Amazon announces second-generation Echo Buds for $ 99

Amazon on Wednesday announced the second version of its Echo Buds headphones, which are smaller and start at $ 99, although they promise some of the features of Apple’s $ 249 AirPods Pro.

Headphones are Amazon’s latest effort to attract people who don’t want Apple and to attract those who want to use Echo products and bring Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant to their ears anywhere it goes within the range of Bluetooth.

The new Echo Buds have active noise cancellation, like the AirPods Pro. Amazon says it blocks twice as much background noise as the first model. The feature allows you to hear better in places like airplane cabins or busy streets.

It looks like Amazon addressed many of the complaints I had with the first version of Echo Buds. They are 20% smaller than the first generation and are supposed to be more comfortable thanks to a redesign and a variety of rubber tips that come with the headphones.

They also include a carrying case 40% more compact than the previous model. And finally, the case uses a more modern USB-C charger that you may already have for your laptop, tablet, or phone. You can also opt for an updated case that supports wireless charging, a feature also offered by Apple, for $ 20 more.

Amazon said each bud has three microphones to help improve audio quality in noisy environments. They will also help Alexa feel better and improve your voice clarity in phone calls. It also improved the bass and treble.

There are a couple of new software features. Amazon introduces a feature to help you find lost headphones just by saying “Alexa, find my buds,” for example, which is similar to Apple’s Find My software. Alexa will also offer public transportation directions to seven cities: New York, Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Jersey City, and Philadelphia. Support for other cities will be launched in the coming months, Amazon said.

Amazon says second-generation Echo Buds will offer five hours of music playback with noise cancellation turned on (or 6.5 hours if turned off) and up to four hours of calling. The case offers up to an additional 15 hours (or 19.5 hours with active noise cancellation).

Echo Buds will be released on May 13 in black and white. They’ll start at $ 99 for the regular model or $ 119.99 for a version with the wireless charging case. After a promotional period ending May 12, they will cost $ 119.99 and $ 139.99, respectively.