Surface Earbuds, Microsoft’s premium earphones

Apple has the Airpods, Samsung has the Galaxy Buds, naturally, Microsoft wanted a piece of the wireless ‘buds’ market as well. Its entrant into the foray is the Surface Earbuds.Touted as ‘premium true wireless airbuds’, these circular earphones are unlike anything we’ve seen before. While other manufacturers who prefer to one-up Apple, the software giant took a more interesting route. What we have here are a pair of earbuds that resemble a conical vase that tapper off toward the actual earbuds.

The massive flat circle on the top not only looks aesthetically pleasing but also serves another function. It is also a touch surface, by performing several different gestures with your finger, as you would on a smartphone screen,the Surface Earbuds’ flat surfaces are able to recognize several different tasks. Many of them are music related but some border on the vanity side of things.

Swiping back or forwards enables you to change music tracks, swipe up or down to adjust the volume and double tapping the surface pauses music or answers calls. Also, Touch and hold to active your smartphone’s personal digital assistant. that’s not all, Microsoft says that you can also use the device to access your Outlook calendar, email and to-do’s, swiping can also advance PowerPoint slides and get live, on-screen captions and translations.

There are four anchor points on these earbuds that help them stay in place, which they say shouldn’t block your ear canal but still be able to maintain a snug fit in your ears. Weighing just 7.2g each, Microsoft’s offering is able to provide 8 hours of service on a single charging, but that goes up to 24 hours when used with the charging case. Without the earbuds, the case weighs about 40g and can be charged with a USB-C cable.

Unlike its current competitors, which are far more subtle in their appearance, the Surface Earbuds make no apologies for what they are, large circular discs that at first glance, resemble cosmetic jewelry. They sit flush against the top of the charging case, providing an aesthetically pleasing look the moment you open it. There’s no word yet on price but that information should be revealed soon.