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

The best mobile microphones for 2025
Here’s a list of the best mobile microphones you can buy, plus how to pick the best one for your needs.
I found the best productivity mouse for work
The humble PC mouse is underestimated. We tested some of the best on the market to see which can serve as a reliable daily driver.
The best DACs for Apple Music Lossless in 2025
Looking for to upgrade your audio so you can enjoy Apple Music's new Lossless offerings? Here's our pick of the best DACs for every device you own.
Ayaneo's NES-inspired mini PC is more than a retro tribute
Mini PCs can be a bit... dull. Ayaneo's AM02 pays tribute to Nintendo's classic console but still offers decent gaming clout. You could also file your taxes with it if you want.
Wired headphones are about to have a mini revival
Wired USB-C headphones are nothing new. You can already find hi-res IEM cables with the connection. Finally you can buy an all-in-one version for hi-res lossless audio on any phone.
How Disney’s A Real Bug's Life docu-series turns insects into giants
Wildlife photography has long been at the cutting edge of technology, and National Geographic's 'A Real Bug's Life' docu-series is no exception.
Yamaha takes on Teenage Engineering with its colorful SEQTRAK groovebox
The SEQTRAK groovebox from Yamaha borrows a lot from Teenage Engineering's OP series, fused with classic sounds from the company's classic synths.
Teenage Engineering's K.O. II sampler proves the company can do cost-friendly cool
At $300, the K.O. II is pretty reasonably priced for what it can do. Despite some quality assurance issues, the EP-133 proves cool doesn't have to be costly.
Dragonyhm is the latest in a wave of new Game Boy RPGs
If you love RPGs and retro gaming, then you'll enjoy these three new titles made for the Game Boy or emulators.
The first affordable headphones with MEMS drivers don't disappoint
Solid-state headphones have been on the horizon for years, but the first consumer product to feature it comes from a name you might not have expected.
The best audio interfaces in 2024
Here's a list of the best audio interfaces you can get right now, as chosen by Engadget editors.
Opal's Tadpole proves webcams don't need to be big or boring
Opal entered the webcam market two years ago with its C1 desktop camera. Now, the company is back and this time it's going after laptop users with the itty bitty Tadpole.
Ableton Live 12 can create MIDI riffs and has a new synth to play them
The latest version of Ableton's popular Live software has lots of new tools for would-be music makers. A new synth and some MIDI creation tools should help the creativity flow.
Teenage Engineering's recorder and mic make the Field series feel complete
Teenage Engineering's Field series is a family of different recording devices. Each has a purpose on its own, but the idea is that they work better together. The question is, do they?
Ayaneo's Kun gaming handheld is an exercise in decadence
The Kun is the largest and most powerful gaming handheld from Ayaneo to date. The massive screen and extra controls make it one of the most featureful out there, but starting at $1,000 it's also the most expesive.
Could MEMS be the next big leap in headphone technology?
California-based xMEMS is one of a small handful of companies pushing the new, solid-state technology. It promises high fidelity with a tiny footprint, but will listeners be convinced?
Analogue's limited edition Pockets are delightful and frustrating
Retro gaming is more than just classic titles from the past, it's also about collecting and finding rare items. Something Analogue is acutely aware of.
Shure hid a preamp inside its latest SM7dB microphone
Now with a built-in preamp, the SM7 series no longer requires third-party gain lifters or heavyweight external audio interfaces for your voice to be heard.
Drop's BMR1 PC speakers are almost really good
There's plenty to like about Drop's BMR1 PC speakers, but there are also enough things that could be improved that make them hard to fully recommend.
GoPro Hero 12: Everything you need to know about all the new features
With features like Log and HDR, the latest GoPro can turn out even richer images while the new Bluetooth feature and built in tripod mount make it much more "vlog" friendly.

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