Pine64’s wireless earbuds with programmable firmware were no joke
Pine64 will launch wireless earphones with user-customizable firmware. In addition, they have features that are sought after by modern in-ears: touch control, three microphones and noise cancellation.
The so-called PineBuds were originally unveiled on April 1but in Pine64’s April update post keep it up that the PineBuds are real: ‘prototype exists and works’, the developers write there. There is no release date for the earphones yet; first, Pine64 wants to release the PineSound developer board to developers. It has largely the same hardware as the PineBuds, but is easier to experiment with. When the developers are ready, Pine64 will release the PineBuds.
The PineSound has the Bestechnic BES2300 audio chip on board and offers bluetooth 5.0, dual coaxial audio connections, optical audio in and out, a 3.5mm audio jack connection, balanced 4.4mm and 2.5mm jacks, an SMA connector, USB c and ports for touch input and LCD output. Examples of firmware modifications that users can make are adjusting the eq, but also more drastic things like converting the PineBuds to a hearing aid.
Pine64 emphasizes that the success of the product also depends on the community. “The approach we will be taking is in a way very similar to how we handled the PineTime and the Pinecil. This means that success will largely depend on whether a community grows around the platform. As we did with PineTime, “We will allow the development community to set the course of the PineSound project. All key decisions such as transition from development to production, production itself, launching sales and so on are coordinated and discussed with the community.” The tech company also states that a shortcoming in this area contributed to the PineCube camera was not a success.
Pine64’s April Update also includes new information about Pine64’s European arm, the upcoming QuartzPro64 developer board, and the PinePhone and PinePhone Pro. In addition, the PinePod, a portable audio player, is also a real upcoming product, although Pine64 has not announced anything about it yet.