Sony's first clip-on open earbuds have a quiet mode so others can't listen in

"Sony is the latest company to announce a pair of open-style wireless earbuds that clip onto the back of your ear instead of resting inside it. The new Sony LinkBuds Clip Open earbuds are similar to the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, JVC's Nearphones, and Shokz' OpenDots One with a design that doesn't block the ear canal so you can hear your environment, or conversations with people, alongside whatever you're streaming from your phone."

"Battery life is rated at up to 37 hours - nine on their own plus an additional 28 hours from the included case - while a brief three-minute charge provides up to an hour of listening when they're dead. There's a 10-band EQ that can be used to adjust the LinkBuds Clip Open's sound profile through Sony's Sound Connect mobile app, plus three sound mode presets that can be accessed by tapping the headphones."

"The C-shaped design of the LinkBuds Clip Open doesn't put any pressure on the inner ear, potentially making the earbuds comfortable to wear for longer periods. They'll also fit a wider variety of ear sizes and shapes, and Sony includes "fitting cushions" that can be attached to make them feel as comfortable and secure as possible. If you've struggled to get traditional earbuds to stay in your ears, these could be an alternative worth considering."

The LinkBuds Clip Open clip behind the ear and leave the ear canal open so ambient sound and conversations remain audible alongside streamed audio. The C-shaped design reduces inner-ear pressure and includes attachable fitting cushions to improve comfort and fit across different ear shapes. Battery life totals up to 37 hours—nine hours per charge plus 28 hours from the case—and a three-minute quick charge yields about one hour of listening. A 10-band EQ is available in Sony's Sound Connect app, and three tap-accessible sound modes offer standard, voice boost, and sound leakage reduction. The earbuds start at $229.99 and come in multiple colors, positioning them between higher- and lower-priced competitors.

Read at The Verge