Amazon launches second-gen Echo Buds with new design, better features

Amazon on Wednesday announced the launch of the next-generation Echo Buds.

The new wearable comes with a brand-new design and improved audio capabilities, including a special Active Noise Cancellation technology. There’s, of course, support for hands-free Alexa as well.

Amazon’s Echo Buds will be available in the US for a starting price of $119.99 ( ₹15,000 approximately). The company is also bundling six months of Amazon Music Unlimited and Audible Plus free for select customers. The device comes in Black and Glacier White colour options.

Let’s talk about the design of the new wearable. Amazon says its new Echo Buds are about 20% smaller and lighter than the predecessor. It also comes with IPX4 certification to ensure it is resistant to sweat, splashes or light rain. The company has also shortened the nozzle for better comfort. There are also new built-in vents. During the setup, the device will let you do an Ear Tip Fit Test to ensure it is properly fit.

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According to Amazon, the new ANC technology can cancel twice as much noise, compared to the previous generation.

“The technology uses the inner and outer microphones to intelligently estimate sound pressure in your eardrum—which directly correlates to how you hear the sound around you—to generate the inverse of that signal and cancel out unwanted noise, helping you stay immersed in your audio,” says Amazon in a post.

You can also use voice commands to activate the ANC. For instance, you can press and hold either earbud or say, “Alexa, turn on noise cancellation.” For turning on the ambient mode, say, “Alexa, turn on Passthrough.”

Apart from Alexa, Echo Buds second-gen also support Siri and Google Assistant.

Amazon’s new Echo Buds are said to deliver up to 5 hours of music playback on a single charge. This is with ANC enabled. The case offers “two additional charges” to give 15 hours of music playback. Echo Buds can be charged through USB-C or a Qi-certified wireless charging pad.