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

Akai MPC Live II review: A truly portable all-in-one studio
The follow up the Akai's all-in-one music-making machine comes with built-in speakers, making the already portable device even more flexible.
The gear to get for your next winter adventure
Here's a list of the best outdoor tech you can buy for the winter, as chosen by Engadget editors.
DJI's Mavic Mini 2 brings 4K video, RAW photos and double the range
DJI's smallest drone is back, this time with 4K video and over double the range.
DJI's Pocket 2 handheld promises higher quality and mods
DJI revisits the Pocket handheld video camera. Now, the stabilized shooter has a wider lens, a bigger sensor and optional mod accessories.
Native Instruments Maschine+ review: Freedom in a box
Maschine has a long legacy, and the latest member of the family -- the plus -- is a worthy addition. Now you can make beats, demos and tracks without feeling like you're checking your email. This flexibility comes at a price though.
Teenage Engineering's OB-4 speaker lets you remix the radio
Take one Bluetooth speaker, add some wild imagination and you basically have the OB-4 from Teenage Engineering.
High-tech hearing aids for gadget lovers
These days, hearing aids are becoming more like consumer technology. We take a look at two of the latest and greatest to see which one should appeal to gadget lovers the most.
Petcube Cam is a small, smart way to keep tabs on your furbabies
Petcube makes home cameras designed specifically for animal lovers. The Cam is the latest, smallest and cheapest in the line.
GoPro Hero 9 Black review: More power, more affordable
The new GoPro Hero 9 Black is here, and we've put it through it's paces. The new front screen, the improved 5K resolution, extra battery life all add up to an impressive camera that grows beyond its action roots.
GoPro Hero 9 Black: Everything you need to know
GoPro just announced the Hero 9 Black, and it's a hefty update, here's everything you need to know, including new features, hardware, accessories and price.
WildLeaks: The whistleblowing site for planet Earth
“Really, fuck fuck fuck fuck, fuck” Andrea Crosta tells the driver of the car he just got in. Crosta is the founder of WildLeaks, a whistleblowing site for environmental crime, and he’s just aborted an undercover operation with a prominent ivory trader in China. Crosta wasn’t alone, and his collaborator’s hidden camera was spotted after she conspicuously moved her purse in front of some illegal merchandise.
Vava 4K short-throw projector review: Home theater on a relative budget
You might not have heard of Vava, but its short-throw projector is surprisingly good and priced competitively.
GoPro unveils Twitch-like streaming service for thrill-seekers
GoPro.com will soon be a destination for live action video streams.
DJI’s magnet-mounted OM4 fixes a major pain point
DJI's next mobile gimbal is called the OM4, and it mounts your phone with magnets.
Akai introduces 'MPC Beats' music-making software for beginners
MPC Beats offers eight MIDI/instrument tracks and just two audio tracks.
Rode's updated Rodecaster Pro proves software is the key to good hardware
This week, the Rodecaster Pro became a little more useful. When Rode released the Rodecaster Pro in 2018, it was a boon to budding podcasters. The Rodecaster Pro’s noise gate, for example, can be pretty aggressive.
Soulwax and the hunt for the EMS Synthi 100
Belgian electro-rockers, Soulwax, had been searching for the EMS Synthi 100 for decades before discovering one right in their home town.
Making an indie phone is not for the faint-hearted
You can build your own PC easily, so why not a phone? It's not just the complex internals, there are many more challenges to overcome. Yet some are still trying.
Akai's MPC Live II is a portable studio with built-in speakers
Today, Akai reveals the MPC Live II. The Live II has one obvious new addition: a pair of “studio monitors” built right in. The speakers sit along the bottom and offer stereo sound wherever you are.
Nuraloop review: Smart sport buds, elevated
The Nuraloop sports buds offer personlized sound, excellent battery life and active noise cancellation, making them worthy Powerbeats rivals.

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