Samsung Electronics is turning its Galaxy Buds wireless earbuds into AI agent devices. It added a clip-on form factor that does not block the ear and a hands-free control method. As part of its AI personalisation strategy, it is shifting AI activation and phone and alarm controls that required taking out a smartphone to the earbuds and linking them.

Samsung Electronics held a briefing on Oct. 20 ahead of the launch of Galaxy Buds On. Nam Hyun-jung (남현정), a professional in the wearable product planning group at Samsung Electronics' MX business division, said more users want to enjoy content while also hearing surrounding sounds. She described it as a product designed so users can enjoy audio comfortably without blocking the ear.

The product, the first clip-on wireless earbuds in the Galaxy Buds series, is designed to be worn around the ear without blocking the ear canal. Clip-on earbuds are often worn for long periods, but ear shapes vary, making it difficult to fit everyone with a single design. Nam said it must not strain the ear even when worn for a long time and must stay stably fitted to the ear even in situations with lots of movement.

To do that, Samsung Electronics used 4D computing-based AI optimisation technology and simulations to evenly distribute contact area and pressure on the parts that touch the ear. It also reviewed the placement of internal components such as the battery, speaker and wires, and added a shape-memory alloy band that flexibly moves to match the ear shape. A built-in accelerometer detects left and right based on the direction of gravity and automatically assigns channels regardless of which ear it is worn on. The company said this keeps the product fitted to the ear even during intense exercise.

Samsung Electronics designed the earbuds, meant to be worn for long periods, as an AI agent-linked device. The company cited three features: fit, sound and call performance, and hands-free functions including AI agent activation. When paired with a smartphone or tablet that supports Galaxy AI, users can call up an AI agent using only the earbuds.

For example, saying, "Hey Google, let's talk live," launches Gemini Live. After that, the conversation continues without repeating the wake word for each question. The company said users can call up needed functions immediately while working or on the move, enabling multitasking. It aims to expand the earbuds' role from a device for listening to music to a device for talking with AI.

Galaxy Buds On also bundles a voice recording function into conversations with an AI agent. Quick Voice Memo records immediately when a user speaks while pressing and holding the touch area on the back of the earbuds. Recorded content can be searched through Samsung Electronics' speech recognition platform Bixby without taking out a smartphone. The structure splits tasks, with Google's Gemini Live and Samsung Electronics' Bixby handling conversation and records within a single set of earbuds.

The design also extends to device control for situations where it is difficult to use both hands. The Head Gestures function recognises head movements, letting users nod to answer calls and shake their head side to side to dismiss alarms or check message notifications. Calls are handled by Intelligent Clear Call technology.

The technology uses 3 microphones, a bone-conduction-based vibration sensor and a machine-learning solution to separate the user's voice from background noise. It also includes automatic volume adjustment that raises volume when surrounding noise increases and returns it to the previous level when noise decreases. Samsung Electronics cited running as an example. Users can record workouts with a Galaxy Watch and control the earbuds with voice commands such as "next song," "turn up volume" and "answer call."

Samsung Electronics expects the earbuds to be used for everyday conversation and recording. Nam said users can call Gemini Live when an idea suddenly comes to mind, talk to flesh out their thoughts, or record ideas or to-dos immediately through Quick Voice Memo, making it highly useful in daily life.

The use cases, however, assume integration with Galaxy devices. AI voice functions can be used only when connected to a smartphone or tablet that supports Galaxy AI. Alarm dismissal and message notification checks using head gestures are supported only on One UI 9.0 or later, and alarm dismissal is limited to Samsung's Clock, Reminder and Calendar apps.