Skullcandy Inc., makers of affordable stereo headphones and true wireless earbuds, announced a partnership with Bragi, inventor and largest intellectual property owner of true wireless headphones. With Bragi’s software platform featuring embedded AI, Skullcandy now has the ability to create truly smart, future-proof audio products.
“Skullcandy has earned our market-leading position due to a keen obsession with our consumer’s adventurous uses,” says 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.”
A key component of the partnership is the capability to go hands-free with simple voice commands. Users will be able to start and control their media player and accept or reject incoming calls with or without internet. Skullcandy offers direct access to any native voice assistant for seamless functionality for all its users, regardless of their phone operating system.
“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,” says 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.
The all-new Skullcandy platform is made up of co-developed, system-on-a-chip (SoC) technology with updatable firmware. Skullcandy earbuds can receive over-the-air updates as new features become available. Users can also update their audio products through the Skullcandy App for complete customizability.
“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,” says 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.”
The Skullcandy technology platform will launch across three new true wireless products later this year. Other exciting features to look forward to will be the ability to share audio with others nearby via compatible Skullcandy audio products, press-of-a-button photos directly on the earbud, and verbal updates on remaining battery life.
Jessica is the Chief Digital Editor for CT Lab Global Media, the North American platform for IFA Berlin.
