This week we have Loewe's announcement of Bild 3 "entry-level" TV range, Microsoft effectively discontinued its Windows Phone platform and Libratone introduced two new USB-C headphones that will work with Google's Pixel 2 range of smartphones.
Review-wise it was a stellar week, with Sony's KD-65A1 4K TV receiving plenty of plaudits, as well as Cowon's Plenue D portable music player and KEF's Q350 5.1 speaker package.
Also this week, we announced our 2017 Awards winners. Visit our special What Hi-Fi? Awards site to see which products won in each category. But for the winners of our Product of the Year Awards, you'll have to wait until we announce them on 15th November.
News
Loewe’s Bild 3 range of 4K TVs mixes LCD and OLED models
Loewe's Bild 3 range is the German manufacturer's 'entry-level' range of TVs, made up of LCD and OLED models.
The 43in and 49in LCDs have support for HDR 10 and Hybrid Log Gamma, while the 55in adds Dolby Vision HDR into the mix. All three come with an integrated 80W soundbar.
Available in two different finishes, the 43in model costs £1690, the 49in £2090 and the 55in £2790.
READ MORE: Loewe’s Bild 3 range of 4K TVs mixes LCD and OLED models
No new hardware for Windows Phone, admits Microsoft Vice President
Windows Phone platform will no longer receive new features or updates by Microsoft, apart from security patches.
Microsoft's vice-president Joe Belfiore admitted that the number of users was too low to continue investment in the platform.
It's likely Microsoft will switch to Android, offering a launcher that comes with its own preloaded software.
READ MORE: No new hardware for Windows Phone, admits Microsoft Vice President
Libratone launches Google-certified USB-C and wireless headphones
Libratone's Q-Adapt In-Ear USB-C and Q-Adapt on-ear MfG wireless headphones have been designed with the new Google Pixel 2 smartphones in mind.
They feature an adjustable noise cancellation feature called CityMix, which allows users to tune the headphones according to their surroundings.
Both models will be available in Europe from the start of November.
READ MORE: Libratone launches Google-certified USB-C and wireless headphones
More news
McIntosh's new amplifier is its smallest yet
Tidal brings its 50% off Student tier to UK
NAD launches another turntable and new integrated and power amps
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A look back at the first What Hi-Fi? Awards, 1983
A brief history of the portable music player
Sonos: everything you need to know
Multi-room audio: everything you need to know
Best buys and deals
The best home cinema deals – 4K Blu-ray players, AV receivers and more
Black Friday 2017: when is it? Where are the best deals?
The best What Hi-Fi? deals of the month
Reviews
We were very much fans of the OLED A1 in its 55in size, and the 65in version is more of the same.
The bigger screen helps enhance its great qualities. Black performance is typically inky, while colour, motion and sharpness are spot on. Even the sound is above average for the typical flatscreen.
It may be the finest TV that money can currently buy, so long as you have £4500 in your pocket.
Read the full Sony KD-65A1 review
Anyone looking for a simple, relatively cheap portable music player should give the Plenue D more than just a glancing look.
Despite the budget price, this is a high-quality player with a punchy bass, insightful midrange and solid control over tonal balance. It's easily better than a smartphone sound.
If you're not looking to break the bank, this comes highly recommended.
Read the full Cowon Plenue D review
We were already familiar with the KEF Q350s, so the only question is whether they work as well in a 5.1 speaker package - and they do.
While they take up a bit of space, the speaker package's bold and powerful performance is a thoroughly enjoyable one.
The centre speaker lacks a little expression at lower volumes, but aside from that, this is a talented performer.
Read the full KEF Q350 AV 5.1 review