James Trew

Former Editor-at-Large

James started writing about music and audio before he was legally old enough to go to the nightclubs he was reviewing. Since then he's covered tech and culture for titles such as Men's Journal, Playboy, Future Music and High Snobiety. Since joining Engadget in 2011, James has continued to specialize in the creator space along with maintaining his interest in sub-cultures, with stories on everything from competitive Tetris to skateboard videos and the accidental invention of digital Reggae. In his spare time, he enjoys adding to his list of Podcast ideas that probably might not happen.

Articles by James Trew

Analogue Pocket's first major update should finally unlock its potential
Analogue has finally released the much-awaited update that brings a host of new features to the portable gaming device.
How to survive the inevitable CD revival
Compact Discs are making a comeback, kinda. The shiny digital format is gaining new fans thanks to new gear and of course new music. Here's how to get onboard.
The NuraTrue Pro brings 'CD-quality' to its personalized Bluetooth headphones
The original NuraTrue offered audio tuned to your hearing. Now, the Pro model adds "CD quality" AptX Lossless support.
Rode's Rodecaster Pro II isn't just for podcasting
Rode's first Rodecaster Pro was a nod to the growing popularity of podcasting. With the Rodecaster Pro II the company's going after creators of all stripes.
How Gen Z is pushing NES Tetris to its limits
For decades we all played Tetris the same way. Now teens are finding new ways to play and they're smashing long-standing records .
Amazon AMP preview: Like the app, my radio show needs a little work
Ever wanted to host your own radio show? Now you can with Amazon's AMP. The beta holds promise but there's lots of work to be done before prime time.
Rode's first headphones are the creator-focused NTH-100
Rode is a name synonymous with microphones. But today sees the company debut its first set of headphones, the NTH-100.
Eargo 6: Tiny hearing aids that don't scrimp on features
If your hearing's not perfect but you don't want a cumbersome over-ear device, the Eargo 6 is about as techy and discreet as it gets.
The secret behind Amazon Echo's alert sounds
The sounds we hear in our digital lives often contain more information than we think. Amazon's lead sound designer tells us the process behind the Echo's notifications
Garmin's new Fenix 7 smartwatches get a touchscreen and a flashlight
The Fenix 7 finally has a touchscreen (and a fancy new LED flashlight too).
Khadas' Tea DAC is a compelling MagSafe accessory
DACs, or headphone amplifiers, have become more popular since the rise of lossless music streaming. Tea stands out as it's MagSafe compatible, so no more mega-dongle hanging off your phone.
Rode's VideoMic Go II changed my opinion on what a shotgun mic can do
Rode VideoMic Go II does more than plug into your camera. The USB connection makes it a versatile podcasting mic too.
512 Audio debuts its first 'studio-inspired' USB mics for creators
From the team behind Warm Audio comes two new USB microphones for podcasting and streaming: The Script and the Tempest.
Eargo's latest smart hearing aid adapts to your environment
Eargo's tiny hearing aids don't scrimp on the tech, and the latest model is no exception with automatic mode switching, new noise reduction and a "mask mode."
Roland's AeroCaster VRC-01 is a wireless video mixer for streamers
Shoot multi-perspective videos and podcasts with the camera you already have in your pocket.
Grell Audio's TWS/1 earbuds sound as good as you want them to
Grell Audio's TWS/1 headphones offer premium styling and features without the super-high-end price tag. There's still room for improvement, but the company has made a solid debut with its first product.
Urtopia e-bike is basically a computer on wheels
The motor on the Urtopia e-bike is probably the most lo-fi thing about it. This ride has a lot of promise, from GPS navigation to voice control.
The Evercade VS captures the spirit of retro gaming
Nostalgia is more than just games from the past and the makers of Evercade know this. With collectible cartridges and secrets to unlock the VS is a refreshing spin on the "mini" console.
NVIDIA Broadcast is kinda underrated
NVIDIA's Broadcast app has some pretty special tools for streamers, but you might have overlooked it. Here's a rundown of what it can do for your live recordings.
GoPro addresses Hero 10 overheating issues with new firmware
Some users had reported their cameras stopped recording after 20 minutes when testing battery life. The new firmware offers battery saver features and a specific mode to avoid overheating.

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