Asus has announced what is claimed to be the world's first Bluetooth 4.0 headset to feature NFC technology. The ergonomically-designed EB50N earphones support one-touch pairing with smartphones and tablets, feature full-range stereo drivers, and boast a long battery life.
The inclusion of NFC EZ one-touch pairing technology means that the Asus EB50N earphones can auto sync with any Bluetooth-enabled device held about an inch (3 cm) away, or even closer. A multi-point connection mode means that they can also pair with two devices simultaneously.
The included Li-Pol battery offers up to 6 hours of continuous listening or talking, and users can also converse with two different people at the same time via the integrated microphone, or put one party on hold while chatting privately to the other. Though the product page currently claims 250 months on standby, the press release offers a more realistic 250 hours.
Each earpiece is home to an 8 mm full-range driver with echo cancellation and noise isolation. The earphones have a reported frequency response of 20 Hz to 17 kHz, and 85 dB sensitivity (± 3 dB). The left earpiece is home to an LED indicator and power button, and the right sports a micro USB port for charging. The specs also mention the use of exclusive bio-tech materials to minimize distortion, but no more details are offered.
The ergonomic design is claimed fatigue-free for comfortable prolonged use, and unlike many existing NFC-capable Bluetooth earphones (like the MDR-EX31BN Bluetooth 3.0 set from Sony, for example), the braided cable doesn't end in a chunky clip that attaches to clothing. Each bud hooks over the top of the ear and the cable runs around the back of the neck.
At the time of writing, we've no word on pricing or availability.
The promo video below from Asus runs through the main features.
Product page: Asus EB50N
