Ozlo’s Sleepbuds 2: The Next Generation of Sleep Earbuds
Ozlo, the sleep earbuds startup founded by former Bose engineers, has unveiled its latest device, the Sleepbuds 2. This updated version of its original product tackles key areas of improvement, including battery life, connectivity, and sound quality.
Source: techcrunch.com
The Sleepbuds 2 promises a range of upgrades, with the most notable being a 14-hour battery life, up from roughly 10 hours in the original model. The charging case can now store enough power for two to three nights of use per charge, and it adds a button that lets users play a sleep sound or snooze the alarm without reaching for their phone.
Source: techcrunch.com
Improvements in Bluetooth Connectivity
One of the biggest complaints from customers of the original Sleepbuds was the flaky Bluetooth connectivity. Although software updates improved it over time, Ozlo claims that the Sleepbuds 2 offer longer Bluetooth range, a more reliable connection, and dedicated pairing controls for faster setup. The improvements come from a redesigned antenna and extender, according to Ozlo.
Source: techcrunch.com
The company also claims that the Sleepbuds 2 have a more efficient audio system, with a built-in amplifier for better sound masking and improved sound quality. Personalized sound tuning is a new feature, optimizing audio for specific use cases such as Spoken Word, Airplane mode, and Focus mode, in addition to a Balanced mode.
Introducing the Sleep Shield
Another new feature in the Sleepbuds 2 is the Sleep Shield, which will block incoming calls, alerts, notifications, and Bluetooth audio streaming. This works if the user hasn’t already enabled their phone’s built-in sleep focus mode.
The Sleepbuds 2 also expand on Ozlo’s sleep insights, which now include more details around sleep patterns. The biometrics in the buds monitor breathing and movement, while the case monitors room conditions, such as the sound levels, light, and temperature. This can help wearers learn which sleep environments lead to deeper, more restorative sleep, helping them improve their sleep over time.
Ozlo’s Plans for the Future
Ozlo outlined its plans to become a broader platform for sleep data during an interview with TechCrunch at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. The company aims to use AI to better interpret users’ sleep patterns and is developing an AI “sleep buddy” with which users could chat about their sleep data.
The Sleepbuds 2 will retail for $279, a $30 increase from the original Sleepbuds, which were $249 last month with an MSRP of $349. To kick off the launch, Ozlo is offering a sleep mask and travel case with each purchase for a limited time.
The Sleepbuds 2 also ship with four pairs of silicone ear tips in different sizes, the charging case, and a USB-C cable. As an aside, it’s worth noting that the original Sleepbuds have more than 200,000 customers, and the new model is expected to build on the success of its predecessor.
