Carl Pei’s venture into transparent technology reaches new heights with the launch of the Ear (3), featuring an intriguing innovation that merges creativity with practicality. Rather than merely increasing the number of drivers within the earbuds, Nothing has ingeniously integrated two microphones into the charging case, dubbing this feature the “Super Mic.” Initially, it may appear to be a novelty act, yet it could very well mark a significant advancement in earbud functionality this year.
The Walkie-Talkie Revival
The Super Mic feature elevates the charging case, transforming it into a contemporary walkie-talkie (a nod to the nostalgia of Nextel Chirp phones). By simply pressing the designated TALK button, users activate the dual microphones, which leverage ambient-filtering technology to effectively isolate the speaker’s voice from background noise, minimizing distractions up to 95 dB.
For users of the Nothing phone, this innovation integrates flawlessly with Essential Space, facilitating the automatic transcription of voice notes and synchronizing them across multiple devices. Although current support is limited to select applications such as Zoom and Teams for call functionality, the groundwork is laid for expansive future capabilities.
Still Transparent
Beyond the intriguing Super Mic, the Ear (3) represents the most advanced iteration of Nothing’s design philosophy to date. The hallmark transparent aesthetic is enhanced by stylish metal accents, with the charging case constructed from 100% recycled aluminum, meticulously finished through 27 precision processes. A pioneering nano injection molding technique integrates metal and plastic without the need for adhesives.
The earbuds themselves are equipped with upgraded 12mm dynamic drivers featuring patterned diaphragms, which improve bass response by 4-6 dB and treble by as much as 4 dB. This configuration is complemented by real-time adaptive noise cancellation that adjusts every 600 milliseconds.
The Complete Package
Each earbud incorporates three directional microphones alongside a Shokz-like bone-conduction Voice Pick-up Unit that captures jaw vibrations for enhanced vocal clarity. This sophisticated system collaborates with AI-enhanced environmental noise cancellation, which has been trained on over 20 million hours of real-world audio. Battery longevity extends to 10 hours per bud (a notable increase of 90 minutes from its predecessor), allowing for a total of 38 hours when paired with the case.
Spec Sheet
- Model: Nothing Ear (3)
- Drivers: 12mm dynamic with patterned diaphragm
- Battery Life: 10 hours (buds only), 38 hours total with case
- Noise Cancellation: Up to 45 dB adaptive ANC
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4 with LDAC Hi-Res support
- Water Resistance: IP54
- Colors: Black and white
Pricing & Availability
The Nothing Ear (3) is set to be available worldwide at a price point of $179, starting September 25, with pre-orders currently accessible via Nothing’s official website and various retail partners.
Recap
The launch of the Nothing Ear (3) earbuds presents an innovative “Super Mic” system embedded in the charging case, enhancing the clarity of calls and voice notes. The overall design has been refined with metal accents and improved audio capabilities.
Source link: Hiconsumption.com.
