Music

Altec Lansing cuts the cord with Freedom earbuds

The Freedom earbuds offer a more rugged, truly wireless earbud experience
Altec Lansing
The Freedom earbuds offer a more rugged, truly wireless earbud experience
Altec Lansing

Altec Lansing has unveiled a new set of earphones that are "truly wireless," meaning there are no cables in sight – not even between the two earbuds themselves. The Freedom earbuds, which have a lengthy battery life and waterproof design, are on show at CES this week in Las Vegas.

This isn't the first time we've seen trulywireless earbuds. Just last month, Gizmag reviewed the Earin Bluetooth wireless earphones, which are designed to provide a similarexperience to Altec Lansing's latest. The Freedom earbuds are a little different though, notleast in how they look, with a bulkier, more rugged-looking build.

The extra size appears to have beenput to good use, with the company rating the embedded lithium-ionbatteries for six hours of use – twice that of the Earin earphones.There's also a charging carrying case included in the box,which can be used to juice up the earbuds when away from a wallsocket, providing an extra three hours of charge.

The Freedoms have a 100-ft (30-m)Bluetooth range and feature built-in buttons for navigating songs andphone calls. They're IPX7 waterproof and include aBluetooth-based GPS tracking feature, which is accessed through acompanion app. The feature is designed to help users locate theearbuds when they've been misplaced, which could be useful consideringtheir small size and complete lack of wires.

The Freedom earbuds will be availablein a choice of nine different colors, going on sale in Q22016 for US$150. They're on show at CES 2016, where Gizmag is on theground.

Source: Altec Lansing

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3 comments
Harry Jones
It's a "no no" using bluetooth to link the left and right speaker. Bragi had problems with this. Connection outside will be breaking up all the time. Bluetooth is poor passing from one side of the body to the other [through the body's water] and especially outside, there are no walls for the signal to bounce back from. Also waterproof will reduce music quality and signal. Not thought through.
Gizzyfuel
Well if this technology can get some improvement within the hearing aid like being able to take a shower and swimming and no fear of rain. This will be truly a blessing for us who was born with a severe hearing loss.
ClaytonRector
Bought these yesterday at Sam's. Tried using them while mowing this morning and unless I held the phone in my hand the signal dropped from one ear or the other. So as much as I love the concept and the sound these are going back,