OnePlus could finally tackle one of the most annoying things about wireless earbuds. The company is reportedly working on a new feature that will alert you if an earbud slips out of your ear, reducing the risk of you losing it if you’re not careful.
Android Authority spotted the upcoming feature called “Earbud Drop Detection” while browsing the latest version of OnePlus’ Hey Melody companion app (version 116.3.0). A screenshot of the settings page suggests that the feature will play a sound on both earbuds when it detects that one earbud has fallen out. A notification will also be sent to help you search.
While the settings page doesn’t reveal exactly how earbud drop detection works, it will likely be based on the same sensors used for in-ear detection, which automatically plays or pauses music when you insert or remove your earbuds. However, it’s not immediately clear how the feature distinguishes between an accidental drop and the user intentionally removing an earbud.
It is speculated that OnePlus could rely on a combination of sensor data and software logic to determine whether an earbud has accidentally fallen out or been removed intentionally. The company is expected to shed some light on its inner workings when the feature is ready to roll out.
Release timeline and compatibility are still under wraps
There is currently no official information from OnePlus about the feature or when it will be available to users. The app also doesn’t provide any compatibility details, so it’s unclear whether earbud drop detection will be available on all earbuds or is reserved for OnePlus’ flagship offerings. Still, it’s great to see OnePlus finally addressing an issue that many wireless earbud users have faced over the years.
Since Oppo earbuds also work with the Hey Melody app, the feature could potentially be available for Oppo users too. However, we have to wait until the rollout to confirm it.
