14 DAY TRIAL // Earbuds usually have enough trouble integrating just the essential audio parts, but occasionally a set will be designed that has extra capabilities. The Sony MDR-AS600BT is an example of such earphones.
The name alone is enough to infer what the new product has as an advantage over most of its peers, provided one is familiar with the vernacular. The BT at the end of the name there stands for Bluetooth.
However, Bluetooth is not the only technology you should look forward to. Indeed, it's not all that shocking on its own.
What really stands out is the NFC support. Near Field Communication allows very short range wireless data bursts, which enable instant BT pairing between two devices.
In this case, NFC can be used to link the earphones (in-ear headphones) with whatever smartphone, tablet or other BT-enabled handset you may be carrying (2.4GHz band).
The Sony MDR-AS600BT headphones
Interestingly enough, the buds, or rather the external section, tip forward instead of backwards, making the newcomer somewhat unusual in that regard.
Still, the earphones are reasonably small, and they use Arc Supporters to make sure they stay in place. You'll probably get earlobe ache if you use them too long, but that's something all earphones cause after a while.
The earphones have 9 mm dynamic drivers, one button (to switch from a music track to answer a call if needed) and a lithium-ion rechargeable battery whose charge can last for up to 8.5 hours.
That's 8.5 hours of music playback time, 8 hours of communication time, and up to 250 hours of standby time.
As for the cable, it's only there to keep the two earphones connected, since they need to operate on the same battery somehow. There is, however, a Micro USB port for recharging.
Availability and pricing
The Sony MDR-AS600BT set of in-ear headphones will ship from February 13 onwards, for a price still unspecified.
Given the wireless support, the atypical design, the 20 Hz to 20 KHz frequency response and the IPX 4 waterproof standard rating (splash and sweat-proof), it will be among the more expensive of its kind in the world. Shipments will be restricted to Asia at first, sadly.
