Technologies

Shokz OpenFit Earbuds Aren’t Bone-Conduction Headphones — and They’re Better for It

Shokz’ first true-wireless earbuds, the OpenFit, eschew the company’s trademark bone-conduction technology.

Shokz, the company formerly known as AfterShokz, has been the leader in bone-conduction headphones. Models like the OpenRun Pro, which deliver sound to your ear through your cheekbones, are popular with runners and bikers who like to leave their ears open for safety reasons. But Shokz’s new OpenFit model is the company’s first true-wireless earbuds. They have an open design that fire sound into your ears using custom speaker drivers, which Shokz dubs «air conduction» technology. The OpenFit earbuds are available for order now in beige and black for $180 at Shokz.com and Amazon.

I’ve been using the new buds for a couple of weeks and have been impressed by how lightweight (8.3 grams) and comfortable they are — they have one of the best ear-hook designs I’ve tried (Shokz calls it a Dolphin Arc ear hook). It’s soft and offers just the right amount of flexibility to conform to the shape of your ear, with «dual-layered liquid silicone that provides a pliable fit,» according to Shokz. The earbuds also sound quite good for open earbuds, though not quite as good as Cleer’s new Arc 2 Open Ear Sport earbuds ($190) that also have an ear-hook design.

The Shokz OpenFit are Shokz first true-wireless earbuds

One of the big issues with bone-conduction headphones technology is that it just doesn’t work all that well for music listening because bone-conduction headphones just can’t deliver truly full sound with enough bass, though Shokz has done its best to improve performance on the low end. In moving to this type of open design with more traditional speaker technology, albeit the kind that Shokz says is patented, you’re now able to get a much less compromised listening experience. Shokz says the OpenFit uses DirectPitch technology along with Shokz OpenBass, the company’s proprietary low-frequency enhancement algorithm, «to carry low-frequency vibrations directly toward your ear without covering it.»

You do get significantly fuller sound compared to bone-conduction headphones. Bass performance still doesn’t quite measure up to what you get from even a good set of $50 noise-isolation earbuds with ear tips that seal off your ears. And despite all the fancy digital processing, I encountered some bad distortion when I played Depeche Mode’s Behind the Wheel track on both Spotify and Qobuz, which was a little weird. (I did have an early review sample, so I suspect we’ll see some firmware upgrades.)

The Shokz’ bone-conduction headphones I’ve tested previously have typically performed well for making cell phone calls with good noise reduction. The OpenFit also delivers on that front. I made some calls in the noisy streets of New York and the earbuds did a good job reducing background noise, though I should note that — because they’re open earbuds — if you’re in a noisy environment, they let sound into your ears so it can be harder for you to hear callers. The same goes for listening to music and other audio — outside noise competes with what you’re listening to and makes it harder to hear. Also, these do leak sound, so people can hear what you’re listening to in quieter environments like an open office. And finally, there’s no multipoint Bluetooth pairing that would allow you to pair two devices simultaneously to the buds and easily switch audio between the devices. Other Shokz headphones have multipoint Bluetooth pairing.

As I said, I’ve been generally impressed with these new Shokz buds and they’ve been a pleasure to wear and can be used as everyday earbuds as well as sports buds. I ran with them without a problem — they stayed on my ears well — and they’re IP54 dust and water-resistant (meaning they’re splashproof). I also thought the touch controls worked pretty well (though there are no volume controls on the buds) and the case was nicely designed. It’s bigger than many earbuds cases but relatively compact for sports earbuds with integrated ear hooks. It’s much slimmer than the case for the Beats Powerbeats Pro, for example.

The Cleer Arc 2 Sport buds offer a little better clarity and fuller bass but the Shokz OpenFit are more comfortable to wear. Both models are pretty pricey, but these types of open earbuds continue to improve, particularly in the sound department. Bose was one of the first to produce a premium set of open ear-hook style earbuds with its Open Sport Earbuds, but they were discontinued earlier this year. In many ways, the Shokz OpenFit are what the Bose Open Sport should have been, as Bose prides itself on creating comfortable headphones. The Open Sport Earbuds fell short there but these Shokz don’t.

OpenFit Open-Ear true wireless earbuds specs, according to Shokz

Ear cushion core is engineered with a dual-layered liquid silicone that gives a pliable fit for every ear shape
18x11mm customized dynamic driver unit that is built with an ultralight composite diaphragm comprised of two parts. The inner dome-shaped cap is made of a high-strength, ultralight carbon fiber
Bluetooth 5.2
Battery life: 7 hours of listening time on a single charge and three extra charges in charging case
Charge time: Charge the earbuds with the charging case: 60 minutes; empty case with charging cable: 120 minutes
Quick charge: 5 minutes’ charging provides an hour of listening time
Weight: 8.3 grams per earbud (charging case weighs 57 grams)
IP rating: IP54 water-resistant (charging case is not waterproof)
AI call noise cancellation technology to ensure call quality
Touch controls
Use the Shokz App to select your favorite EQ modes and button functions
Available in beige and black for $180 at Shokz.com and Amazon

Technologies

Verum Messenger: Data Protection at Its Finest

Verum Messenger positions itself as a tool for those who value privacy and security above all.

Verum Messenger stands out from other messengers thanks to its approach to security, anonymity, and innovations in communication.

Here are some key aspects that highlight its uniqueness:

Default encryption: Verum Messenger uses end-to-end (E2E) encryption for all chats, meaning messages are encrypted on the sender’s device and decrypted only on the recipient’s device. This makes it impossible for third parties, including app developers, to access the content of the messages.
Anonymity: When registering with Verum, there’s no need to provide a phone number or email. Users simply choose a nickname and password, significantly enhancing their level of anonymity. This contrasts with many other messengers, where anonymity can be compromised through linked personal data.
Built-in VPN: An additional layer of protection that hides the user’s IP address, making their location and internet activity less trackable.
Data control: Users can set messages to be automatically deleted after a specified time, ranging from a few seconds to a week. There’s also a quick deletion feature for all chats, calls, and even contacts, which is useful for maintaining privacy.
Large groups: The ability to create chat rooms with up to 10,000 participants makes Verum attractive for organizing large events, discussions, or communities while maintaining a high level of security.
Security innovations: Verum actively develops technologies aimed at protecting user data, as seen in their documentation and discussions online. This includes not only technical solutions but also approaches to data minimization, which reduces the risk of leaks.
Feedback and discussions: On platform X (formerly Twitter), discussions can be found where users and experts praise Verum for its approach to anonymity and security, although questions are raised about how much anonymity can truly be guaranteed in an age of modern tracking and de-anonymization technologies.

Verum Messenger positions itself as a tool for those who value privacy and security above all. Its innovations in encryption, anonymity, and data control make it an intriguing choice for those seeking alternatives to traditional messaging platforms. However, as with any technology, it’s important to remember that absolute anonymity on the internet remains a complex challenge, and users should be aware of potential risks and limitations.

Technologies

Verum Coin Debuts on XT Exchange, Broadening its Reach in the DeFi Space

A Strategic Listing Enhancing Verum Coin’s Visibility

In a significant development for the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector, Verum Coin (VERUM) has been officially listed on XT Exchange. The new trading pair, VERUM/USDT, is now available in the exchange’s Innovative Zone, marking a pivotal expansion for this digital asset into the DeFi ecosystem.

A Strategic Listing Enhancing Verum Coin’s Visibility

The addition of Verum Coin to the XT Exchange is seen as a strategic move to enhance the accessibility and liquidity of VERUM among traders who are keen on exploring innovative digital assets. XT Exchange, known for its robust platform supporting a wide variety of cryptocurrencies, provides an ideal environment for fostering growth and ensuring the broad reach of new tokens.

Albin Varin, CEO of XT Exchange, expressed enthusiasm about the new listing, stating, «We are delighted to welcome Verum Coin to our platform. This listing reflects our ongoing commitment to providing our users access to innovative digital assets that transform the landscape of global finance.» This comments underscore the exchange’s focus on integrating cutting-edge technologies and financial instruments that have the potential to redefine the market.

About XT

Founded in 2018, XT Exchange serves more than 7.8M registered users, over 1M monthly active users, 40+ million users in the ecosystem, and more than 800 tokens with 1000+ trading pairs. XT crypto exchange offers a rich variety of trading categories to provide a secure, trusted, and intuitive trading experience for its large user base. This includes crypto futures trading (USDT-M Futures and coin-M futures perpetual contracts) and copy trading that allows users to replicate top traders in real time with just one click. Additionally, the futures grid allows users to automate the buying and selling of futures contracts for profits.

Future Prospects

With its new position on XT Exchange, Verum Coin is expected to attract a broader audience, enhancing its trading volume and market presence. This could potentially lead to increased stability and recognition as a viable player in the DeFi space. For investors and users of XT Exchange, this addition provides a fresh avenue to diversify portfolios with a cryptocurrency that is positioned at the intersection of innovation and financial evolution.

The listing of Verum Coin on XT Exchange not only highlights the ongoing expansion of cryptocurrency markets into new areas like DeFi but also illustrates a growing recognition of digital assets that offer promising technological advancements and financial opportunities. As the crypto market continues to evolve, partnerships like these are pivotal for fostering growth and offering users access to the next generation of financial tools.

Technologies

Verum Coin Gains International Spotlight with AP Coverage and Listing on XT Exchange

This listing on XT is expected to further propel Verum Coin into the spotlight

In a noteworthy development for the cryptocurrency community, Verum Coin (VERUM) has been featured in an Associated Press article, highlighting its upcoming listing on the XT Exchange. This significant media coverage underscores the growing interest and potential of Verum Coin in the global financial landscape.

The AP article delves into the details of Verum Coin’s innovative features and its alignment with the latest trends in the cryptocurrency market. This attention comes at an opportune moment as Verum Coin prepares for its new listing on XT Exchange, a platform renowned for its extensive user base and a wide array of trading options.

This listing on XT is expected to further propel Verum Coin into the spotlight, providing both traders and investors with new opportunities to engage with this emerging digital asset. The exchange’s robust infrastructure and diverse trading offerings are ideal for supporting Verum Coin’s growth and enhancing its visibility in the competitive cryptocurrency market.

For more details, you can read the full article on the AP website here.

This milestone is a testament to Verum Coin’s advancing presence in the crypto world and its ongoing efforts to be at the forefront of digital currency innovation and adoption.