After the launch of Apple AirPods, we saw similar offerings from other brands at comparatively lower prices. Similarly, Amazon is said to be working on a product to take on Apple’s AirPods wireless earphones. It is said to be one of the most important projects at Amazon’s Lab 126 hardware division.
Amazon has been pushing its voice assistant Alexa on its various range of Echo devices. In similar lines, according to latest Bloomberg report, the Seattle based e-commerce giant is gearing up to launch new wireless earbuds with built-in support for Alexa voice assistant as early as second half of 2019. The reports also suggest that Amazon’s wireless earbuds will look almost similar to Apple AirPods and engineers are said to be working on it to ensure better audio quality.
Amazon’s earbuds will allow people to use their voice to listen to music, order goods, check weather and other useful information. Users will also get an option to pick up and end calls and switch between their favorite songs by just tapping on the earbuds. The voice assistant can be triggered by just saying the word “Alexa”. The reports also suggest that the earbuds will lack cellular connectivity and will require pairing with a smartphone.
Additionally, Amazon’s earbuds are said to come in a storage case that will also double up as a charger and users will be able to charge it through a standard USB cable.
It is to be seen if this product works out for Amazon as Google launched a similar product named Pixel buds last year and was criticized for sporting a flimsy charging case.