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Sony Electronics Announces the New LinkBuds S "Earth Blue" Noise Canceling Truly Wireless Headphones and "LinkBuds UC for Microsoft Teams"

TheLostSwede

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Sony Electronics Inc. today announced that it will release LinkBuds S noise canceling truly wireless headphones in a new color variation. Following the white, black, and ecru color versions that have been available since May 2022, a new stylish color, "Earth Blue," has been added to the line-up, created using recycled water bottle materials. Multi-point connection is also being brought to LinkBuds and LinkBuds S for seamless connection between devices will be available. Additionally, a new model "LinkBuds UC for Microsoft Teams" will be released with new features that are compatible with Microsoft Teams.

The comfortable LinkBuds S will be available in the new "Earth Blue" color. Parts of the body and case of LinkBuds S in Earth Blue are made from recycled water bottle materials which creates a unique, one-of-a-kind marble pattern. It was originally developed by Sony in pursuit of a new design expression with the aim of expanding the potential use of recycled materials.




In addition to the "Earth Blue" model, the entire LinkBuds series also comes with plastic-free packaging (excluding coating and adhesive materials) and the headphones are made with recycled materials from automobile parts, reflecting Sony's commitment to help reduce the environmental impact of its products.

LinkBuds S "Earth Blue" is an initiative in support of Sony Group's "Road to Zero." Sony Group's long-term environmental plan "Road to Zero" aims to reduce our environmental footprint to zero by 2050. As part of this, Sony established the "Green Management 2025" environmental medium-term targets that took effect in the fiscal year 2021 and will run through the end of the fiscal year 2025. It aims to accelerate efforts such as the introduction of recycled plastics, the reduction of product power consumption, the elimination of plastic from the packaging of newly designed small products, and the introduction of renewable energy.

Donation Program to Support Ocean Conservation Activities
The annual production of plastic has increased approximately 20 times over the past 50 years, while the amount of plastic recycled has remained at approximately 9 percent. At the time of LinkBuds S "Earth Blue" launch, Sony will become a proud partner and donate $500,000 to Conservation International (CI), an international NGO that has worked across 70 countries to date since 1987 to empower societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature and global biodiversity for the well-being of humanity.

"In nature, nothing happens in a vacuum - pollution in one place can impact the entire ocean," said Anastasia Khoo, Chief Marketing Officer at Conservation International. "Plastics pollution is a problem in its own right but it also plays a role in exacerbating other stresses the ocean faces, from climate change to overfishing. Humans depend on a healthy ocean and efforts like this campaign help drive needed funding and raise awareness and engagement with consumers."

Multipoint Connection Software Update
All models in the LinkBuds series (excluding LinkBuds UC for Teams) will also receive a software update by November of 2022 to enable the multipoint connection function, which allows users to connect to two devices at the same time. In addition to LinkBuds, the award-winning WF-1000XM4 headphones will also benefit from the more convenient Bluetooth function this winter. For example, if a consumer is playing music on their PC and their smartphone receives a phone call, it will automatically switch to the smartphone for a hands-free call without having to switch connections.

Additionally, with the Auto Play app, featuring automatic music playback according to user's activity benefits from the multipoint connection function. Once users are done with a call, or finished with work and close their PC, music will automatically play from their smartphone 5 6.

LinkBuds Headphones Now Certified for Microsoft Teams
Sony is also launching a model certified for Microsoft Teams for the first generation LinkBuds - LinkBuds UC for Microsoft Teams. This product adds features to improve convenience of participating in online meetings with truly wireless LinkBuds headphones. The ring driver unit features an open central diaphragm for audio transparency and is available when participating in Microsoft Teams meetings so discussing with colleagues in the office and connecting to surroundings is easy.

Features related to Microsoft Teams can be easily operated via headphones
Calls can be easily operated by tapping the headphones. For instance, to mute the microphone, tap the right earbud three times or utilize wide area tap. This useful feature enhances hybrid working efficiency - for example when one steps away from their PC during a meeting to have a side conversation. The LinkBuds also feature all Microsoft Teams specific features like receiving calls, and raising hands for meetings in Microsoft Teams - all configurable in the Headphones Connect App.

Seamless exchange between PC and other devices
By connecting to a PC through the included USB transceiver and mobile phone via Bluetooth, users can seamlessly switch between their PC and phone to ensure they don't miss anything said. For instance, users can switch their Microsoft Teams meeting from their phone to their PC without having to reconnect their LinkBuds.

"It's clear that the future of work will involve a combination of working in the office as well as remotely." Albert Kooiman, Senior Director of Microsoft Teams Devices Partner Engineering and Certification. A device that allows users to participate in Teams meetings anytime and anywhere with high-quality audio is becoming increasingly important. We are excited for the LinkBuds to be Certified for Microsoft Teams, allowing users to take advantage of the powerful collaborative functionality of Teams in conjunction with the flexibility provided with the LinkBuds' open ring design enables users to hear to their call and their direct surroundings, which is ideal for multi-tasking and on-the-go work."

LinkBuds S: A New Frontier for Headphones
LinkBuds S allows to experience the best of both the digital and physical worlds. They are perfect to stay connected to online and offline experiences all-day long, thanks to their ultra-small and lightweight design with natural ambient sound. They combine innovative ambient sound technology that lets users interact with the world around them, with high-quality noise canceling technology, allowing to the ability to focus on the content and nothing else.

The headphones integrate Adaptive Sound Control, a smart feature that adjusts ambient sound settings depending on where the user is located, creating the ideal listening experience. Ways of interacting with sound are diversifying and evolving.

Pricing and availability
The LinkBuds S Earth Blue version will be priced at MSRP $199.99 and will be available in the United States at the end of October 2022 at Sony Electronics, Amazon, and other Sony authorized retailers.

The LinkBuds UC will be priced at MSRP $249.99 and will be available at Sony Electronics and Sony authorized retailers in Winter 2022.

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Hi,
Lost count on how many times this was said "Earth Blue are made from recycled water bottle materials"
 
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The LinkBuds UC basically put a big price bump in exchange for a Teams "certified" badge and a dongle, lol.
 

TheLostSwede

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The LinkBuds UC basically put a big price bump in exchange for a Teams "certified" badge and a dongle, lol.
Maybe it's to offset some of the licensing/certification cost?
Or maybe it's just because Sony knows gullible corporations will buy them?
 
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Hi,
Surprised they didn't squeeze inclusive in there a few times for good measure :laugh:
 

Hanger

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"Multipoint Connection Software Update" - Hell yeah, finally!
 
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"Multipoint Connection Software Update" - Hell yeah, finally!
Indeed. I did not really expect multipoint update but it's appreciated.
Overall loving my LinkBuds S. Very compact earbuds, understated design and LDAC with compact case too.
Essentially more compact XM4's minus wireless charging.
 
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No word on battery life... guess why...
With LDAC (max quality) and max volume these last about 3 hours non-stop. Much more with standard AAC. The case allows for approximately 3 full charges and both the case and the buds support fast charge.
 
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With LDAC (max quality) and max volume these last about 3 hours non-stop. Much more with standard AAC. The case allows for approximately 3 full charges and both the case and the buds support fast charge.
Hmm, that is totaly useless for me. I need battery to last at least a full shift (8 hours). So I use podsies under local Czech brand called Niceboy (10 h x 3 charges).
 
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Hmm, that is totaly useless for me. I need battery to last at least a full shift (8 hours). So I use podsies under local Czech brand called Niceboy (10 h x 3 charges).
Battery life comes in at six hours per charge with ANC activated. This can be stretched out to nine hours with noise-cancelling turned off. The supplied charging case provides an additional 14 hours. During testing we found the Sonys to be pretty much on the mark, almost surviving a solid day of use at our desks without having to be dropped back in their case.

Unless you want the most compact wireless earbuds that support LDAC and ANC then there are others that offer longer playtime. The compact size of the LinkBuds S has to come from somewhere and battery life obviously takes a hit. The XM4's are 41% larger and 33% heavier and offer 8h play/16h charge (ANC on) and 12h/24h (ANC off) battery life with earbuds and case respectively.

5 minutes of charge offers 1 hour of playtime. So unless your shift is 8 hours non stop without breaks i dont really see a problem.
These fit me better because my shift is part time 2-3 hours and if i want i can use these on full blast the entire time (reviews mostly test standard AAC or LDAC at adaptive bit rate where as i force max quality LDAC that is harsh on battery).
 
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I guess you are speaking about Sony WF-1000XM4. Those look really nice and spec are not bad either. But that price? It roughly 5 times as much as my current Podsies.
 
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I guess you are speaking about Sony WF-1000XM4. Those look really nice and spec are not bad either. But that price? It roughly 5 times as much as my current Podsies.
Yep they are not worth it unless you really want the best ANC from any earbuds. Personally i dont like them because they are too bulky. That is why i got the Linkbuds S because they use the same chip for ANC as XM4 but are cheaper an way more compact. ANC is weaker than XM4 obviously but still very good.
 
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