Beats has announced its first new headphones since being acquired by Apple in May, though it’s unlikely that Apple had much influence on the product.
The Beats Solo 2 Wireless headphones can connect to a phone or tablet from up to 30 feet away via Bluetooth. And when the 12-hour battery on the wireless connection runs out, users can plug in an included cable to keep listening.
According to Mashable, the Solo 2 Wireless headphones have the same sound drivers as the Solo 2 wired headphones, which launched in May. But while the wired version uses buttons on the cable to adjust volume, control music playback and answer phone calls, the Wireless headphones include those controls on the ear cups.
The Solo 2 Wireless headphones will cost $300 when they launch later this month, making for a $100 premium over the wired version. They’ll be available in black, blue, white and red, though Verizon has the red version locked up through the end of the year.
Why this matters: Given that Beats was developing these headphones before Apple’s acquisition went through, the launch is more of a sentimental milestone than a substantive one. Still, the companies have already started to cross-pollinate a bit, with Apple adding Beats Music to Apple TV and creating a special Beats by Dr. Dre section in its online store. It seems like a matter of time before some of Apple influence creeps into Beats’ products as well.
Author: Jared Newman
Jared Newman has been helping folks make sense of technology for over a decade, writing for PCWorld, TechHive, and elsewhere. He also publishes two newsletters, Advisorator for straightforward tech advice and Cord Cutter Weekly for saving money on TV service.