Anker claims to be working locally on its new earbuds and created an AI chip to compete with Apple and Sony.

Anker’s latest bespoke AI chip, has been unveiled. It brings on-device AI to IoT devices, mobile accessories, and audio items because it is made especially for tiny devices. Thus is smaller and more power-efficient than conventional chips because it employs a compute-in-memory design, the first of its type for neural-net audio processing.

Due to their small size and limited battery life, tiny gadgets like earphones typically use very simple AI. However, Anker asserts that these gadgets are capable of handling AI models that are more larger and more potent. Steven Yang, CEO of Anker, noted that most AI chips segregate compute and storage, which results in continuous data mobility as compared to conventional chips.

“Every AI chip built until now stores the model on one side and does the computation on the other. To think, the device has to carry all those parameters across, many times per second, every single inference. Thus puts the computation where the model already lives. The model never has to move again.”

The next Soundcore premium earbuds will feature the Thus chip for the first time. It is anticipated that the earbuds’ new chip will enhance call quality, more effectively isolate the user’s speech in noisy settings, and lessen background noise, all of which will lead to generally cleaner audio calls. 

Even in difficult situations, the earbuds’ support for larger neural networks, multiple microphones, and bone conduction sensors should provide clearer and more accurate audio. These earbuds seem to be positioned by Anker against high-end models like the Sony WF-1000XM6 and Apple AirPods Pro 3.

Anker is expected to reveal more details, including additional AI-powered features, at its Anker Day event on May 21.

Apple launched the AirPods Pro 3 last September with the H2 chip, which is also used in the AirPods Pro 2. Even though Apple has stuck with the same H2 chip, the company claims the AirPods Pro 3 bring noise cancellation up to twice as compared to the AirPods Pro 2. 

Along with features like Live Translation (now in beta) and an Apple Intelligence-powered Workout Buddy, there are also some new additions, like as an integrated heart rate sensor that can track your workouts. Additionally, battery life has increased, providing up to 8 hours of listening time when ANC is activated. According to sources, Apple is reportedly already developing its next-generation H3 processor, which may reduce latency and potentially enable futuristic features like infrared gesture controls.