by 
After JBL unveiled the Tour Pro 2 at IFA 2022, TWS earbuds with displays on their case appear to be the next technology trend. Poly’s newly announced Voyager Free 60+ bucks the trend, with a built-in touchscreen display that lets you configure and control your listening experience, including the ability to mute your microphone. In true iPod fashion, the screen also lets you navigate through podcasts and playlists while showing album art and information about what’s currently playing.
Designer: Poly (HP)
The inclusion of a display seems like the natural progression for the TWS earbuds. The iPod Shuffle has never really been more popular in the iPod line, but the Nano and Touch have definitely held their own. The same would be true for the future of TWS earbuds. A screen helps you navigate content without taking out your phone. You can access features like playback controls, ANC and mute functions via the touchscreen display, while it constantly shows you information like song name, album art and other usable data like battery level. The more I think about it, the more sense it makes… although nothing’s really official until Apple does!
Although both the JBL Tour Pro 2 and the Poly Voyager Free have 60+ displays built into their cases, the main difference between them is their target audience. While the former is made for the music, the latter focuses on connectivity and work. Now that Poly is a subsidiary of HP, the TWS earbuds are aimed at the WFH audience, offering productivity and connectivity while still being a damn good pair of TWS earbuds for music, podcast listening, etc.
Dubbed the TWS earbuds for work and life, the Poly Voyager Free 60+ comes equipped with ANC and a three-microphone array to reduce noise on both the outgoing and receiving sides. Touch-sensitive surfaces on the earbuds themselves, as well as the touch display on the case, allow you to mute calls, adjust volume, connect to external sources, and switch devices without interrupting a call or your activity. The touchscreen on the body shows you information and allows you to intuitively control your playback experience, and the earbuds are certified to work with the latest meeting platforms, making even your IT department happy.
With the Voyager Free 60+ you can connect to two devices at the same time and switch between them at will. The touchscreen charging case also includes a 3.5mm audio jack, allowing you to connect an external source such as an in-flight entertainment system to your headphones and enjoy the movie wirelessly. The case doubles as a Bluetooth transmitter, eliminating the need for a dongle or other external device.
Each Poly Voyager Free 60+ comes with a touchscreen case, charging and aux cables, a USB transmitter (for your desktop), and interchangeable ear tips for ergonomic comfort. The earbuds aren’t available yet, although the expected price is $299.
