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What are Surface Earbuds and How Do They Work?
The Scoop on Microsoft's Buds and How They Stack Up
By Dawna Roberts Dawna Roberts Writer University of Phoenix Dawna M. Roberts has 20+ years' experience in technology. Her works have appeared in Forbes, Huffington Post, Actiontec, Hackernoon, and other publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on November 22, 2019 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Headphones & Ear Buds Eco Tech Electric Vehicles Working From Home Headphones & Ear Buds Smart Home Smart Watches & Wearables Travel Tech Connected Car Tech iPods & MP3 Players Microsoft is readying truly wireless earbuds that are ready for music and podcasts, but also a great companion accessory for Microsoft Office. What are Surface Earbuds
Surface Earbuds are Bluetooth enabled earbuds that have no wire connecting each earbud together (a first for Microsoft). Microsoft says they are engineered to deliver great audio thanks to noise cancelling technology, additional microphones, and are designed to have a comfortable fit. How Do Surface Earbuds Work
Microsoft Microsoft has enabled touch surfaces so you can use gestures to interact with the earbuds. So you can tap, touch, and swipe, you can adjust the volume, make calls, and open programs like Spotify on Android without looking at a screen. The Wi-Fi feature allows them to work seamlessly with Microsoft Office, and you can dictate to-dos, read and reply to emails, add things to your calendar. Additionally, you can add real-time captions to Powerpoint presentations and move through slides without ever touching your device. Using Bluetooth, you can connect to your Android phone, Microsoft device, or iPhone. From there, you can make and receive phone calls, listen to music, and execute command entirely with your voice. By holding your finger flat on the surface of the earbud, you engage a virtual assistant. Surface Earbuds work with both Cortana (on the Microsoft platform) and Google Assistant on Android. For the best fit, Microsoft recommends putting them in your ears with the bud facing down and then turning them counterclockwise to lock them in. Technical Details to Know
Microsoft promises 24 hours of battery life when stored with the charging case. You can expect 8 hours of continuous playtime and then another (2) 8-hour charges from the case. A 10-minute charge adds an additional hour of battery life. The Surface Earbuds have an IPX4 waterproof rating, meaning they are water-resistant, not waterproof. Microsoft includes three pairs of silicone ear tips (sizes: S/M/L) to help you get a solid fit. The charging case uses USB-C (the box will include the charging case uses a USB-C to USB-A cable). Microsoft’s Surface Earbuds are compatible with Windows 10, Android 8.1 down to 4.4, iPhone 11, X, 8, 7, 6 & 5, iOS 13 down to version 9, and Bluetooth 4.1/4.2. Alternative Products to Surface Earbuds
The top competitors for these new earbuds are Apple's AirPods/AirPods Pro and Amazon Echo Buds. All three, offer noise cancellation and very good music quality. Where to Find Surface Earbuds
Initially set for release for December, 2019, Microsoft pushed back the release date to the first half of 2020. You will be able to buy them directly from Microsoft as well as retail and online tech outlets. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire What Are AirPods and How Do They Work? Apple AirPods Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds Live: Which Noise-Cancelling Wireless Earbuds To Get? The 8 Best Wireless Earbuds of 2022 Jabra Elite 85t Review: Solid Earbuds with Tons of Features The 6 Best Budget Earbuds of 2022 OnePlus Buds Z Review: Bangin’ Budget Buds The 10 Best Earbuds of 2022 Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Review: The Only Earbuds You Should Have in Your Pocket Bose Sleepbuds II: Unique Earbuds Reduce Distractions and Improve Sleep Quality Sony WF-1000XM3 Review: Almost Perfect True Wireless Earbuds Sennheiser CX 400BT Review: Simple Earbuds With Impressive Sound Quality Apple AirPods 3 Review: An Audible Evolution Bose SoundSport Free Review: Excellent And Simple True Wireless Earbuds Jabra Elite 75t Review: Among the Best True Wireless Earbuds Microsoft Surface Headphones Review: A Premium Set Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review: Pro Android Headphones Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies