Sony has championed the LinkBuds’ lightweight and compact form factor and their ability to enable you to control your audio with simple tap gestures. Sony has also advised that the LinkBuds are made from recycled plastic and other materials. • Read more: Best headphones (opens in new tab) Sony has worked with various partners to devise unique applications for the LinkBuds. Jarnail Chudge, an innovation architect at Microsoft, described how the LinkBuds will integrate with Microsoft’s Soundscape (opens in new tab) platform. Soundscape is a navigation app that uses spatial audio to tell the user about nearby places, roads and intersections. Chudge explained how the wearers of Sony’s new LinkBuds can experience a richer picture of the space around them with 3D sound callouts, without blocking the ambient sound around them. This could prove especially beneficial to people with limited vision and hearing. The launch also invited games developers such as Niantec to talk about the potential for Link Buds to support augmented reality gaming spaces. Meanwhile, music streaming giant Spotify discussed its collaboration with Sony to develop Spotify Tap, which provides quick and seamless access to Spotify with a simple tap. Sony’s Link Buds are available now at Sony (opens in new tab), starting at $179.99 in dark gray or white. Read more Best cell phone provider (opens in new tab) Best cordless phones (opens in new tab) Best blu-ray players (opens in new tab)
