Jabra Unveils Elite Sport Advanced True Wireless Sports Earbuds

True wireless earbuds or hearables seem to be the focus for most of the audio brands in the consumer electronics industry. Given the technology convergence with audiology and communication solutions in this area, we shouldn’t be surprised to see announcements from company leaders in those segments as well. Now, at IFA 2016, Jabra launched its first true wireless earbuds under its new Elite franchise with the promise of superior sound, strong battery life, and advanced personalized fitness analysis.

Another week and another “hearable” announcement is made. Wearables 2016 CES Innovation Awards honoree Alpha Audiotronics, announced the start of the pre-sale for its first product, Skybuds truly wireless earbuds, and the launch of its newly redesigned website skybuds.com. The company promises a truly wire-free solution with premium sound quality and reliable connectivity. Skybuds promises 4 hours per charge and 5 additional charges and storage through the Skydock case.

Advanced micro-acoustic, audio processing, and specialty component solutions specialists, Knowles Corporation, announced the launch of Versant advanced voice technology, an advanced audio solution for hearables and premium earphones that optimizes the user’s voice in noisy environments, such as wind or crowds. A first implementation example includes Munich-based, Bragi, which has recently introduced a software upgrade to its The Dash earbuds featuring Knowles Versant technology.

Multiple concepts of truly wireless earbuds were introduced to the market, all struggling with the same battery dilemma, independently of the level of features. Increasing battery capacity also increases size and weight, which in turn affects user’s comfort and fit. ELWN Fit Truly Wireless earbuds launched on Kickstarter with an interesting hybrid wireless concept to answer the question: “How can I work, play, and live my indoor/outdoor lifestyle without a thought about charging or adjusting my earbuds?”

As we said previously, the race is on for the winner of the full-wireless earbuds challenge. Doppler Labs is the latest contender with their Here One hearables, promising “The Future of In-Ear Computing”. The difference is this is not your typical crowdfunding project, but a company working for the past three years to perfect the Here One concept, exploring the full potential of personalized earbuds.

Another company has launched a new attempt to break the full-wireless earbuds challenge. This time, French start-up PKparis launched the K’asq Bluetooth 4.1 stereo wireless earbuds, featuring the industry’s longest battery life: 5-hours on-the-go to listen to music or calls. The PKparis earbuds also combine high quality sound with up to -40% noise reduction, anti-fall system and IP55 waterproof and a clever USB 2.0 chargebox providing 8 hours extra charge.

The race is on! Following previous simultaneous efforts to create the market’s first true wireless earphones (meaning no connecting wire and internal battery), Erato Audio Technology has launched a campaign on Kickstarter to promote awareness for the Apollo 7, which the company says are the industry’s first micro driver, true-wireless, waterproof earphones. Erato introduced the Apollo 7 at the MWC 2016 show in Barcelona and are actually ready to ship soon.