Wearables

Asus launches NFC-capable BT 4.0 earbuds

Asus launches NFC-capable BT 4.0 earbuds
The Asus EB50N NFC-enabled, Bluetooth 4.0 (with EDR) earphones
The Asus EB50N NFC-enabled, Bluetooth 4.0 (with EDR) earphones
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The Asus EB50N NFC-enabled BT 4.0 earphones come supplied with a carry pouch, a USB charging cable and three different sized buds
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The Asus EB50N NFC-enabled BT 4.0 earphones come supplied with a carry pouch, a USB charging cable and three different sized buds
The right earpiece housing sports a micro USB port for charging the integrated Li-Pol battery
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The right earpiece housing sports a micro USB port for charging the integrated Li-Pol battery
Each bud hooks over the top of the ear and the cable runs around the back of the neck
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Each bud hooks over the top of the ear and the cable runs around the back of the neck
The left earpiece is home to an LED indicator and power button
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The left earpiece is home to an LED indicator and power button
Each earpiece is home to an 8 mm full-range driver with echo cancellation and noise isolation
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Each earpiece is home to an 8 mm full-range driver with echo cancellation and noise isolation
The Asus EB50N NFC-enabled, Bluetooth 4.0 (with EDR) earphones
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The Asus EB50N NFC-enabled, Bluetooth 4.0 (with EDR) earphones
View gallery - 6 images

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
Each earpiece is home to an 8 mm full-range driver with echo cancellation and noise isolation

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

View gallery - 6 images
4 comments
4 comments
Harry Jones
Well this wouldn't last 2 minutes for running. It would slip out of your ear and no way it's sweatproof. There is even an open usb.
Zarbi
Ah! Over ear cabling on NFC Bluetooth earphones. No mention of earpiece weight though? If Comply then produce MF tips for this, it should be an absolute winner.
Russell Willmoth
Essential part missing: price! Thanks.
dalroth5
What happens when you get close to your partner? Do you start picking up her audio? If it auto-pairs with two devices simultaneously, do you get two sets of stereo, with different sources?
Damned interesting, but I'm pretty sure those issues would stop me from buying 'em.
And the larger point is the way in which our own volition is being removed from transactions. Hands up those who are finding it increasingly difficult to locate a spot on a webpage for parking your mouse cursor, because everything has a 'mouseover' action? :)