Retail News CRM

Tag: headphone

  • Sony Teases New Color Reveal for WH-1000XM6 Headphones: Is Sandpink the Next Big Thing?

    Sony Teases New Color Reveal for WH-1000XM6 Headphones: Is Sandpink the Next Big Thing?

    Sony has had a packed schedule in recent weeks, with the launch of the LinkBuds Clip in the previous month, a teaser for the anticipated debut of its high-end earbuds and the first speculations about the Xperia 1 VIII and Xperia 10 VIII smartphones. Adding to the excitement, Sony has issued another teaser for a unique product.

    New Color Option for Sony WH-1000XM6

    Sony recently posted a brief six-second YouTube video teasing a new pair of headphones. The clip, titled “Your heart (and ears) will be set on us when you see this,” displays a rose-tinted cloth cascading over a set of headphones.

    Regrettably, the teaser doesn’t disclose the specific model hidden under the cloth, only hinting that something is “coming” on February 12, 2026. Much like last week’s promotional teaser for the WF-1000XM6 earbuds launch, the new video doesn’t provide any additional details.

    It appears unlikely that the video is teasing an entirely new headphone model. Instead, it’s more probable that it’s hinting at a Sandpink variant of the WH-1000XM6. Initial claims suggested that the new color could pertain to Sony’s forthcoming earbuds. However, these assertions were later clarified, stating the new shade was for the over-the-ear headphones. The release of the new video appears to substantiate these claims.

    The date and time unveiled in the new teaser aligns with the premiere of Sony WF-1000XM6, which is scheduled for 8am PT on Thursday, February 12. While the new earbuds will feature a redesign, they will initially only be available in black and white. Nonetheless, the possibility of a Sandpink model being released at a later date remains open.

    Similarities with Predecessors

    Apart from the design alterations, the WF-1000XM6 is likely to bear notable similarities with its forerunners. A recent leak suggested that the earbuds could include a new processor and speaker but offered little in terms of additional features. This might make it challenging for Sony to contend with competitors such as the AirPods 3 Pro, Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, and the yet-to-be-released Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro.

    Attracting a Broader Market

    If a splash of color can catalyze iPhone sales in China, why couldn’t it have a similar effect on Sony’s headphone sales? While not everyone may be a fan of pink gadgets, a considerable number of consumers may appreciate the added variety.

    Questions & Answers

    What is Sony’s new teaser about?
    The new teaser is likely about a Sandpink version of the WH-1000XM6 headphones.

    When is the new product expected to be launched?
    The new product is anticipated to be released on February 12, 2026.

    What changes can be expected in the WF-1000XM6 earbuds?
    The WF-1000XM6 earbuds may feature a new processor and speaker in addition to a design overhaul. However, they will initially only be offered in black and white.

  • Apple reveals Beats Solo Buds’ launch date

    Apple reveals Beats Solo Buds’ launch date

    Apple introduced the Beats Solo Buds back in April but failed to provide fans with an actual launch date. Thankfully, that’s no longer the case, as the Cupertino-based giant revealed this week that the Beats Solo Buds will hit shelves on June 20.

    In fact, customers can order the Beats Solo Buds starting on June 18 for $79.99, but the earbuds won’t ship until two days later. It’s also worth mentioning that the earbuds will be available in four colors: Matte Black, Storm Gray, Arctic Purple and Transparent Red. Remember that if you want the Arctic Purple version, you’ll only find those at Apple and Target.

    The Beats Solo Buds have a custom Beats chip inside that makes it much easier to pair them across iOS and Android with just one touch. The earbuds also feature both Apple and Google “find my device” functionality.

    Both buds have a button that allows users to control playback, answer calls and enable Siri, but it can be customized to offer other uses too. The Beats Solo Buds promise to “minimize micro-distortions across the frequency curve” thanks to the dual-layer transducers design.

    As far as battery life goes, Apple says the Beats Solo Buds should provide up to 18 hours of playback, which is hard to believe considering that similar earbuds offer around 6-8 hours of battery life.

    On the downside, the Beats Solo Buds doesn’t come with a charging case. The one that comes with the earbuds doesn’t feature a battery, so you’ll have to charge these the traditional way by plugging a USB-C cable into the case after you place the earbuds inside.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Apple seeks patent on automatic transparency mode for AirPods Pro

    Apple seeks patent on automatic transparency mode for AirPods Pro

    According to TF International’s highly reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the AirPods Pro 2 True Wireless Stereo earbuds should be released later this year, perhaps during the third quarter. The major difference between your average garden variety pair of AirPods and the premium-priced Pro model is the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC); the latter prevents ambient noise from getting mixed in with the streaming content heard via the Bluetooth-powered earbuds.

    But just in case you need to hear what’s happening in the background while streaming music to your AirPods Pro, transparency mode will allow you to hear a car honking to alert you to get out of the way, a police siren in case you’re being pulled over, or a friendly “hello” from a pal who has spotted you walking on the street. The problem with turning on the transparency mode is that it allows all background noise regardless of what it is.>

    But what if you could choose which sounds make it through to you via the transparency mode? That could improve your enjoyment of using the AirPods Pro knowing that the transparency mode will remain off until someone you selected is trying to talk to you, or an event takes place that needs your immediate action.

    Apple has filed a patent application titled “Interrupt for noise-canceling audio devices” that details a more selective method of letting in outside noise to be heard through your AirPods Pro. With the technology discussed in the patent application, a user will be able to determine in advance who is allowed to break through the ANC. As Apple states in the documentation, “For example, the user may desire to be interrupted by one or more pre-designated contacts that are identified at an associated electronic device as interrupt-authorized contacts, or by a person who speaks a designated keyword to the user.”

    In other words, the Active Noise Cancellation would remain in effect until people authorized by the user start talking. The voice of the other person could be recognized, or that person’s name could be mentioned by the user, or both the user and the contact could devise a specific password that would flip on transparency mode.

    The patent also notes that the user can train the system to recognize certain important sounds that you would want to hear right away “such as police or ambulance sirens, or smoke or fire alarms.” It is like having transparency mode set on “automatic.”

    There are other differences between the AirPods and AirPods Pro besides the latter offering ANC. For example, the “Pro” variant includes the ability for the user to enjoy a customizable fit. Ironically, the third-generation AirPods offer longer battery life than the AirPods Pro but we expect that to change with the AirPods Pro 2. We also could see the new premium version of the earbuds feature a new design, possibly dropping the iconic and recognizable stem from the device. This might make the AirPods Pro 2 look like some of the earbuds manufactured by competitors’s not to mention Apple’s own Beats Fit Pro.

    Other possible changes for the AirPods Pro 2 include the addition of new sensors that will allow the device to perform some type of fitness tracking. Also expected is a new chip that will make it easier for the wearables to connect with other devices. And Apple is reportedly looking at a way to use the AirPods Pro 2 as a device to measure certain health metrics just as the Apple Watch now does.

    The patent application was originally filed by Apple with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) last July.

  • Apple’s environmentally-motivated decision is boosting sales of its new wireless earphones

    Apple’s environmentally-motivated decision is boosting sales of its new wireless earphones

    The new iPhone 12 series, as well as older models that Apple continues to sell, don’t come with a power adapter or EarPods. Apple claims it took this step to cut down on environmental waste. Although rivals like Samsung, Xiaomi, and OnePlus have mocked the company for removing these accessories, a new precedent may have been set. Apple is already benefiting from the removal of the EarPods from the iPhone 12 retail box.

    Beats, which is owned by Apple, announced the new neckband-style $49.99 Beats Flex on October 13, the same day the iPhone 12 series was revealed. The release of the neck-mounted headphones was also perfectly timed – they went on sale on October 23, which is when the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro hit the shelves.

    According to supply chain insiders, the Beats Flex is off to a good start, and the sales momentum is expected to continue well into the first half of the next year.

    The report also claims that the AirPods, which had 35 percent of the True Wireless Earphones (TWS) market in the second quarter of 2020 per research firm Counterpoint, continue to do well.

    Usually, TWS sales peak in the third quarter, before edging down in the fourth quarter. The case is different this year, as demand remains strong, probably because many people continue working from home.

    Supply-side sources also believe that other vendors will also stop bundling headphones with their new smartphones. Needless to say, this would further boost wireless earphone shipments.

    According to a forecast by research firm Canalys, TWS sales will grow 29 percent in 2020.

    Lees ook:

  • Second generation Apple AirPods had weaker than expected sales in Q1

    Second generation Apple AirPods had weaker than expected sales in Q1

    Apple’s AirPods continue to dominate the true wireless “hearables” category with a larger than 50% market share. However, the second generation of the extremely popular accessory did not add to Apple’s already huge share of this market. According to the information made public by Counterpoint Research, despite launching the latest version of its AirPods during the quarter, “Apple’s market share remained at the same level seen in the last quarter, failing to grow in spite of the launch of its second generation AirPods.” Of course, the new AirPods weren’t announced by the tech giant until March 20th, nearly at the end of the three-month period.

    The second generation AirPods replaced the W1 chip employed on the original version with an H1 chip for improved Bluetooth connectivity. It also lowered the strain on the battery, allowing Apple to promise 50% longer “talk time,” and allows users to switch between devices while listening to music up to two times faster. And Siri can now be summoned by saying “Hey Siri.” The update also added a new carrying case for the AirPods that will charge wirelessly. If the upcoming 2019 iPhone models feature reverse wireless charging as rumored, the new case will be able to sit on the back of one of the new units and power up. Of course, this will come at the expense of the battery inside the host iPhone.

    Counterpoint noted that thanks to sales promotions run to clear out inventory, sales of the first-gen AirPods were higher than expected during the quarter. Sales of the second generation AirPods were weaker than expected. Some of that could be due to confusion among consumers, many of whom expected the new buds to be water-resistant and feature a new grip to keep them firmly planted in users’ ears. Those rumors and others about some sort of health care feature for the accessory and a new Black color option were well publicized prior to the unveiling of the new version. As it turns out, these are features that we will probably see when the third generation AirPods come out later this year. Most likely, many consumers are holding off on purchasing the new AirPods and are awaiting the next version of the device.

    “Apple’s market share remained at the same level seen in the last quarter, failing to grow in spite of the launch of its second generation AirPods. While sales of the first generation AirPods were higher than expected thanks to a variety of sales promotions for stock-outs in the channel in Q1 2019, sales of the new model were weaker than initially expected due to the market’s mixed response.”-Counterpoint Research

    The graphs released by Counterpoint didn’t include any actual percentages, but we can see from the graphs that Apple’s AirPods have a huge lead over the second place Samsung Galaxy Buds. Samsung’s wireless “hearables” were launched earlier this year and were handed out as a bonus to those purchasing a phone from the Galaxy S10 line. That promotion, by the way, is back until June 30th. The Galaxy Buds replaced the Gear IconX in Sammy’s lineup and helped the company leap over Jabra to take second place for the first time. The Jabra Elite Active 65t was third.

    Later this year, we should see two more heavyweights enter the market. Both Amazon and Microsoft are planning to release their own wireless Bluetooth earbuds this year. The former says that its device will be equipped with Alexa and will sound better and cost less than Apple’s AirPods. Microsoft’s Surface Buds will include Cortana integration.

    During the first quarter of this year, Counterpoint says that the size of what it calls the “true wireless wearables” market was 17.5 million units. That is a 40% gain sequentially from the fourth quarter of 2018. That is impressive because Q4 of 2018 included the holiday shopping season.

  • Bose to launch new wireless headphones with voice-activated Alexa

    Bose to launch new wireless headphones with voice-activated Alexa

    Headphones with support for digital assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri have become trivial in the last couple of years. However, most of these headphones will only allow users to wake up the digital assistant by pushing a dedicated button.

    Apple and Samsung are the only companies that have recently introduced the ability to use voice activation to wake up the assistant implemented into a pair of headphones, though support is limited to a certain set of commands.

    The reason headphones manufacturers weren’t able to implement such a feature yet is due to the limited battery life of their products. In order to detect the wake word, headphones must use the battery to keep the microphone enabled all the time, which would drastically reduce the overall battery life. Luckily, a company called Knowles Corp. has managed to design a new chip that enables wireless headphones to reply to Amazon’s Alexa digital assistant by saying its name, Reuters reports. Basically, you will no longer have to press a button to activate Alexa, you will simply have to say its name.

    The new chip is power-efficient and includes a microphone and digital signal processor, as well as a reference design that will allow headphone manufacturers to add support for Alexa into their products.

    Knowles confirmed that Anker and LinkPlay will use its new chip and Alexa design to release headphones with voice-activated Alexa support, which will replace the traditional push-button versions.

    Bose will also launch a pair of headphones with voice-activated Alexa support later this month, although Knowles didn’t explicitly say whether or not they will be based on its chip.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Bose pop-up store opens at Changi Airport, Singapore

    Bose pop-up store opens at Changi Airport, Singapore

    A Bose pop-up store has opened at Changi Airport’s Terminal 3 Transit Departure Hall.

    Trading until June 30, the store will give travellers the chance to experience and own Bose’s first audio sunglasses equipped with Bose AR capability, and to try out its latest noise-cancellation headphones.

    The Bose pop-up store features two zones that let travellers experience Bose products. In one, travellers get to try Bose Frames – the first audio sunglasses from Bose – and go on virtual adventures across different scenes while a soundtrack plays from the device.

    In the other zone, travellers can try out Bose’s latest headphones in sound domes.

    The pop-up store also has a photo booth where visitors can snap and upload pictures of themselves with the Bose Frames for a chance to win a pair of Bose Frames.

    “This technologically savvy pop-up store is an exciting collaboration between Bose and Changi,” said Teo Chew Hoon, group senior VP of airside concessions at Changi Airport Group.

    “As an international hub for travellers, Changi Airport, and by extension Singapore, is the perfect location for the Asia-Pacific launch of our latest product, the Bose Frames,” said Christian Rojas, market development leader, focus market development at Bose.

    “Through engaging travel retail concepts like this, we are confident that the authentic Bose experience will be showcased and look forward to bringing high-quality sound to transit travellers at Changi Airport.”

    Lees ook:

  • Apple to open Beats Powerbeats Pro Orders

    Apple to open Beats Powerbeats Pro Orders

    Unveiled early this month, the Beats Powerbeats Pro earphones will make their debut on the market in May. However, Apple didn’t say when exactly customers will be able to purchase the earphones, but it did confirm they will be available for $250.

    The Powerbeats Pro will be up for pre-order in the United States and Canada starting May 3 for the price mentioned above. Also, those who want to wait get the earphones directly from the stores will be able to do so beginning May 10.

    Apple also announced that only the Powerbeats Pro in Black will be available for purchase in May, while the Ivory, Moss and Navy will go on sale “this summer.” Of course, price and specs remain the same for all color options.

    Speaking of specs, the Powerbeats Pro are equipped with the same Apple H1 chipset that comes inside the AirPods 2 and offers up to 9 hours of battery life (charge 5 minutes for up to 1.5 hours of battery life). They’re sweat and water resistant, and feature full “Hey Siri” support on iOS devices, as well as voice capability with the push of a button.

    The earphones come with charging case and a lightning to USB-A charging cable. You’ll also notice that the earphones feature volume and track controls on each earbud so you can play both sides on just one at a time.

    Lees ook:

  • Apple AirPods 3 likely to arrive later this Year

    Apple AirPods 3 likely to arrive later this Year

    Five weeks ago, Apple announced a new pair of AirPods. The update was largely welcomed, but it was far from the big upgrade many were hoping for.  According to industry sources, the next-generation AirPods will be manufactured jointly by Taiwan-based Inventec and Chinese company Luxshare Precision. These two aren’t exactly household names but they are the companies in charge of producing the current-gen AirPods.

    In regards to actual features, the details provided by the report are minimal. However, it’s suggested that the primary new feature will be built-in noise cancelation.

    Tipster Steve Hemmerstoffer, for example, accurately predicted back in February that Apple’s AirPods release in March would center around the wireless charging case. The upcoming fall release, on the other hand, will apparently focus on an all-new pair of AirPods that’ll be available in a range of new colors.

    Way back in June of last year, Bloomberg published a report detailing Apple’s plans for a pair of premium AirPods sometime this year. An exact timeline wasn’t provided, but the piece did list a number of potential features that would justify the expected price hike.

    Like today’s report, noise-cancelation was listed as one of the primary additions. This will apparently be accompanied by the introduction of water resistance and some health-related features which could include a built-in heart rate monitor. Apple is also said to be working on extending the range at which AirPods can be used away from a connected device.

    Further rumors and reports have suggested the next-generation AirPods will introduce a subtle redesign. More specifically, a frosted glass-like coating is to be expected. This will apparently improve grip and reduce slipperiness, thus making the new AirPods less prone to falling out of your ears.

    Also expected are the usual internal upgrades which should include a new Bluetooth connectivity chip and improvements to the overall sound quality. A rumor floating around also suggested the next AirPods will support more powerful wireless charging that takes the battery percentage from 0% to 100% in just 15 minutes.

    Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that he now expects Apple to launch two new pairs of AirPods during the ‘4Q19-1Q20’ timeframe, meaning the new accessories could be unveiled at any point between early October 2019 and late March 2020.

    One of these new models will apparently be a small update over the AirPods that are currently on sale. It’s unclear what kind of upgrades this will entail, but Kuo believes the version will maintain the $159 starting price seen today – with the wireless charging case this will presumably rise to $199.

    The second pair, on the other hand, will apparently introduce an ‘all-new design’ that will be accompanied by a higher price tag. Presumably, this means that there will be a wide range of new features including noise cancelation and water resistance, as mentioned above.

    Ming-Chi Kuo expects AirPods shipments to reach a considerable 52 million units in 2019, while this number should then grow even higher in 2020 to 75 million. In order to cope with the increased demand, it’s believed Apple will move to a new system-in-package design for both sets of AirPods that’ll save space, lower costs, and improve production yield rates.

    As pointed out by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the AirPods that Apple launched last month were initially planned for release in September 2018 alongside the iPhone XS and iPhone XR devices. Apple hasn’t officially confirmed this, but it’s rumored to have happened due to issues with the canceled AirPower charging mat. Apparently, the AirPods charging case was meant to utilize proprietary technology, but complications with AirPower forced Apple to rework the accessory using the Qi standard.

    If things had gone as planned, new AirPods launching later this year wouldn’t be out of the question. But considering that, by the end of 2019, Apple’s latest AirPods will have only been on the market for 9 months, it seems highly likely that the AirPods 3 and AirPods 3 Pro will arrive towards the end of Kuo’s release timeframe at the brand’s annual spring event in March, one year after the current-gen AirPods arrived.

  • Apple can make you forget about the new AirPods with new Beats headphones

    Apple can make you forget about the new AirPods with new Beats headphones

    Apple isn’t known for its costly acquisitions, generally focusing on buying small companies that can add valuable resources to new areas of development for the Cupertino-based tech giant without entailing a great risk from a return on investment standpoint. But the iPhone and iPad makers actually splashed the cash on Beats Electronics back in 2014, acquiring Dr. Dre’s buzzworthy audio device outfit in exchange for a whopping $3 billion.

    While we will obviously never know exactly how much Apple has gained or lost as a result of this extravagant purchase in its immediate aftermath, the future of the Beats brand appeared to hang in the balance as there were no new products released under the once fruitful label for the entirety of last year. But fret not, Dre fans, as a redesigned Powerbeats version is expected out pretty soon.

    AirPods rival or something for a different target audience?

    There are plenty of popular Beats-branded wireless headphones already on the market, ranging from the $120 BeatsX all the way up to the $350 Beats Studio3, but one thing that’s missing is a “true wireless” option. The reason for that is simple, as Apple probably didn’t want anything to steal attention away or reduce the appeal of its first-generation AirPods.
    With a second edition now out and about, and many signs the AirPods are a runaway success, the company might finally feel confident enough to expand its already vast lineup of audio products. Enter a sequel for the $200 Beats Powerbeats3 that’s expected to cut the cord altogether and make it even harder for the likes of Google and Samsung to compete on the Apple-dominated “hearables” scene.
    Instead of thinking about the Powerbeats4 (name obviously unconfirmed) as better or worse than the 2019 AirPods generation, you should just regard them as different products. Rumor has it the new, completely wire-free Beats Powerbeats could “borrow” the H1 chip of the freshly upgraded AirPods, as well as the hands-free “Hey Siri” capabilities. But water resistance, better bass, and a more ergonomic design focused on keeping these things snug in your ears at all times, might be added to the mix.
    That… arguably makes the impending Beats product sound superior to the 2019 AirPods, although we clearly don’t have the full story yet. There’s no mention of wireless charging support, while battery life is presumed but not guaranteed to be better. Perhaps most importantly, we have no idea how the reimagined Powerbeats will actually look. We know the cable keeping the Powerbeats3 together will disappear, but absolutely nothing else, which suggests this sequel might be more about functionality and outdoor endurance than fashion.

    It’s all about the money

    We’re sorry to break it to you, but Beats headphones are not generally what we’d call affordable. The sporty Powerbeats3 are (typically) pricier than the stylish Apple-branded AirPods, although unlike those market-leading bad boys, these slightly less successful wireless audio accessories routinely go on sale at massive discounts. At the time of this writing, for instance, they’re just $99.99 at Best Buy after a 50 percent markdown that’s actually become a common occurrence in recent months.
    That probably signals a follow-up effort is indeed right around the corner, but it also suggests it won’t be a very good idea to purchase said sequel straight off the bat. That being said, whether or not the Powerbeats4 will be better than the AirPods 2, a starting price of more than $200 is likely to put off a large number of potentially early adopters. The question is can Apple deliver all the aforementioned upgrades over the Beats Powerbeats3 and refrain from adding a premium of, say, 50 bucks? We’ll apparently see about that in just a few weeks or so.
  • Sony MDR-HW300K wireless headphones are 35% off

    Sony MDR-HW300K wireless headphones are 35% off

    Are you looking to buy a nice new pair of wireless headphones? If so, you might want to check out this deal. There’s a 35% discount for Sony’s MDR-HW300K Bluetooth headphones. This model typically retails for $100 at Amazon, but right now, you can grab a brand new pair for $65 at Woot.

    The MDR-HW300K has a driver size of 40mm. The system transmits an uncompressed 2.4 GHz signal to reduce unwanted interference while the real-time automatic channel tuning prevents signal degradation. These features allow the system to deliver high-quality sound without outside interference. Aside from sounding great, the set is also extremely comfortable and stylish thanks to the light-weight, adjustable padded headband and swivel style ear-cup design. The cans are advertised as lasting up to 10 hours between charges.

    If this deal interests you, feel free to follow the above link to Woot. Shipping is free, and a 1-year warranty is included.

    Lees ook: