Amazon earphone "Echo Buds" landed in Japan. Empty-handed Alexa call

Echo Buds (2nd Gen) Black

In commemoration of the new product announcement of Echo Buds, a limited-time promotion has started. If you order by 23:59 on February 23, you can purchase a model with a USB-C charging case for 10,480 yen, a discount of 2,500 yen, and a model with a wireless charging case for 11,480 yen, a discount of 3,500 yen. In addition, Echo Buds will be available for purchase at some electronics retailers in the future.

Equipped with a compact design, a 5.7mm dynamic driver unit that achieves clear and balanced sound, and Amazon's own custom-designed noise canceling (NC) technology. In addition to calling Alexa hands-free using the built-in microphone, you can also make voice calls.

The NC function uses two beamforming microphones on the outside and one microphone on the inside to estimate the sound pressure in the ear according to the surrounding sounds. Generates an inverse audio signal to suppress unwanted background noise and enhance immersion in music. You can use NC by pressing and holding the earphone, enabling it in the device settings of the Alexa app, or saying "Alexa, turn on noise canceling".

Equipped with an ambient sound function that allows you to listen to outside sounds while wearing earphones. You can enable it by long-pressing the earbuds or in the device settings in the Alexa app, and you can adjust the ambient volume from the same app. NC and ambient sound can be switched by tapping.

It is also a feature that you can talk to Alexa and access information content such as entertainment and news. You can find your favorite artists and songs on Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, etc. For example, while walking, you can ask "Alexa, play relaxing songs for 15 minutes" to request music for a certain period of time.

You can also play the continuation of the song you were listening to on your Echo Buds on the go by saying "Alexa, play continuation" on your Echo device at home, or vice versa. You can also listen to the continuation on the go with Echo Buds.

The number of Alexa skills compatible with the Echo series has exceeded 4,000 in Japan (as of February 2022). By using Alexa skills with Echo Buds, you can listen to various contents such as listening to the contents delivered by Nihon Keizai Shimbun by calling, for example, "Alexa, open Nikkei while listening", listening to your favorite books on Audible, etc. Hands-free access.

You can also use Alexa on the Echo Buds to call friends, set reminders to stretch for a few minutes every hour, check your calendar, add everyday items to your shopping list, and more. Can do various tasks.

The Echo Buds connect to Alexa through the Alexa app on the user's smartphone and use the smartphone's data plan to access features such as music and calls. Supports iOS devices with iOS 12 or higher and smartphones with Android 6.0 or higher. Compliant with Bluetooth 5.0, the processor is equipped with Realtek "RTL8763C". It has an accelerometer, a proximity sensor, and a touch sensor. The charging case has a hall sensor.

The built-in microphone is designed to make it easier to hear the user's voice during a call. Privacy protection measures have also been taken, such as the ability to mute the microphone through the Alexa app or a preset tap method. The Echo Buds also support activation of Siri and Google Assistant.

If you lose your earphones, press the Find My Device button in the Alexa app and the Echo Buds will chime when they are within the Bluetooth range emitted by your smartphone to make it easier to find them. If the earphones are in a case, it is necessary to open the case.

The weight of the earphone is 5.7g (excluding earpiece and wing tip). With IPX4 grade sweat resistance, it can be used even in splashes, sweat, and light rain. The design is comfortable even when worn for long periods of time. A short nozzle and a vent that reduces pressure in the ear canal fit inside the ear. You can use the Alexa app to fit test the earpieces during setup to ensure proper earpieces and wingtips for each side. Comes with 4 sizes of ear tips and 2 types of wing tips.

When the hands-free function of NC and Alexa is on, you can use it for up to 5 hours on a single charge and listen to music for up to 15 hours including the charging case. When off, the earphones alone can be used for up to 6.5 hours, and the charging case can be used for up to 19.5 hours. In addition, it supports quick charging that can play music for up to 2 hours with 15 minutes of charging.

You can check the battery level of the left and right earphones by wearing the Echo Buds and saying "Alexa, how much is the battery level?" When you open the case with the Echo Buds in, the LED lights on the front of each earbud light up to indicate battery status. The model with a wireless charging case can use a Qi-compatible wireless charger such as the "PowerWave 5W wireless charging pad for Amazon Echo Buds" (sold separately) that has been certified for Made for Amazon.