Bose has released an update for its QuietComfort 35 II wireless headphones that adds Alexa support as a voice assistant feature.
Previously, the "Action" button on the popular noise-canceling cans was exclusively for invoking Google Assistant (Siri is accessed by holding down the multifunction play/pause button for two seconds).
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However, after updating the software through the Bose Connect app, QC35 II owners can now opt to use Amazon's ubiquitous virtual assistant instead via the app's Options menu.
For those wondering, voice assistant support is the main difference between the Bose QC 35 Series II headphones and the original Quiet Comfort 35 Series I (reviewed here), although the later model does let you use the noise canceling feature in wired as well as wireless mode.
So if voice assistant support doesn't interest you and you're looking to go wireless, the Series I cans are definitely still worth a punt if you can find them online – and you just might save yourself a few dollars in the process.
Top Rated Comments
I’ve been shopping around for a nice pair of wireless noise cancelling over-ear headphones and it seems to me that the Bose QC35 are really the benchmark. So I ask the MacRumors forums: does anyone think differently? (I may wait to see if Apple introduces its own branded pair in the fall or early next year)
I have the Sony 1000XM2 and their noice cancellation feature and Siri integration are top notch and would say it’s either an equal or better than the QC’s.I have the QC35's and the QC20's. The 35's have a bad power switch and will turn themselves on randomly. I bought/returned 3 pairs of 20's because the wire going into each bud wasn't mated properly and would click when moved. Called Boss support a few times and they pretty much told me to bug off each time.
I’ve been shopping around for a nice pair of wireless noise cancelling over-ear headphones and it seems to me that the Bose QC35 are really the benchmark. So I ask the MacRumors forums: does anyone think differently? (I may wait to see if Apple introduces its own branded pair in the fall or early next year)
Some people may argue about the sound quality (there's a hater for everyone), but the noise cancelling aspect of the Bose QC35's is the gold standard. You can listen to music on a pair and see if that works for you. I will only address the noise cancelling.I tried several other brands, and it is night and day difference. If you want to mask background noise, there is nothing better. It works best with constant level and pitch like fan noise from a large computer (or a jet in flight or air conditioner), but it does pretty well with my lawn mower and children as well.