JUNE 2020 PCWorld 17final selling point of $199. They, too, started
shipping on May 12.
Microsoft originally pitched the Surface
Earbuds as both a terrific way to listen to
music via Spotify—with rich Omnisonic
sound—as well as a transcription and even
translation tool for Word, Outlook and other
apps. Originally, Microsoft said the Surface
Earbuds were good for 24 hours of charging
via the charging case: 8 hours per charge,
with two “refills” from the case. (The company
now says they offer “all-day battery life” with
the included wireless charging case.) If there
was any knock against the Earbuds, it’s that
the large, tappable control surface dominated
your earlobes.
Otherwise, though, it looks as though
Microsoft will have its own competitor to the
Google Pixel Buds, the Apple AirPods Pro
(go.pcworld.com/arpr), and more.TWO NEW MICROSOFT
KEYBOARDS
Microsoft’s also launching two new mouse-
and-keyboard combos. The Microsoft
Ergonomic Desktop is priced at $89.99,
and the Microsoft Bluetooth Desktop is
priced at $59.99.
Microsoft described the Microsoft
Ergonomic Desktop as one that “reduces
fatigue and delivers exceptional comfort and
control with a split keyboard design featuring
Another view of Microsoft’s Surface Headphones 2. a cushioned palm rest and an ultra-precise
Microsoft’s Surface Earbuds are charged within
their own case and feature a large control surface
for interaction. A triple-tap launches Spotify.