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Qualcomm introduced its Sound Elite platform built around a new S3 chip small enough to fit inside earbuds, allowing them to stream Wi-Fi lossless audio without needing a paired phone nearby. The design lets users leave their phone in another room while still receiving uninterrupted high-quality sound.
Sleenova has released the SoundMask, a sleep mask with thin, padded speakers embedded in its sides rather than in-ear buds. A reviewer who tested the device reported it blocked light effectively, stayed in place overnight, and produced no ear pressure even when sleeping on their side, though the speakers required manual repositioning to align with the ears.
JLab's Go Sport Plus true wireless earbuds, designed with over-ear hooks for workouts, are currently discounted on Amazon to $24.99 from their $31.99 list price, a 22% cut. The earbuds feature IP55 sweat resistance, Bluetooth 5.3, Google Fast Pair, and over 35 hours of combined battery life via the case.
A new analysis argues that earbuds, already worn daily by millions, are better positioned than smart glasses to host always-available conversational AI assistants. The piece contends that audio-first wearables offer a more natural and less socially awkward way to interact with AI throughout the day.
A review of active noise cancellation (ANC) headphones outlines their benefits, including blocking steady background noise, improving audio clarity, protecting hearing by reducing the need for high volume, and aiding focus or sleep. It also highlights drawbacks: ANC struggles with sudden loud sounds, can sometimes degrade audio quality or cause ear discomfort, may reduce situational awareness in unsafe settings, and drains battery life faster than headphones without the feature.
Amazon has cut the price of Bose's Ultra Open Earbuds from $299 to $199, a $100 discount that marks their lowest price yet. The clip-on, cuff-style buds sit outside the ear canal, offering situational awareness alongside fuller sound than typical open-ear designs.
Omdia data show Apple shipped 16.8 million true wireless stereo earbuds in Q2 2026, up 1.2% year over year, giving it 20.5% market share even as the overall TWS category shrank 0.7%. Meanwhile, the open wireless stereo segment—clip-on and ear-hook designs that leave the ear canal open—grew 12%, led by Shokz with a 10.3% share after 107.9% growth.
Bose has released the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) at $299, improving on the original clip-on-style open earbuds with new drivers, louder sound, deeper bass, TrueSpatial audio with a new Cinema mode, and longer 9-hour battery life. Alongside them, Bose introduced the $199 Sport Open Earbuds, a lighter, more durable design built specifically for workouts. Both models open for preorder September 19 and begin shipping October 1.
Bose is expanding its open-ear lineup with two new clip-on earbuds: the fitness-focused Sport Open and the upgraded Ultra Open (2nd Gen). Both go on sale October 1, with the second-gen Ultra Open adding deeper bass, louder output, clearer calls, a new Cinema spatial audio mode, and support for AptX hi-res codecs, Google Fast Pair, and Find Hub.
Bose is releasing two open-ear earbud models on October 1: the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen), an update to its 2024 flagship, and the all-new Bose Sport Open Earbuds. The Ultra model keeps its cuff-clip design but adds a beveled finish, wireless charging case, improved bass driver, Cinema Mode spatial audio, and up to nine hours of battery life. The Sport model reuses the OpenAudio tech from the Ultra line but is a distinct product from Bose's discontinued 2021 earbuds of the same name.
Bose has refreshed its clip-on Ultra Open Earbuds with a new driver for louder, deeper bass sound, longer battery life of up to nine hours, and a subtly redesigned beveled metal cap. Alongside this, Bose introduced a cheaper $199 Sport Open Earbuds model built for a more secure fit during workouts. Both open-ear designs skip noise cancellation on purpose, letting wearers stay aware of their surroundings while listening.
Apple's new AirPods 5 launch at $129 for the standard model, adding active noise cancellation that was previously missing from the lineup. A $149 version bundles a Wireless Charging Case and extended battery life, making it the more compelling purchase for most buyers.