MacLife - UK (2020-02)

Image rights from left: Twelve South, RAVPower.

While Bluetooth headphones and earphones are fast

becoming ubiquitous, there’s still a lot of hardware out

there that uses conventional wires to send and receive

sound. You can’t use AirPods, for example, with a plane’s

AV system or the treadmill at most gyms, or easily hook up

an iPad to an older car stereo.

Well actually, now you can. AirFly Pro is a Bluetooth–to–

analog transmitter and receiver that provides a bridge

between wired and wireless worlds. Charged over USB–C, it

has around 16 hours of battery life and can be paired with up

to two sets of phones at once. In transmit mode, you

convert any 1/8 inch headphone output into a Bluetooth

one. Switched into receive mode, it can beam audio from

your phone to any device with an aux input.

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adding Bluetooth connectivity to older gear. There are other

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embraced wireless listening, it’s a great choice.

THE BOTTOM LINE. An elegant solution for wireless

listening and transmitting in any scenario. HOLLIN JONES

RAVPower’s latest power bank is solid and well

built, with two LG battery cells delivering a total

peak output of 29W. You can connect two devices

at once via the USB–A and USB–C ports, and a

USB–C cable is provided along with a carrying

pouch. When two devices are connected the A

port sends up to 11W of power and the C, 18W. With

only the C port connected, the full 29W is sent

down that single cable.

It takes nine hours to charge the bank over

USB–A and three hours over USB–C. Once charged

it can fast charge an iPhone 11 to 50% in 25

minutes, and contains just over two full charges of

the same device. Phones with smaller batteries

get more — RAVPower quotes four charges of an

iPhone 8, for example. It’s nice to know that even

as a heavy phone user with the latest model, you

can recharge quickly on the go.

THE BOTTOM LINE. A good balance of

capacity, features and price for portable phone

and tablet charging. HOLLIN JONES

AirFly Pro

Connecting the wired to the wireless

$54.99 From Twelve South, twelvesouth.com

Needs Any Bluetooth audio device

RAVPower 10000

PD Power Bank

Charge your device quickly

$43.99 From RAVPower, ravpower.com

Made for USB–C and USB–A phones and tablets

AIRFLY PRO

Easy to use

Use Bluetooth anywhere

Transmit audio, share a signal

Other Airfly models cheaper if you don’t need receive mode

EXCELLENT

RAVPOWER 10000

Sensibly priced

Good capacity, fast charging

USB–C cable supplied

Provide your own Lightning to USB–A cable

EXCELLENT

Tough testing, trusted ratings

maclife.com FEB 2020 51