Wednesday 15 Nov 2006 - 09:07
Etymotic Research on Tuesday introduced the Ety 8, its first Bluetooth-based in-ear wireless earphones. The earphones are expected to be available at retailers beginning in early December for US$299 bundled with an iPod adaptor, or $199 for the earphones alone.
The Ety 8 earphones each weigh less than one half an ounce, with the battery in one and a circuit antenna and controls in the other. Etymotic includes a variety of eartips to achieve a custom, snug fit. Audio is played back at 44.1 Kbits per second, according to the company. And because they're in-ear earphones, the Ety 8's provide external noise exclusion functionality; Etymotic rates the reduction at 35 to 40 decibels (dB).
The earphones use a new low-power chipset manufactured by Broadcom which minimizes size and reduces power consumption, according to Etymotic. The battery lasts 7 to 10 hours per charge.
The 8Mate iPod adaptor that Etymotic sells along with the Ety 8 earphones enables you control sound volume, track selection, play/pause and previous/next track functions from both the earphone and the iPod.
Peter Cohen
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