Amazon has officially unveiled its first truly wireless earbuds and they're called (surprise surprise) Echo Buds.
The Buds were announced at the company's big hardware event in Seattle alongside a host of new Echo devices, which included more wearables in the shape of a smart ring, called the Echo Loop, and Echo Frames smartglasses. It marks the company's first move into the hearable space.
Hands on: Amazon Echo Buds review
Like its fellow Echo counterparts, Amazon's Alexa smart assistant is at the heart with each earbud featuring two outer microphones and one inner microphone to ensure you can hear Alexa without getting drowned out by ambient noise.
Amazon says you can also mute those mics, if you're worried about them picking up conversation's you don't want to share. It will also let you delete voice recordings at any time in another measure to ensure the Buds protect your privacy.
Connecting to Alexa is done through the smartphone app and will utilize your phone's existing data plan to access features like music, navigation via Google Maps and making calls. Alexa will be able to perform functions like play your favorite playlist, check your calendar or order an Uber when beckoned by your voice.
It will also support Amazon skills to add extra functionality like requesting an Uber or launching guided workouts without having to reach for your phone.
If Alexa is not your bag, you can still access Siri through your iPhone or Google Assistant on your Android phone, which is done by pressing and holding one of the earbuds.
On the sound front, Amazon is using two premium, balanced armature drivers in each bud that Amazon says is inspired by the kind of in-ear monitors that professional musicians use. It says those drivers should help deliver crisp, clear vocals and dynamic bass.
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Amazon is also packing in Active Noise Reduction Technology from Bose that seeks to minimise the sound around you letting you double tap on either bud to turn Active Noise Reduction on. So, essentially, it's a Pass-through mode that we've already seen on other truly wireless earbuds.
Amazon is bundling in three different sized ear tips and wing tips with the Echo Buds and says each earbud is sweat resistant and IPX4 certified to withstand splashes or light rain. They should be good for a run in the rain, but not ones to go swimming with.
In terms of battery life, the Echo Buds will apparently give you up to five hours of music playback or four hours of call time of a full charge. That's the same battery life you can get from fully charged Apple AirPods and Samsung's Galaxy Buds
It's no surprise to hear they'll come with a charging case that can hold up three additional charges, which equates to 15 additional hours of music playback or 12 hours of call time. A quick 15 minute charge will also get you 2 hours of play time if you're in a rush and forgotten to charge them up.
The Amazon Echo Buds will be priced at and are available to preorder now. The Echo Buds will be released on 30 October.
How we test
By Michael Sawh
Michael Sawh has been covering the wearable tech industry since the very first Fitbit landed back in 2011. Previously the resident wearable tech expert at Trusted Reviews, he also marshaled the features section of T3.com.
He also regularly contributed to T3 magazine when they needed someone to talk about fitness trackers, running watches, headphones, tablets, and phones.
Michael writes for GQ, Wired, Coach Mag, Metro, MSN, BBC Focus, Stuff, TechRadar and has made several appearances on the BBC Travel Show to talk all things tech.
Michael is a lover of all things sports and fitness-tech related, clocking up over 15 marathons and has put in serious hours in the pool all in the name of testing every fitness wearable going. Expect to see him with a minimum of two wearables at any given time.