Why Your Earbuds’ Charging Case Is Ignoring You
▼ Summary
– Nothing’s Ear 3 earbuds feature a charging case with two microphones called “Super Mic,” activated by a prominent “Talk” button.
– Super Mic is designed for clearer calls, voice notes, or memos when used with Nothing phones, though it requires the buds to be out and connected.
– The feature does not work with default camera apps on iOS or Android but is supported by some third-party video apps like Blackmagic.
– The earbuds maintain a semi-transparent design with reinforced metal parts for durability and improved antenna performance.
– Priced at $179, the Ear 3 offers features like spatial audio and LDAC support, with preorders starting ahead of a September 25th release.
Modern wireless earbuds frequently emphasize the number of microphones packed into each bud, promising crisp audio and powerful noise cancellation. Nothing’s newly announced Ear 3 takes a different approach by shifting attention to the charging case, which now features two built-in microphones in a system the company calls “Super Mic.”
A clearly marked “Talk” button on the side of the case activates these microphones, allowing users to record voice memos, take calls, or interact with the AI-powered Essential Space on Nothing phones. One important limitation is that the earbuds must be removed from the case and connected to a phone for the feature to work. Nothing claims the case microphones deliver superior audio clarity compared to the buds themselves, though early testing hasn’t shown a dramatic improvement in call quality so far.
The Super Mic system seems tailor-made for content creation, especially with the rising popularity of handheld lavalier microphones on platforms like TikTok. Surprisingly, it doesn’t work with the default camera apps on iOS or Android. Instead, support is limited to certain third-party video applications, including Blackmagic.
Andrew Freshwater, Nothing’s head of global smart products marketing, notes that the issue lies with operating systems and app developers, not the hardware. “Most apps default to the phone’s built-in microphone and don’t allow users to choose an external input,” he explains. “We hope to see more flexibility in the future so Super Mic can reach its full potential.”
Beyond this unconventional microphone setup, the Ear 3 follows the design language of earlier Nothing models. The semi-transparent aesthetic returns in both black and white options, offering a glimpse of the internal components through clear plastic. Both the earbuds and the charging case now incorporate metal elements, which Nothing says improve durability and enhance antenna performance.
Sound is delivered through 12mm drivers, with support for spatial audio, LDAC Hi-Res audio, and a personalized equalizer based on an in-app hearing test. Battery life is respectable but not groundbreaking: up to five and a half hours with active noise cancellation enabled, and a total of 22 hours including the charging case. Wireless charging is also supported.
The naming strategy may cause some confusion. After the Ear 1 and Ear 2, last year’s model was simply called “Ear,” and now the lineup returns to numbered sequencing with the Ear 3. Priced at $179, the earbuds are available for preorder now ahead of their official release on September 25th.
(Source: The Verge)
