TikTok Creators Release "Talking" Headphones

ByteDance, the developer of the TikTok app, has released its first physical product — open-type headphones called Ola Friend. They are unique because they function as a voice assistant and support AI functions.

For example, a user can ask the headphones to tell them more about the artist of the song currently playing, play a specific music genre, tell them about a place they are currently in, or tell them about a stranger they are talking to. There is also a real-time translation feature, allowing a person to speak with a foreigner and hear their speech in real-time.

The AI functions are powered by the Doubao neural network. This is a proprietary development by ByteDance, which is positioned as a Chinese alternative to ChatGPT. To make the chatbot in the headphones work, you need to download the Doubao app on your smartphone.

Ola Friend have a unique shape. The headset cases hug the ears, preventing them from falling off during exercise or intense walking. One headphone weighs only 6.6 grams, and the plastic case is available in four neutral colors: gray, white, black, and light purple. Other features include: dual microphones, active noise cancellation support, and a battery life of up to 10 hours without charging.

Price and Availability

The Ola Friend headphones will be available for purchase on October 17th. Currently, they are only available in China. They can be purchased on Tmall marketplaces from Alibaba and JD.com. There is no information about their release on the global market. The price is 1199 yuan (~16,000 rubles).

Previously, the famous Nothing company released its first open-type headphones. The Ear (open) model has a transparent case and supports ChatGPT.