Microsoft Unveils Surface Headphones

Microsoft now makes headphones. Yep.

The company just unveiled the Surface Headphones, a premium headphone that will be available later this year. The device comes with 4 beam-forming microphones that let you interact with Cortana, which is built into the headphones. The device offers adjustable noise cancellation, and you can easily control that using the dial on the headphones.

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What’s more, the device comes with automatic play/pause which means it will automatically pause/play the music as you take it off or put it on. It’s pretty much like Apple’s AirPods.

It’s chargeable through USB-C, which, of course, is odd as none of Microsoft’s new Surface devices come with a Type-C port. Either way, the device will be available later this year, starting at $349.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFe_ZYtfsZg

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Conversation 31 comments

  • BigM72

    02 October, 2018 - 5:13 pm

    <p>I have no idea who will buy these</p>

    • mattbg

      Premium Member
      02 October, 2018 - 5:31 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#337707">In reply to BigM72:</a></em></blockquote><p>People who want to talk to Cortana?</p>

    • jrswarr

      Premium Member
      02 October, 2018 - 6:20 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#337707">In reply to BigM72:</a></em></blockquote><p>Jesus – you efn idiot – please start buying Apple stuff as it seeems that MS can't do anything right. Man I grow tired of the efn critics,</p>

    • Patrick3D

      03 October, 2018 - 12:28 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#337707">In reply to BigM72:</a></em></blockquote><p>Software developers forced to work in open floor plan office environments. Cubicle dwellers with neighbors going through bitter divorces that can't go 30 minutes without calling someone to bitch about how lazy their deadbeat husband and helpless kids are. ASK ME HOW I KNOW!</p>

  • eeisner

    Premium Member
    02 October, 2018 - 5:19 pm

    <p>Putting USB-C on these but not on the other Surface products is as questionable as Apple including lightning headphones and no headphone jack on the iphone but putting a headphone jack on laptops without a lightning port… simple things shouldn't be an afterthought in hardware design. </p>

    • RonH

      Premium Member
      02 October, 2018 - 11:08 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#337720">In reply to eeisner:</a></em></blockquote><p>It is just a port. Most phones are USB C now sow we should all have cables to charge these with. </p>

  • StevenLayton

    02 October, 2018 - 5:19 pm

    <p>Dumb question. Starting at £349? What does it go up to, and for what features?</p>

  • lezmaka

    Premium Member
    02 October, 2018 - 5:42 pm

    <p>No mention if these come in black, which makes as much sense (to Microsoft) as including USB-C. Everything else announced today doesn't have USB-C and is available in black.</p>

  • m_p_w_84

    02 October, 2018 - 5:43 pm

    <p>I was expecting Apple apple to make some noise cancellers to go with their pods. It’s great MS has beat them to it. But these look a bit nerdy for me.</p>

    • rbgaynor

      02 October, 2018 - 7:52 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#337738">In reply to m_p_w_84:</a></em></blockquote><p>Apple already has their <strong>"</strong>Beats Studio 3" headphones with noise cancelling.</p>

  • Bats

    02 October, 2018 - 6:23 pm

    <p>LOL…who the h*ll is going to buy these at $349 (not including tax)? It's an automatic loser, because it's priced so high. For $349, you can buy a headset from a premium brand like B&amp;O or Bose. OMG,…it even has the Microsoft logo (the 4 squares) on it. That's like "nerd alert." LOL…and Cortana, huh? Like the Harmon Kardon, this one is a loser. I can't wait til Thurrott calls these headsets "GORGEOUS!" Surprised Medhi hasn't done so, yet. For all those Microsoft fans out there who want to buy this, wait til December 26th. The price will probably drop to $149 through a seller after the Christmans season, when inventory has to be moved out. </p>

    • Rob_Wade

      04 October, 2018 - 10:43 am

      <blockquote><a href="#337753"><em>In reply to Bats:</em></a><em> I don't understand why anyone would spend $350 for ANY headphones, I don't care WHO makes them.</em></blockquote><p><br></p>

      • ym73

        04 October, 2018 - 8:36 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#347521">In reply to Rob_Wade:</a></em></blockquote><p>I kind of understand this price for professionals. However, most people who buy these expensive headphones don't have the ear to differentiate it from cheap headphones. I think they view it more like a status symbol. Problem is that Microsoft doesn't have the brand image to pull off luxury accessories. </p>

  • will

    Premium Member
    02 October, 2018 - 6:55 pm

    <p>I feel like this might go down the road of the Invoke? It will be a great sounding headphone but most people might look to something more established like Sony or Bose? Guess we will see once the holiday hits this year.</p><p><br></p><p>My question is will these work with Xbox? If so that could be a great accessory with mics, great sound, and noise cancelling.</p>

  • bluvg

    02 October, 2018 - 6:56 pm

    <p>Why?</p>

  • cryogenicallyfrozen

    02 October, 2018 - 7:26 pm

    <p>Don’t forget they won’t last more than 6 months before they literally start peeling apart (Microsoft Band anyone?)</p>

    • dontbe evil

      03 October, 2018 - 5:14 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#337807">In reply to cryogenicallyfrozen:</a></em></blockquote><p>did you already try them?</p>

  • locust infested orchard inc

    02 October, 2018 - 7:28 pm

    <p>I thought I would never utter or write the following words, but it appears Microsoft are really pushing to create a new class of idol worshippers, the mSheep.</p><p><br></p><p>In today's World of slick marketing aimed at persuading the naïve to latch onto a particular brand, it fairly clear why Microsoft sought to release headphones with the all-important Microsoft logo.</p><p><br></p><p>The question is, how many mSheep will be penned in by this ploy ?</p>

    • Jackwagon

      Premium Member
      02 October, 2018 - 9:44 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#337808">In reply to locust infested orchard inc:</a></em></blockquote><p>Come now, they wouldn't call them mSheep; surely Windrones would roll off the tongue better.</p>

      • locust infested orchard inc

        03 October, 2018 - 6:39 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#338608">In reply to Jackwagon:</a></em></blockquote><p>Windrones – yes indeed. I hadn't come across this slur before, but it is listed at UrbanDictionary.com.</p><p><br></p><p>The thing with 'Windrones', it is appropriate only when in discussion with Windows psycofanatics, e.g., those who still insist on remaining with WinXP.</p><p><br></p><p>Regarding using the derogatory term 'Windrones' for Microsoft products, well it is inappropriate, as it is applicable only to a subset of Microsoft users (WinXP users), and not users of Microsoft products as a whole, hence the coinage of the term, mSheep.</p><p><br></p><p>It ought to be noted that the term mSheep can only be used in very rare instances, for Microsoft products are for the most part of significance in mass productivity. mSheep is therefore reserved to isolated incidence, such as someone who buys these Surface Headphones, with the intent to flaunt the Microsoft logo, as do iSheep frolicking around with their part-bitten fruit logo emblazoned on their iPharce.</p>

    • CaedenV

      03 October, 2018 - 8:31 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#337808">In reply to locust infested orchard inc:</a></em></blockquote><p>Well, if it is like their other hardware accessories it will be the best thing since sliced bread, and they will put it on a fire sale and pretend that it never existed 6 months from now.</p>

  • Daekar

    02 October, 2018 - 8:25 pm

    <p>I can see really excellent microphones and clear calls being the killer app on these. Cortana isn't useful enough to be the big selling point, but as long as their noise cancellation and sound quality are in the Bose or Sony range, they could sell at this price point.</p>

  • justoncheney

    02 October, 2018 - 9:16 pm

    <p>When I look at the product page, it says the Surface Studio 2 has a USB-C port. I agree it's weird that the Surface Pro 6 and Surface Laptop 2 don't have USB-C, but we now have the Surface Studio 2, Surface Go, Surface Book 2, and Surface Headphones all with USB-C.</p>

  • SenorGravy

    02 October, 2018 - 9:27 pm

    <blockquote><a href="#337810"><em>In reply to jboman32768:</em></a><em> Future headline next year: MICROSOFT CANCELS SURFACE HEADPHONES</em></blockquote><p><br></p>

  • Jhambi

    02 October, 2018 - 11:21 pm

    <p>That is the most expensive expensive headset in the world! and it doesn't appeal to business customers because it doesn't have a keyboard!</p>

    • eccelex

      03 October, 2018 - 5:04 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#339239">In reply to Jhambi:</a></em></blockquote><p>I does appreciate this irony</p>

  • IanYates82

    Premium Member
    03 October, 2018 - 5:27 am

    <p>So is cortana built in, or do you need to be paired to a phone or pc to have that work? I suspect the latter, although I guess it could be the former if they use the tech from the invoke… In that case these things would have WiFi too, right? </p>

  • daniilxbykov

    03 October, 2018 - 12:03 pm

    <p>The idea of noise suppression is remarkable! Cortana doesn't seem to have a competitive advantage. Blockchain give an opportunity to launch any software on any device including the software for voice assistants. Like, for example SOVA does. Though they still develop their platform, they sound promising</p>

  • Patrick3D

    03 October, 2018 - 12:24 pm

    <p>For $349 those better not be made out of plastic.</p>

  • chrisrut

    Premium Member
    03 October, 2018 - 2:11 pm

    <p>Wait; there's something wrong with that picture.</p><p>It charges via USB-C – which none of the devices with which it was co-introduced support?</p><p>That's just nutty… Since a black Surface Book 3 was missing from the lineup, perhaps that and other unannounced goodies bristling with USB-C goodness sit in the wings waiting for some magic moment when it all comes together… </p><p>Right. And beware the flying pigs.</p>

  • roastedwookie

    04 October, 2018 - 3:35 am

    <p>Bets starting: how long until Nadella decides the world does not need another headphone maker? :))</p><p>Cortana powered headphones…meh Looking at the simply mediocre build quality of Band 1 and 2, I wonder about these. People say they sound great though, but at 350…there are cheaper option at stunning quality, and without a crappy assistant.</p>

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