Valencell is helping to power the biometric capabilities of new wireless earbuds from Jabra. The Jabra Elite Sport earbuds were launched at this week’s IFA 2016 trade show in Berlin.
Not only are the new earbuds wireless, but they also come equipped with sophisticated biometrics: Using Valencell’s PerformTek technology, they can track heart rate, VO₂ max level, and more. It’s a continuation of technological collaboration first embarked upon by the companies with the Jabra Sport Pulse, to which Jabra recently launched two sequel devices called the Jabra Sport Pulse Special Edition and the Jabra Sport Coach Special Edition.
Of course, with the biometric wearables market heating up, Jabra’s new earbuds will face some stiff competition. Samsung, for example, recently announced its own wireless earbuds featuring similar biometric technology, which the OEM licensed from Valencell earlier this year. As Valencell President Dr. Steven LeBoeuf commented in a statement, “We are starting to see more wireless earbuds on the market as part of a larger trend to provide end-users with wearables and hearables in form factors that fit their lifestyles.”
For Jabra’s part, its Elite Sport earbuds will work with its Jabra Sport Life app, which offers athletic coaching via a virtual assistant speaking directly into the user’s ear. The sport-centric focus should help the company to differentiate its offerings from those of Samsung, which appears to be aiming at a general consumer audience with its Gear IconX earbuds.
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