV components you plan on hooking up to it.

Source