Samsung Introduces Industry’s First All-in-One Power ICs Optimized for Wireless Earbuds

Showing its importance to the CE industry as one of the world's largest advanced semiconductor manufacturers, Samsung Electronics announced the first all-in-one power management integrated circuits (PMIC), MUA01 and MUB01, optimized for True Wireless Stereo (TWS) devices. The new Samsung PMICs integrate multiple discrete components in one chip to make room for longer battery life and more efficient designs in today’s true wireless earbuds and other very low power designs.

1MORE, the Chinese premium consumer audio company, announced that its new True Wireless ANC In-Ear earbuds are now officially available in the US. Featuring a dynamic driver combined with a balanced armature, two levels of active noise cancelation, pass-through mode, and a wireless charging option, the 1MORE True Wireless ANC is also the first TWS product pending THX Certification, and are available now on the company's own website and Amazon.com for $199.99 MSRP.

Integrated Device Technology (IDT), a wholly owned subsidiary of Renesas Electronics Corporation, announced the availability of its new P9222-R wireless power receiver, the industry’s smallest and optimized for wireless charging cases used to charge true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds, hearing aids and other small, battery-powered consumer devices. Unlike other available solutions, the P9222-R is cost-optimized, highly efficient, feature rich and proven in high-volume applications with major consumer electronics manufacturers.

In another product announcement that didn't go as planned, following a lot of rumors and leaks coming from China, Apple was forced to unveil its latest addition to the AirPods family. As widely anticipated, the AirPods Pro have a new improved design, combining a slightly similar shape to the original loose-fit design, but slightly twisted to support a silicon in-ear tip, in order to make Active Noise Cancellation effective. The all-new lightweight design is now available.

Soundcore, Anker Innovations’ premium audio brand, recently announced the Liberty 2 Pro, the flagship model in its next generation Liberty true wireless lineup, which includes five other different products targeting different usage profiles. The Liberty 2 Pro earbuds will appeal directly to users looking for the best possible audio quality, and are based on a first-of-its-kind coaxial driver design, where Soundcore’s engineers successfully marry a custom-tuned balanced armature (BA) driver from Knowles with an oversized 11mm dome dynamic driver.

Apple is testing another new way to introduce new products in "stealth mode" with daily announcements on its website. Starting with new updated iPads and iMacs on the first days of the week, Wednesday March 20 was the day chosen to confirm the much anticipated release of its new AirPods, powered by a new H1 chip, featuring 50 percent more talk time, hands-free wake-word “Hey Siri” and the option of a wireless charging case supporting the Qi standard.

MWC 2019 highlighted key areas where the audio industry should focus and from where it could gain it's most important benefits. A trade show vibrant in the presentation of audio technologies for voice interface solutions, smart and connected home and personal devices. I would never have dreamed that one day a trade show such as the Mobile World Congress would be part of my annual agenda. But now, traveling to Barcelona in February became an essential part of my duties for audioXpress every year.

Unveiled at MWC 2019 in Barcelona, the new ZePods range of true wireless earbuds by MyKronoz feature a familiar design, closely resembling Apple's AirPods, and are complemented by features which might be appreciated for users looking for an affordable, more stylish alternative. The ZePods and ZePods+ are available in 6 vibrant colors, support up to 5 hours playtime with an extra 10 hours in the battery case, and use embedded fast charging so they take only 15 minutes to fully charge and be ready to play.