Online retail and technological behemoth, Amazon is reportedly taking on Apple AirPods with its first true wireless earbuds integrated with Alexa, tipped to launch by the end of 2019.
Bloomberg reports Amazon’s hardware division, Lab126, is currently working on the retail company’s first Alexa wearable.
Details are limited, but sources say the Amazon version will be similar to AirPods in relation to design and features, however, the Alexa wearables are tipped to offer a much better audio quality than the Apple earbuds.
According to the report, the true wireless earbuds will feature physical gesture controls for answering/ending calls and music playback in addition to voice control via Alexa.
Reportedly, the Alexa earbuds will ship with a charging case that itself charges via a USB cable, like the majority of true wireless earbuds on the market.
True wireless earbuds are becoming increasingly popular so it follows that Amazon is emulating one of the most popular versions available today.
Bloomberg reports the retail giant has faced a number of delays in the development of the earbuds but has been actively sourcing suppliers and manufacturing partners in recent months.
Pricing has not been released, but as Amazon generally undercuts competition and the AirPods are priced from A$249 with charging case.
Bloomberg sources say that the retail giant may release the earbuds in the second half of 2019, likely in an event similar to its September 2018 showcase where it revealed a range of Alexa-enabled appliances.
