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Phone brand Nothing, which has made a name for itself with gadgets with unique designs and seamless aesthetics, has introduced a new pair of wireless earbuds with a notable feature you don’t see on other earbuds. Dubbed Audio Snapshot, this feature is part of the Nothing Ear 3a wireless earbuds, now available in the US and select other markets.
Described as a “sound screenshot,” the feature essentially captures whatever you’re listening to at the moment, including music and podcasts. It can record up to a minute of audio, with 30 seconds playing before you trigger it.
This is possible thanks to the 32MB of flash storage built into the earbuds themselves. The Audio Snapshot feature can be triggered by a simple pinch of both earbuds at the same time, and recordings made with it are automatically synced to the Nothing X app on your phone. You can use the app to edit, replay, generate a transcription, or create shareable quotes from the recording. While headphones with built-in storage and even microSD card slots are nothing new, built-in storage is typically used to store music to play when you’re away from your phone or other Bluetooth source. However, Nothing is apparently a pioneer in adding the ability to record playback.
You can also record calls
One-minute recordings of podcasts, music playback, or your latest great idea aren’t the only things Nothing Ear 3a can capture. You can also use these wireless headphones to record calls and meetings, including your voice through the six built-in microphones, as well as that of the rest of the participants. This can be especially useful with phones that don’t officially support call recordings.
While the recording gesture remains the same as snapshot audio, you’re not limited to one minute and can capture audio for up to two hours, which isn’t bad considering the device’s small amount of onboard storage. Luckily, the earbuds will trigger a privacy notification alert when you record a call or meeting so others know they’re being recorded.
You can use the pinch gesture to stop recording or simply end the call. Like audio snapshots, call recordings are also automatically synced to the Nothing X app for edits, transcription, AI summary, and more.
Nothing Ear 3a costs $99
Beyond the interesting audio recording capabilities, the Ear 3a has all the advantages of a good pair of budget wireless headphones. These only cost $99, the same as their predecessor, the Nothing Ear(a). At this price, you get a 12mm dynamic driver, active noise cancellation, and support for static spatial audio. You can also adjust audio with a customizable EQ in the app, enable low latency mode for gaming if you’re using a Nothing phone, and connect with up to eight devices. Additionally, the LDAC codec is supported for high-resolution streaming.
In terms of battery backup, the Ear 3a claims to last up to six hours with ANC and 10 hours without ANC. The charging case brings the total available backup to 25 hours with ANC and 42 hours without. If you use LDAC streaming or use the headphones for calls, the battery backup will be reduced.
Although the company has kept its signature transparent aesthetic in Ear 3a, you can now choose from four color options, including a bright raspberry pink shade. There are also four sizes of ear tips included in the box to fit different ear sizes. Finally, the earbuds and case are IP54 rated for dust and water resistance.
