TL; DR
- Iyo One are Google-backed TWS earbuds that offer generative AI capabilities without necessarily needing a paired smartphone.
- You can pre-order the Wi-Fi-only model for $599, while the Wi-Fi + LTE variant (which works independently) costs $699.
- Iyo One's features include noise cancellation, conversation enhancement, training coaching, real-time language translation, immersive 360-degree audio and more.
AI has taken the world by storm and companies have been looking for ways to further integrate this technology into our daily lives. While the Humane AI Pin and Rabbit R1 have flopped, a Google-backed startup hopes to win customers by taking a different approach. Instead of inventing a brand new gadget that no one needs, Iyo bakes GenAI into a product category we already use. The Iyo One is powered by AI TWS earbuds which you can pre-order now for a starting price of $599.
The Iyo One will ship next winter (via TechCrunch), with several useful audio-oriented features. For starters, the company already sells a $1,650 in-ear studio reference monitor, and is using its reputation and expertise in the field to push Iyo One forward. Add Google's support and people's heavy reliance on TWS earbuds into the mix, and you have a solid foundation to start with.
Iyo does not sell an AI-only wearable. Instead, it offers a pair of premium earbuds with AI powers to complement them. So even if users are not dependent on the digital smarts, the device will continue to serve them when listening to music or podcasts. It's, ahem, not a useless gadget that could have been an app.
Notably, Iyo will not charge its users any subscription fees for using the bundled GenAI features. It's just a one-time payment of $599 or $699 for the Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + LTE model.
The first variant is expected to require a connected smartphone to function and has a battery life of 16 hours. On the other hand, the latter works independently but reduces battery life to only an hour and a half when connected to a mobile network. Mobile users must of course pay separately for a data subscription.
Moving on to the features, the Iyo One offers noise cancellation, call enhancement, immersive 360-degree audio, live translation, training coaching, and access to the company's “growing ecosystem of conversational applications.”
The Iyo One earbuds have an IP68 rating, a billet titanium design with three color options, in-ear silicone eartips and a hard case. You can now order a unit in advance by placing a deposit of $59 or $69 depending on the model you opt for. However, as companies like Nothing are already rolling out ChatGPT integrating with their more affordable earbuds, you might want to think twice before going ahead with this expensive purchase.