Wearables

Noble adds some wireless spice to existing earphones

Noble adds some wireless spice to existing earphones
Noble's Bluetooth Solution is described as being the company's approach to wireless with an emphasis on retaining the benefits of in-ear monitors
Noble's Bluetooth Solution is described as being the company's approach to wireless with an emphasis on retaining the benefits of in-ear monitors
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BTS features Bluetooth 4.0 technology with the aptX codec for the promise of up to CD quality listening and support for Apple lossless
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BTS features Bluetooth 4.0 technology with the aptX codec for the promise of up to CD quality listening and support for Apple lossless
Noble's Bluetooth Solution is described as being the company's approach to wireless with an emphasis on retaining the benefits of in-ear monitors
2/2
Noble's Bluetooth Solution is described as being the company's approach to wireless with an emphasis on retaining the benefits of in-ear monitors

Late last year, Voxoa launched a crowdfunding campaign to bring a cool device called BTunes to market. Rather than buy a new set of Bluetooth-enabled cans to enjoy some wireless freedom, users would just plug the unit into the audio port of favored headphones, power on and pair up. The BTS from Noble allows users to plug in their earphones of choice and put some sweet wireless distance between them and the source player.

As with the BTunes plug, there are a good many Bluetooth-enabled in-ear headphones already available, from the wrap-around Tone Infinim to sporty Jabras. There are also market hopefuls like the Earin and Nextear pop-in plugs. But Noble's Bluetooth Solution (BTS) will allow users to listen through a trusted pair of reference in-ear monitors or favored high-end earphones.

The 14.5 x 14.5 x 60 mm (0.57 x 0.57 x 2.36 in), 10 g (0.35 oz) BTS features Bluetooth 4.0 technology with the aptX codec for the promise of up to CD quality listening and support for Apple lossless. You'll be able to wander about 33 ft (10 m) away from the Bluetooth-enabled music player or smart device. It's capable of maintaining a connection to two devices at the same time and auto connects to previously paired source devices.

BTS features Bluetooth 4.0 technology with the aptX codec for the promise of up to CD quality listening and support for Apple lossless
BTS features Bluetooth 4.0 technology with the aptX codec for the promise of up to CD quality listening and support for Apple lossless

The built-in battery is reported good for at least 7 hours of continuous music playback or talk time using the omnidirectional microphone with push button controls. Charging is said to take 2 hours via micro-USB.

Sure, you're still going to have some dangling cables to cope with. There'll likely be at least 1 m (3 ft) of earphone cable and the BTS comes with a 393.7 mm (15.5-in) two-pin detachable cable, but at least the latter allows the device to be worn like a pendant. Or there's a clip at the back to attach to a lapel or belt.

The Noble BTS is currently showing as up for pre-order, with a US$99 price tag. Shipping is due to start this week.

Product page: Noble BTS

3 comments
3 comments
windykites
Why not just plug your headphones into a small MP3 player, or phone? Most people have one or both of these.
DonGateley
Please give us a heads up and a review when they are actually delivering this thing. Thanks.
Spencer Salva
This isn't anything new, I got a similar device made by BlueAnt for under $35, and it even included headphones, though I never used them.