Skullcandy, a maker of stereo headphones and earbuds, has partnered with Bragi to incorporate advanced features, including a voice interface and artificial intelligence, into its products. Through this partnership, Skullcandy will create truly smart, future-proof audio products, infused with easy-to-use, transformative technology incorporating Bragi’s software platform featuring embedded AI.
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“Skullcandy has earned our market-leading position due to a keen obsession with our consumer’s adventurous uses,” said Jason Hodell, CEO at Skullcandy. “Giving our fans the freedom to enjoy their content, control their earbuds and enable communications all without taking off their gloves or letting go of the handlebars is an exciting advancement for our brand.”
The hallmark feature of the platform is the ability to go completely hands-free. With a simple voice command, users will be able to start and control their media player, even without internet connectivity, as well as accept or reject incoming calls. Skullcandy also offers direct access to any native voice assistant on a smartphone. This broad range compatibility ensures seamless functionality for all users, regardless of their phone operating system, according to a press release.
“Skullcandy owns the sub-$100 segment in the U.S., commanding huge volumes and enabling us to deliver millions of Bragi-enabled earbuds to the market,” said Nikolaj Hviid, Founder and CEO at Bragi. “The partnership with Skullcandy is transformational to Bragi becoming a platform for headphones, just as Android and iOS are for smartphones,” said Hviid.
Made up of co-developed, system-on-a-chip (SoC) technology, the all-new Skullcandy platform was engineered with updatable firmware. This enables Skullcandy earbuds to receive over-the-air updates as new features become available. Users will be able to update their audio products via the Skullcandy App to add new features, not only enhancing functionality to make them smarter over time but further adding value by extending product lifespan.
“Through a massively scaled design and integration effort with our strategic partners, Skullcandy has developed a scalable, cost-effective, advanced technology platform for software-defined audio products,” said Jeff Hutchings, Chief Product Officer at Skullcandy. “The new platform utilizes best-in-class, customized BT SoC functionality along with the Bragi OS to support advanced features like hands-free voice control, customizable button interfaces and more.”
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The Skullcandy technology platform – which will launch across three new true wireless products later this year – will also allow users to share audio with others nearby via compatible Skullcandy audio products, take a photo with a button press on the earbud and even end battery anxiety with a verbal update on remaining capacity each time earbuds are activated.
