JBL should put a microSD card reader into that case and make it a small portable MP3 player

I think a major use of this feature could be the elimination of a companion app. I find almost every headphone companion app is really buggy and annoying to connect. This case could allow for a much more easy connection process to your phone while managing all your settings and profiles directly on the audio hardware.

I don't see why they don't go all in and start making full blown mp3 players like this. It's great to have music that isn't on your phone.

That's a crazy idea. Is good to see companies thinking outside the box and bringing in new features like these.

Couldn't care about the notifications. However it's interesting to me to put controls on the case, especially for those times you have your phone in a bag and have a hard time with the gestures. But I'd rather have physical buttons / switches (so you could control it blindly too) and at that point you don't need the screen anymore, just labels and indicator leds.

I think having a eq built in to the case would be great.

My immediate thought was, "this is silly", but I thought about. It's worth it if this is replacing an app I would have to download. It's really annoying that just to use my galaxy buds I have to download another app.

I think even with my phone in my pocket, this is shortcutting many steps, I don’t have to pull out my phone, I don’t have to unlock, go to accompanying app and control from there. Having this screen is actually really good. Shocked Apple hasn’t stolen this idea 😋

Chances of them sticking an entire os driven ui there is low. The photos show toggle switches that require animation. Either it's going to be a poor Java ui or it might be an lcd template based display like those on cheap hotspots.

I think it's really cool. On my nothing's buds I find it impossible to swipe for volume, and I sometimes don't know which sound mode I'm on, and I end up changing from transparency mode all the way back to transparency mode lol. It takes forever, sometimes it takes a while to load. I also like to stand out, so I really like this idea if they can implement it well. maybe they can add more features to make it really worth it. Jeez, I wrote an entire essay

I’d love some EQ controls on my earbuds, and the case could be a good place for that.

Can see it being useful only really for quick action right as your putting your headphones on and before you put your case away. Saves you a few steps like opening the app on the phone. Still sorta gimmicky though

It depends how they implement the screen. Some earbuds have equalizers and other settings that are only active when paired to a smartphone, using the proprietary app, so when you switch the earbuds to using them with a laptop or a PC, you don't get the equalizer because it didn't save on the earbuds. I've always hated earbuds that work this way. If the case is able to change these settings on the buds and then retain those settings no matter what the earbuds connect to, then that would be amazing. End of the day though, these earbuds better sound good and feel comfortable.

The biggest reason for me would be battery percentages of the buds and the case. This is only obvious if you have AirPods and an 📱 iPhone. It is also quicker and more obvious for things like I could noise cancellation in my opinion, since sometimes you’re not entirely sure whether it’s on or off, and a phone app takes more time. It could also be used to select a Bluetooth device. I short; yes, I can’t believe no one has done this yet.

I've been using TWEs since before the big companies starting making them. This feature is redundant unless you only use your headphones for music and your workspace has your case in front of you (and not your phone) on a charging pad or something of the sort. I sometimes don't even keep my case in my pocket. Sometimes I put it in my bad and stay near the bag. It's way more convenient to use the headphone controls for small changes and use a dedicated app on a phone for big changes (which should be rarely). It's cool to have the case serve a more functional role (it's gone from charging case to reverse charging case), but a screen is going to kill battery and give you redundant controls. Just make the controls better.

I actually see this as a super useful thing. I hate having to take my phone out open my phone jus to make an adjustment to the settings on my earbus. Like adjusting my ANC or what ever. I HATE the touch controls they ALWAYS SUCK.

This is way ahead of its time, in few years from now. It will be a trend

Fantastic idea. Hate going through the phone companion app for small things.

A problem I have with tapping on small earbuds is getting that triple or double tap down. That constant quick three taps sometimes is a pain when your body is too filled with energy, or people with adhd or anything alike. Those quick little actions can be missed easily.

I think the use case, pardon the pun, would be that you can set your preferences for that listening session before you put your case back in your pocket. The case is already in your hand every time you put the earbuds in.

Would've been cooler if it was just touch controls on the case and not a full blown LED screen imo tho. So that u can just easily reach into your pocket and effortlessly swipe and tap on the case without looking or anything instead of the usual raise your hand to try to swipe and tap on the earbuds in your ear. Would've been pretty niche anyways, but would serve as an interesting alternative.

It is basically a replacement for smartwatches, i prefer smartwatches but if i had to wear a analogue 1, I would definitely use these. And also, making it a working mp3 player would be a good decision

If the case also had storage for media files and it's separate Bluetooth connection to the earbuds, it might make sense having it as a companion for people that have a dumbphone or don't stay all day with their phones in the hands

Everyone is forgetting 2 big things -90% of people use a case for their earbuds to prevent it from being scuffed -that screen will take up a significant amount of battery

I thought the Spotify Car Thing was a dumb idea, until I started using it and realized it completely removes the need for my phone to leave my pocket while I'm driving. I love it now. I can see this screen on the JBL buds doing the same thing.

I personally it’s could be a great idea. Let say if you are using the TWS earphones with laptops/desktop/computer there is not option to twist the sounds or feature to the earphone itself, because most of these TWS on the market only provides a mobile app IOS/Android.

This could be awesome but it also creates a new problem. In traditional TWS only the two buds need to be connected to the phone. U can just leave the case anywhere and use ur headphones. But in this case, the individual buds has to be connected to the case for it to controlled by it.

I'm curious as to why nobo has mentioned the gym. This is a blessing in a gym.

Function over form kind of like that LG Wing phone... I'm just thinking the second you put that into your pocket you may get accidental touches unless there's some way to disable that screen with like a screen lock until you need to use it but as far as things like volume controls and what have you most companies have been putting them into touch controls on the buds themselves the case kind of becomes redundant and just more of an afterthought the more you think about it. It was just experimenting to be different to do it because nobody else has yet. Like that LG Wing phone nobody made one before that and nobody's made one after that that OG made it just to prove a point that it could be done and somebody out there would want it

An MP3 player with streaming support, expandable memory and updates to both the case and earbuds. That would be killer. Not anymore would a companion app would be needed, and the entire thing would be expected to last longer. Repairability would be paramount.

Another advantage is that you can customize the sound, anc, etc even with non cellphone devices, you can adjust anything being connected with any device: tv, laptos, etc.

Fantastic idea, I'm tired of having to download an app that asks for far too much info just so i can toggle anc or some other function.

With that smartwatch analogy, it's bigger smartphone situation all over again, to me. People didn't wanted to buy iPad, instead iPhone be bigger, so the other companies did that. People don't want to buy Apple Watch, AirPods be have screen to control, now the other companies doing it.

I think it’s a good idea. Asides it being a forward thinking idea, it would really reduce loss of the case. 😊

I don't use buds, so I'm likely way off, but I would rather have the case support additional charging rather than wasting it on displays and controls. Maybe have an necklace option or armband option? then I could kinda see it for a runner or other workouts.

The only real use case I could see for these would be connecting to sources other than a phone, like when I connect my galaxy buds to my PC, which doesn't have an app for those extra controls then it would be useful to have but for my phone and watch it would be silly.

As a motorcyclist, I would prefer the case but not the shape of the earbuds.

Here is my take on the jbl tour case 1. It’s cool but im not sure whether it’s an AOD or not if it is, when we put the case in our pocket there are chances of accidental touches like turning on/off anc etc or if they go with like the display will only turn on when you open the lid that’s a 👎 for me. 2. The battery of the case will be terrible even if it’s an amoled or oled. Anyways it’s unique and cool.

JBL should just add wear OS to the case and make it a kind of pocket watch without heart rate monitoring etc, but still a kind of second screen smart watch

I know this sounds a little backwards but I'd personally like to see an earbuds case with a rotating wheel for ANC ambient sound control, a rotating wheel for volume control, a single button for playback and voice assistant control, and a hold switch to disable those controls whilst the case is in your pocket. Hell, just stick some integrated music storage on there and you've got yourself a pretty nifty MP3 Player.

I think you guys are missing one thing. This could actually be a really good feature. Ever since Apple made that satisfying magnetic clapping lid, it has become a big focus when developing new earbuds. Facts? How many reviews mention that a case has a satisfying clicking sound nowadays? And, even though you guys might put the case back in your pocket, I can guarantee you that a huge amount of people, I am a culprit as well, keep that thing in their hands and are opening and closing that thing like there is no tomorrow for hours on end without even noticing. It's always in our hands and its the new fidget spinner. So, imagine now having all your controls on that thing. Genius? Food for thought

My Garmin watch has a Spotify app and onboard storage so I can leave my phone at home and listen with my Bluetooth earphones from the watch. If JBL added Spotify/music/etc apps with onboard storage (or LTE), then you could leave the phone at home completely, and use the earphones as a standalone music listening device, with the screen controlling the earphones, as well as other apps like music controls.

RIP to the value of being able to charge headphones on the go. This concept is def cool but like you mentioned, the battery life on the case is definitely something to look at.

Claire text me that i should come home which means i should spend more time in the climbing gym💀💀💀

They could just do capacitive touch or PREFERABLY physical buttons for locating the buds, or modes that might come in handy when you can't really touch your phone... I.e. wet hands or gloves?? Screen could show battery percentage at a glance without the need to touch your phone or open an app...

I think there would be basically 2 situations when this screen would actually make sense. When you have your phone in a bag or in the pocket and you just want to quickly toggle anc or ambient sound WHILE you are taking your earbuds out, so you wouldn't need to take out phone and play in settings to turn this things on. It would be just a lot quicker. Second function I could see is just showing always on battery % while charging case and estimated time to charge buds inside case

Most of the time I don't even take the case with me when I'm excercising, as I know I won't take out the earbuds until I get home.

I have all the controls I need on my earbuds, I don't need to carry the case in my pocket and get it out to make any changes. If I need to EQ, I'll use my phone which does a much better job. The only way I see this being mildly useful is if you don't use a smartphone or watch for your music.

As someone who takes the subway to work in NYC. This would be great to use without having to take out my phone.

I badly want this. I'm an avid music listener, and I can get easily distracted by having to use my phone to go into my music library. And to be clear, I don't like watches or bracelets due to sensory and aesthetic reasons, so having essentially a wireless MP3 player in my pocket would be amazing. I share his thoughts on touch controls on the earbuds as well, I don't find them ergonomically pleasing, and they usually don't work well.

this is a really good idea. you won't need to unpair from your laptop to then pair to your phone and install an app just to change the settings

Can we add a headphone jack on these with super high quality Bluetooth so that I can play on existing expensive headphones and non bluetooth speakers and old cars that only have Aux? I dont think it will cost much.

The one instance I can see this being useful is whole studying, how you don't want to pick up your phone because you may get distracted, but this here you can see the notifs change song etc

I thought he said "this episode is brought to you by boobs" near the end 😆

Revive the iPod Shuffle as power bank. Its just a big power bank that just happens to have bluetooth and storage for songs/podcasts/audiobooks Just a large apple power bank. If you put all your music here, sync apple music/pod casts in advance of a trip if you don’t buy music. Saves you phone storage and data. With your phones bluetooth off you can enjoy uninterrupted listening on long trips.

I am not a fan of another screen.. But for the folks that don't have a smart watch this might work. They should add a fitness tracker while their at it.

You can indeed control the Galaxy Buds sound cancellation with the Galaxy Watch. There's an app I never had to install on my watch called "Buds" for this.

if I'm paying more than I need to for this, no thanks. if it is included in an appropriately priced set, I'm in. I like the visual of those settings and faster than trying to get to them on my phone.

Honestly if it had a e ink display but that is super advanced with those types of controls which makes the case lasts a long time.

As a car detailer who leaves my phone on my cart and have my samsung buds 2 case in my pocket, to have a little screen on the case would be an interesting option to have

This is really cool because I use with other devices that doesn't have the app and I still can configure the earphone via the touch screen.

Genius because of the proprietary tech. You can only use certain features with certain phones. With the case having all features you don’t depend from the phone option not being supported on the device. Now you just use it directly from the case.

I think it’s a great idea 💡. Let me give you my reasons. 1. This is awesome because you can by pass your phone and pulling out the brick of a phone,2 I agree the ear thing and changing songs and volume on all ear devices sucks,now on a case would be awesome. Pick your songs,volume,change your songs. And the one gentleman has to understand is not everyone can afford an Apple 🍎 watch,where everyone can afford in the ear device.

It is nice to see tech brands think out of the box and this will most probably be a niche product. Let's think about the consumer market for a minute, consumers are of different types: 1. Owns a premium smartphone (like an iPhone) and buys products that compliment the ecosystem (Apple Watch, AirPods, etc) 2. Owns a mid or budgeted range smartphone and buys a mid range smartwatch or fitness band (like Amazfit) 3. Owns any smartphone and doesn't care about the ecosystem 4. Doesn't own a smartphone at all In any of these permutations and further permutations and combinations that can be created, I can't really see someone buying these earbuds, unless there's a specific need. Like Marques asked, what if I own a smart watch? It becomes redundant... And on the other side a common consumer who spends less than $500 or $400 is highly unlikely to spend $250 on a pair or earbuds. If you spend more than $400 then there are options that compliment the ecosystem...

Adam 100% is my outro underdog hero

I wouldn’t pay that much for ear buds. But I see merit in this feature. In a work environment where I would like to limit distraction and have quick reactions it would be great to have controls on the case. Tuck my phone in a drawer (out of sight out of mind) and quickly change through sound settings on a no-nonsense screen that doesn’t require unlocking or scrolling or app loading or options 3-4 taps away

I'm late but this would be great for old people. My grandma isn't really too fond of a watch so if she knows that she can just use her case instead of some sort of gesture or pulling out her phone, she'll go for it

If this becomes a hit we are in trouble. This trend is going to be insane then turn into a standard feature

As someone that doen't like using the touch controls on the buds themselves I would have just perferred to have JBL (I use JBL buds) produce a lock screen widget (or just a widget) for the phone that allows me to switch between ANC, Ambient, and Talk Thru.

As someone without a smart watch and that bought his first pair of true wireless headphones a few months ago I really miss a lot of controls at the earphones. I thought about some buttons on the case, but a touch display will do the trick as well. This is the single most function I miss right now at the earphones.

I have one scenario that recently bogged me with wireless headphones (not earbuds tho). Those headphones can pair to multiple devices. I used those headphones with laptop, smartphone and at one point console, etc.. Since I had no clue which devices it had remembered and I wanted to make room for another one I had to check via smartphone and tablet if I can manage that and remove unwanted device to make room for another one I want. For this type of management having that on headphones themselves is super legit (same with eq which could be only controlled via app).Let's face it it's battery on earbuds that's limiting factor - not case, so fine in that regard. I have one gripe with it. I started with OG airpods and the battery is dead now. I look at earbuds as consumable unless someone (finally) makes the battery detachable (like the steam on airpods), so paying extra for this "nice to have" in a thing that will be thrown away in two years seems wasteful.

I feel like it’s a better alternative way to play music instead of putting in your AirPods and then pulling out your phone to play some music. I feel like on the JBL screen you can just play the music from the screen instead of reaching out into your pockets to pull your phone on the switch playlists. Like you can jsut pull one thing out like the JBL case and jsut play what you want from there without going for your phone to pick the music/playlist you would like to listen to.

JBL should first address their case and earphones draining on its own before adding another power draining component to it.

I would like having those controls independent of the music device, because if I'm connecting to my work computer or something without the right app to change settings, it's nice to still have them.

Counter counter, I would like it to show what I listening to the screen and hook the case with my pant. That's gonna be so cool!

what if you added storage in it, it would be great for runners, you wont need to carry your phone to listen songs. The case is enough

I'd love this. I use my headphones for trams calls on my laptop, where there's no companion app for ANC controls. Having on the case, which is on my desk next to my laptop, is a game changer.

It depends on how they execute it , because the case will be inside ur pockets so it needs to have an on/off button somewhere

I would use these when I was worried about grab and run theft. Keep my phone secure while still interacting with it and earbuds.

All I need from a screen like this is battery percentages. Of the headphones and the case. I keep the case in my car and bring my Bose earbuds into the gym with me then put them back in my charger in the middle console. I charge the case with the headphones once a week. Pretty simple.

I would be worried how well it would hold up to being dropped. Would you buy a screen protector for your earbud case? The more you fiddle around with something, the more likely it is it would be dropped. And if you are wearing your earbuds, and the screen on the case is damaged, would it effect how well it would charge the earbuds? Could you get a replacement case if it were damaged and unable to charge the earbuds? I have a very old cheap pair of earbuds. You charge them with a micro USB. You plug the USB into the buds themselves. If the earbuds came with a backup plan like that it might be OK. It would also have to come with the same app you could download for your phone.

I think it'll struggle to find an audience, but the idea is kind of genius. If you have a modern phone that rides kind of heavy in your pocket, or is too bright or obvious to take out in certain situations, having a mini screen with limited functionality that doesn't even require biometric security would be super fast and convenient. What's catchy is that they're throwing it on a product as an added bonus when there wouldn't otherwise be a reason to justify the expense of a pocket mini screen. It really is just the functionality of a watch though. Question is if it's more cost-effective. What probably kills it is if it's not worth buying "worse" headphones just for this feature.

I think it's kinda cool, but I'd still probably never use the case for anything else than an actual case.

I like the idea of controlling the sound profile when Im connected to my pc or steam deck. Plus playing games on my phone and not leaving the app sounds nice.

the only use case (no pun intended) i can see for a case with a screen on it is to quickly see what battery ur case and buds are before you go to use them without having to use your phone.

They should have made this into a speaker as well so when you take out the buds the audio stops playing on the case.

Intriguing idea, but the obvious glaring flaw is how vulnerable this is just from a human/haptics standpoint. We're talking about a small case that is now more than just a container, now you hold and operate - I see many a hard fall with this. Somebody better make a hard/grippy case for it.

for us people that live in a more dangerous country is useful when we are out of home and don't want to show our phone directly and run the risk of getting robbed

My og pebble has all these functions minus switching to anc

Here is my theory maybe there is a storage in the buds to save the music and listen to it in the earbuds without the phone , some time it is hassle to carry a smartphone

Imagine having Spotify or YTmusic on the case of your earbuds

When there is a benefit to know the buds have a battery or low if there is a ink screen.

I skip songs on the earbuds, I adjust volume on my smartwatch. I usually leave my Bud's case at home since the battery life is good enough.

the screen thing i feel like can be used for a person who drives a bike like me cuz during the ride if i stop at a traffic light or sum and wanna pause, adjust volume, etc. it’s fairly hard to pull out my phone out of my pocket and would be easy to just do those things with a small case.

I think it's better because people forget the jesters and one ear is for one and the other is for another one

Talking about the practicality of it is only ONE part. The durability of this will be absolute trash considering a lot of people keep their buds cases in their pocket along with keys. That screen is gonna get scratched up super fast.

But But... Bluetooth connectivity reach from the phone to the buds. You know if you leave your phone in the bag hoping to use the earbuds case to tap, you would still have to be in Bluetooth reach of the phone. The case doesn't amplify the signal, you would still have to bring the phone along in order for it to reach the headphone and case signal. Right?

WOW, technology’s evolving back to MP3 players.

@Marques Brownlee I have the iPhone SE and my Lock Screen text looks old compared to my friends do I just need to wait it out till the next update or should I do something? By the way it says it’s fully up to date

As a person from a third world country Where security isn't all that great having your phone out while on public transportation is a potential risk for you to get it stolen sounds crazy but it is true so having something else to be able to switch songs and check notifications actually makes some sense the only thing is I have a Smart watch that does all this already so that kind of a counter argument but it has a place in some situations.