Intel and rapper 50cent have teamed up to announce a new set of earphones that can measure the wearers’ heartbeat, syncing the data with fitness tracking apps. An optical sensor is used by BioSport In-Ear headphones to monitor heart rate and send that information down the headphone cable to a bespoke app running on a smartphone.
They were announced by 50 Cent’s company SMS Audio on Friday, and are based on Intel’s smart earphone design unveiled at the Consumer Electronics show in January.
“With SMS Audio, we will bring smart headphones to market that eliminate the inconvenience of add-on devices with an integrated, one-device fitness accessory offering high-end style and premier sound quality for an exceptional fitness experience,” said Michael Bell, general manager of the new devices group at Intel.
With no chest strap or watch needed, the earphones will allow runners and other athletes to track their heart rate throughout a run or workout session without having to wear a wrist or chest heart-rate monitor. The earphones require no battery or power, and are water resistant.
“The wearable technology collaboration between Intel and SMS Audio elevates our capability to bring smart exercise to consumers,” said Brian Nohe, president of SMS Audio.
The headphones will be available in the fourth quarter of 2014, with pricing yet to be announced.
SMS Audio joins LG and other technology companies who have already launched heart-beat rate monitoring earphones.
The launch is part of Intel’s push into wearable technology, which it announced was to be a key part of its business at CES in January, with reference designs and new technologies for manufacturers to use to create new wearable products like the earphones.
