50 Cent & SMS Audio Announce Deal To Build Intel-Powered Biometric Headphones

Video After The Jump

Last week during a discussion with Lee Hawkins of the Wall Street Journal, 50 Cent's business partner Brian Nohe said a major announcement would be forthcoming soon.

Today it's been revealed that SMS Audio will be building Intel-powered biometric headphones.

Intel CEO Brian Krzanich demonstrated the prototype designs for wearable devices including smart earbuds with biometric and fitness capabilities, an always-on smart headset that integrates with existing personal assistant technologies, and a smart wireless charging bowl at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show.

The SMS Audio-built product will be called the BioSport In-Ear. Like the prototype, the Bio-Sport In-Ear will always be on, eliminating the need for batteries. If your phone is charged, your headphones are ready to go, according to Gizmodo.

For the athlete on the move like New York Knicks player and SMS Audio partner Carmelo Anthony, the headphones offer unique capabilities.

BioSport In-Ear will be lightweight fitness headphones which send infrared and accelerometer sensor data back to your smartphone via the 3.5mm audio jack, where it's processed by software which keeps track of how fast your ticker's racing and presumably counts the steps you take. The prototype also included software that played music in accordance with those metrics to help you sustain a target heart rate. Exercise headphones like the BioSport In-Ear are only the most obvious wearable technology to bake into your 'buds. The earbud is a perfect place to capture biometric information because it's a product you've already got on you, and one that's wired to a device with a battery. No pesky wristable to strap on or charge.