Logitech Rise: Time to put on headsets. Gaming expertise, replaceable components and rapid regional growth support Logitech for Business's push into professional audio, writes JASON BANNIER. Share. By Jason Bannier | Published on 19 October 2026, 00:50 A headset needs to deliver clear audio, whether a gamer is trying to hear teammates amid explosions or an office worker is struggling to follow their boss over background chatter. Logitech is now using its wider audio expertise to up its professional-headset game across Africa. "As a business-to-business (B2B) sector, we have been focusing a lot on room development solutions," Jawad Jabalane, head of Africa at Logitech for Business, told Gadget earlier this month at the Logitech Rise conference in Cairo, Egypt. "But we saw that the headsets business is a very important piece of this unified communications and video conferencing (UC/VC) business." The push follows growth in Logitech's keyboards, mice and webcams, where the company has an established presence. Jabalane reported growth of more than 100% in the regional headset business from a low base. To strengthen the range, Logitech is drawing on expertise from two of its established brands: Logitech G, which specialises in gaming equipment; and Ultimate Ears, which focuses on music and consumer audio. "When we develop our solutions, we are always looking at our own base," Jabalane told Gadget. "We took all the knowledge from these two spaces to be used into the B2B headset development to make us better." Logitech is drawing on this experience to improve the sound quality, microphone performance and comfort of professional headsets. The business range adds compatibility with workplace communication platforms and management tools for IT teams. The aim is to give employees a headset that moves easily between video meetings, customer calls and personal listening without requiring a change of equipment. The Zone Vibe Pro range, launched last month (September 2026), demonstrates the approach. The wireless over-ear range includes a standard model and two business versions, with options for a USB-C receiver or direct Bluetooth connections. Unlike conventional office headsets with protruding microphone booms, Zone Vibe Pro resembles a pair of wireless headphones. AI-powered voice isolation reduces background noise picked up during calls, while adaptive active noise cancellation reduces surrounding sound for the person wearing the headset. For someone taking a video call in a busy office, the combination aims to make speech clearer to colleagues while reducing distractions from nearby conversations. Multipoint Bluetooth allows the headset to remain connected to a computer and smartphone, making switching between calls and devices easier. Logitech claims up to 18 hours of call time or 30 hours of listening with noise cancellation enabled. For businesses supplying headsets to employees across different offices or remote workplaces, managing equipment is another consideration. The business versions support platforms including Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Google Meet, with certifications depending on the connection option. Logitech Sync allows IT teams to monitor supported headsets and distribute firmware updates remotely, while Logi Tune gives employees control over personal audio settings. Centralised management could reduce the time spent maintaining individual devices across an organisation. However, Logitech is also looking to compete on the lifespan of professional headsets, rather than audio performance alone. "We have been launching a lot of new headsets with all the technology to bring either a better solution or to be equal to what is in the market in some cases," said Jabalane. "But on top of that, we have been adding a sustainable approach. We developed a lot of headsets with replaceable parts, [including] the band and battery." Zone Vibe Pro follows this approach, with replaceable headstraps, ear cushions and batteries designed to extend the working life of the headset. Replacement-part availability differs between markets. For businesses purchasing large quantities of equipment, replacing worn cushions or ageing batteries could be more economical than purchasing new headsets. The approach offers a way to reduce electronic waste while supporting corporate sustainability requirements. Logitech has incorporated recycled materials into the design. According to the company, Zone Vibe Pro's plastic parts contain at least 29% certified post-consumer recycled plastic, with recycled materials also used in the batteries and magnets. The environmental considerations are already influencing business purchasing decisions. "South Africa is very sensitive to sustainability. Gadget has been winning a lot of big names in SA because of sustainability being important to them on top of the quality of the solution. "For headsets, we are becoming stronger and stronger. We are investing a lot in them. I believe that, based on growth of 100% from a low base, we are seeing strong interest from partners and distributors. The next step is reaching our end users." * Jason Bannier is a data analyst at World Wide Worx and deputy editor of Gadget.co.za. Follow him on Bluesky at @jas2bann.

Apple launches HomeView smart display for homes. Published on 17/10/2026 - By Nurul Ain Apple introduced HomeView, a 7-inch smart-home display that blends familiar meeting-room functions with personal device integration. Priced at $299, the device will ship on 13 November and is positioned as a household hub rather than a corporate solution. Apple unveils HomeView smart display. The new screen can sit on a table or be wall-mounted, offering touch and voice control for lights, thermostats, locks and blinds. Users may also launch FaceTime calls and view a personalized dashboard of Calendar, Messages and Reminders. By consolidating these tasks onto a single surface, the offering reduces the need for multiple remote controls and separate smart-home panels. The firm emphasizes that private data appears only when the recognized user's iPhone or iPad is nearby and recently unlocked. It says this safeguards personal information while still enabling shared use of the device. Because the display shows personal content solely in the presence of an authenticated device, visitors see only a neutral home screen. Personalization through face recognition. HomeView supports facial recognition for up to six individuals. When a face is detected, the interface shifts from a generic household view to a customized experience tied to that person's Apple ecosystem. This approach lets each family member access their own calendars, messages and smart-home preferences without manual sign-in. "Apple HomeView is designed to be shared by everyone in the home yet feel completely personal to each user," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing. The comment highlights the dual aim of communal hardware and individualized content. Siri AI powers contextual assistance. Siri sits at the core of HomeView, using on-screen awareness and contextual cues from a paired Apple Intelligence-enabled device. The assistant can answer questions, execute tasks and hand off conversations to an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch or Apple Vision Pro. Implications for shared-space technology. The HomeView launch hints at a broader shift where shared-space interfaces combine communal control with personal data protection. Devices may need to recognize who is present, adapt settings accordingly, and keep each user's information isolated. In practice, such capabilities could simplify coordination in family rooms, co-working spaces or small offices, reducing the need for separate personal and shared controllers. Integrated Research and logitech release new shared-space management tools. Integrated Research introduced Clarion, a cloud-based observability service that checks call readiness before meetings begin. A lightweight desktop widget runs a pre-call health check and flags weak Wi-Fi or headset connectivity in plain language. Fleet dashboards let IT staff see whether an issue affects a single user or a broader group of workers. Clarion observes only technology, never recording screens, logging keystrokes, tracking idle time, or accessing call audio. Logitech launched a suite of collaboration tools aimed at government teams and public-sector workplaces. The solution seeks to cut friction in standard meeting rooms, specialized spaces, room control and shared-space access. It also supports centralized management, allowing a small IT group to oversee dispersed estates without separate support models. Logitech frames the offering as managed room technology rather than a standalone AV purchase. Former Exertis businesses in North America and Europe are being sold to One Equity Partners. Now part of Nexora, the companies distribute AV, IT, mobility and consumer technology through more than 30,000 partners. The transaction highlights that channel partners continue to play a key role in workplace technology deployments.

Logitech G to open research center. * by admin * October 17, 2026 Wolf Jiang Logitech G has unveiled plans to establish a technology research and innovation center in Shanghai in early 2027, as the gaming arm of Logitech looks to incorporate more insights from Chinese players and consumers into product development and global innovation. The Logitech China Technology Research and Innovation Center will be established in Jing'an district in Shanghai, and will focus on areas such as cloud gaming ecosystems, edge artificial intelligence, generative AI and intelligent video collaboration. The move is part of Logitech G's long-term "in China, for China, for the world" strategy, with the company also seeking to take more innovations from China to global markets. Robin Piispanen, global general manager of Logitech G, said China is becoming an increasingly important source of insights and innovation for the company, driven by the country's highly engaged gaming community. "Every time I come to China, I am deeply touched by the passion and energy of Chinese players," Piispanen said, adding that the uncompromising standards of Chinese players are pushing Logitech G to explore the limits of engineering possibilities. China's esports user base accounted for more than 35 percent of the country's total population and nearly 60 percent of its youth population in 2025, with the number of users growing 1.06 percent year-on-year, according to a China esports industry professional development report. For Logitech G, the scale and engagement of China's gaming community make the country more than an important consumer market. They also provide a source of product feedback and ideas that can help form the company's global innovation, the company said. Wolf Jiang, global vice-president and president of Logitech Greater China, said the company has been based in Shanghai's Jing'an district for 16 years, during which its business has grown more than tenfold. The planned innovation center will further connect local talent, technology and industry partners, allowing Logitech G to better understand Chinese consumers and players and turn those insights into products and experiences, Jiang said. Wang Jieming, director of the market regulation administration of Jing'an district, said Jing'an has been promoting brand development and commercial innovation while building a platform for international brands to showcase innovations and strengthen cooperation. The district will continue to improve its services and create a fairer, transparent and innovation-friendly market environment to support companies such as Logitech in development and innovation, Wang said. The investment comes as Logitech G marks the 10th anniversary of its Pro series. On Sept 24, the brand unveiled a full suite of new Pro products, while presenting upgrades covering esports, content creation and sim racing. The anniversary event also brought together professional esports players, gaming communities, university esports clubs, creators, game developers and other industry partners, reflecting the increasingly diverse ecosystem surrounding gaming in China. Tanks to chinadaily.com.cn Please visit: Its Sponsor