50 Cent’s New Headphones Read Your Heart Rate
Dr. Dre isn’t the only rapper revolutionizing the headphone market. Rapper/actor/businessman Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and SMS Audio have partnered with Intel to launch the SMS Audio BioSport In-Ear Headphones. These new headphones take 50 Cent’s recently launched SMS Audio Sport collection and add a custom heart monitor that collects fitness data — without forcing the user to wear a bracelet, smartwatch, or chest or arm strap.
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The in-ear headphones will have a tangle-free cord with a built-in microphone. SMS claims that the patented ear-hook design will deliver a comfortable fit and allow the sensors to do their work. The integrated optical sensor not only takes your heart rate during exercise, but during states of relaxation as well. When you’re working out, the sensors work to cancel out noise caused by rigorous movement.
The Audio BioSports headphones are compatible with RunKeeper, funneling all your pertinent fitness information such as heart rate, pace, distance and calorie burn into the app. From there, fitness buffs can track their progress and create custom regimens. RunKeeper is currently the only app that will work with the headphones, but Intel and SMS Audio promise additional support down the line.
While integrating a biometric sensor into a set of headphones is an impressive feat, the most innovative thing about the SMS Audio BioSports is its power source. Instead of relying on batteries that constantly have to be replaced or charged, the in-ears are powered via the 3.5 mm gold-plated jacks found on most smartphones and audio players.
The SMS Audio BioSport In-Ear Headphones are set to launch sometime in the last few months of the year. Neither company has announced an exact price, but said they are targeting a sub-$150 price point.
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