A long time ago, headphones were just a simple, wired device used to listen to music with a Walkman or other audio devices.
5 years ago, headphones became a wireless hardware to listen to music with various devices including smartphones.
And now they are a versatile online necessity used to connect with loved ones over the phone and video conference with remote colleagues.
They have become a tool to enjoy several mobile and online sound experiences.
And the next question is this; “What will be the next step? What will the newest headphones evolution allow us to accomplish?”
Sony has always been at the forefront of mobile audio, introducing industry firsts like the Walkman, noise cancelling headphones, and 3D audio, like 360 Reality Audio.
Today, we will redefine headphones and introduce an entirely new concept meant to bring us beyond traditional music and online use cases.
Today, we announce “LinkBuds”.
“LinkBuds” are a wearable “always on” sound gateway that bridges the gap between online and offline to deliver completely new experiences to you.
You can enjoy various types of online sounds, while still being able to hear offline real-world sounds at the same time through the hole at the center of the earbud -
– yes, you heard me correctly, they have real holes.
Thanks to this very unique design, “LinkBuds” provides you with several new sound experiences with the help of our incredible partners, such as AR gaming and brand-new video conferencing capabilities.
Let’s see what LindBuds are capable of, Firstly, Always on, Link online and offline
Linkbuds’ specially developed ring-shaped driver unit enables true transparent listening by capturing surrounding sounds, making you feel like you’re not wearing headphones.
They’re also small and lightweight, making them extremely comfortable to wear.
This means you can carry out both online and offline activities at the same time, while you are walking, calling, having a teleconference or playing games.
Smart features like wide area tap, quick access to music, adaptive volume control,
and crystal-clear call quality using Deep Neural Networks based on AI machine learning algorithms, make them easy to use for an effortless lifestyle.
secondly, New Sound Experience
LinkBuds uniquely integrate a gyro sensor and spatial sound technologies to deliver new audio experiences for gaming, work, music and more.
We’ve been working closely with our strong partners to develop amazing sound experiences that open new dimensions for LinkBuds owners.
One thing I love about LinkBuds is that you can hear surrounding sounds so clearly, making them a perfect fit for the modern work environment and “Work from Home” lifestyle.
Another project we’re working on with Microsoft is “Soundscape,” which will help everyone, including people who are blind or low-vision, explore places more comfortably by leveraging LinkBuds’ unique design.
Hello my name is Jarnail Chudge, I’m an Innovation Architect at Microsoft, and one of the co-founders of Microsoft Soundscape.
Following the strategic relationship Sony and Microsoft formed in 2019, we have been exploring how we can collaborate and bring new value to our customers.
I’m here to talk about the ground-breaking work we’ve been doing together to integrate Soundscape with the new Sony LinkBuds device, and the potential it will have for a whole new range of experiences.
Microsoft Soundscape is a navigation app which uses spatial audio to tell you about nearby places, roads, and intersections so they sound like they are coming from where they actually are in relation to you.
In this way, your awareness of your environment is enhanced and the opportunity to create a more heads-up and hands-free interaction with technology makes for a more human experience.
And, as we integrated LinkBuds with Soundscape, the headphones’ open-ear design, the built-in sensors, and the quality of the audio,
all neatly packaged together in this lovely form-factor, bring us much closer to that vision of a more human experience in a beautiful way.
Soundscape does not tell you what to do, instead, it allows you to build a richer picture of a space and explore and discover new places…on your own terms, by augmenting your experience with 3D sound callouts.
Thanks to the open-ear design, the LinkBuds do not block the sounds of the world around you and this lets you pay attention to your surroundings while being able to comfortably listen to the information from Soundscape.
Soundscape is designed for everyone and we worked closely with a range of different people, including several people who are blind or have low-vision,
and the feedback from them all on their experience with LinkBuds was very very positive.
And, the LinkBuds’ design as it is light weight and comfortable fit allow you the versatility to wear them for extended periods while using different applications.
Now it’s been the case over the past couple of years, we have all had to make changes and adjust to new ways of working, and interacting and collaborating with each other.
The modern world of work requires technology that supports working from anywhere.
In the past it was the office, but now it can be from home, while you’re taking a walk, picking your kids up from school, and so on.
The way that we work has changed, and it won’t go back to how it was before.
With the capabilities of LinkBuds, you can be productive in communicating with colleagues, leading or taking part in meetings and so on, while still being able to attend to whatever else you may be doing.
These are just a couple of really compelling and impactful cases of how our collaboration with Sony hardware like the LinkBuds, and Microsoft’s innovative technology can create and bring new value to our customers.
This is really just the beginning and we’re working on a number of new and innovative services for the future.
So, stay tuned and thank-you!
Now, let me tell you about our exciting gaming collaboration.
Together with our partner Niantic, LinkBuds will provide gamers with an incredible online/offline connection for a truly unique AR gaming experience.
Hi, I’m Archit Bhargava, Director of Product Marketing at Niantic.
Our mission is to inspire people to explore the world, together
Through our games Ingrass, Pokémon GO and Pikmin Bloom, millions of people have discovered new places and experience the joys of connecting friends in the real world.
These games are built on a global game board that connects the real with the digital world - to create shared magical experiences.
When you mention Augmented Reality today, most people think about images, creations or filters overlaid on the real world.
That's going to be a big part of the future, but this experience will be even more immersive when you tap into other senses such as sound.
That's why we’re so excited to partner with Sony on the launch of LinkBuds, a new category of headphones that provide high fidelity audio in the real world, always-on, stylish device.
Sound is an important part of all gaming experiences – and especially ones which are played out in the real world.
Today, many people play Niantic’s games with the sound off - because you don't want to be cut off from the world around you.
But with LinkBuds, we think our users will be even more immersed in the experience - while also being aware of their surroundings in the real world too.
This for us is just the beginning. We're also looking forward to collaborating with Sony to create fun, immersive audio experiences for our community on an even deeper level.
Thank you.
And for our loyal music lovers, Quick Access to Spotify is a great Linkbuds feature for a seamless listening experience.
By simply tapping your cheek, Spotify instantly starts without even taking out your smartphone.
At any given moment, millions of people across the globe are listening to their favourite artists on Spotify.
Our ambition is to make sure great audio is accessible everywhere our listeners are.
Today, no matter what device you’re using or whether you’re at home or on the move – Spotify is always there, with music tailored just for you.
But we’re just getting started.
We believe we can go even further to give great choices at every moment.
We want to create a future where, no matter the situation, our listeners get a seamless experience.
Where getting the music started is effortless and yet each experience is made just for you.
Where, as you move from work to the gym to home, the music moves with you.
Where the perfect experience for each moment is revealed in delightful ways.
And so we’re excited by the arrival of Spotify Tap on LinkBuds by Sony.
Spotify Tap provides the easiest, most personal way to bring music to your ears.
Put on your headphones and simple taps get the music playing, from wherever you left off.
If you were listening on another device, it seamlessly moves the sound to your headphones.
If you’re in the mood for something different, tapping again plays a recommendation just for you…
Which means you sometimes discover something new and more choices are just a tap away.
We are excited to bring our most effortless experience yet to LinkBuds.
So whatever you’re doing, Spotify and Sony can be with you as never before, so you can fill your day with more of the sounds you love.
Last but not least, Sony is committed to sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of our products and practices.
We use recycled plastic to create the LinkBuds headphones and their charging case, and the product packaging does not use any plastic materials.
LinkBuds are the wearable sound gateway to link online and offline worlds and deliver new user experiences.
We can’t wait for you to try them out for yourself.
We will continue to create innovations by working with partners extensively to provide a revolutionary lifestyle without boundaries.
Thank you.