Yandex has unveiled its first wearable device featuring the Alice AI voice assistant: the Drops earbuds. These headphones let users interact hands-free with the AI-asking questions, managing smart home devices, and handling calls-without needing a phone in hand. Priced at 8,990 rubles (about $115), Drops are initially available via Alice AI chat from June 9 to 15, hitting electronics stores in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus on June 16, and arriving in Uzbekistan on June 30.
- Yandex’s debut AI-powered wearable with integrated Alice AI
- Exclusive early access to the new ”My Memory” feature for Drops owners
- Available in three colors, IP54 water and dust resistant, up to 8 hours battery life without noise cancellation
Alice AI built into the Drops earbuds
Drops run the same powerful language model that powers the Alice AI chat in Yandex’s ecosystem. However, answers are shortened and optimized for audio listening. Conversations started on the earbuds can be continued later in the Alice AI chat app, where the history is saved under the ”Drops Earbuds” section.
For example, shoppers can ask about food additives like E440 found in yogurt or check pickup point hours while on the go-without pulling out their phone.
”My Memory” personal assistant feature for Drops earbuds
Owners of the Drops earbuds receive first access to Alice AI’s new ”My Memory” feature. Users can dictate important notes-like insurance deadlines, pet vaccinations, or doctor appointments-and the AI organizes them into structured lists and reminders. Notifications can pop up through the earbuds, smartphone, Yandex Station smart speaker, or Yandex TV Station.
The ”My Memory” system is integrated not just with Drops but across Yandex’s ecosystem-available in the Alice AI chat on computers, smartphones, smart speakers, and TV Stations. Users can search, edit, add, or delete notes via voice or manual input.
Sound quality, noise cancellation, and controls for Drops earbuds
Drops use 11mm audio drivers to deliver sound. They offer three noise cancellation modes: standard, adaptive, and transparency, which work on both speakers and microphones during calls. An onboard equalizer lets users fine-tune audio to their liking.
Voice commands like ”Quiet,” ”Stop,” ”Continue,” and ”Reject” are processed locally by an NPU processor, enabling instant response even without internet. The system is trained to pick out commands amid noisy environments. The earbuds also support touch controls for playback and calls.
Battery life and durability of Yandex Drops earbuds
The Drops earbuds provide the following battery performance and features:
- Up to 5 hours of playback with active noise cancellation and Alice AI enabled
- Up to 8 hours of playback without noise cancellation or Alice AI
- IP54 rating for dust and water resistance
- Available in white, black, and purple colors
- Requires the Alice AI app running in the background on a connected smartphone to use AI assistant functions
Yandex’s Drops earbuds mark a bold move for a Russian tech giant traditionally rooted in online services rather than wearables. Globally, this puts Yandex in competition with Apple’s AirPods, Google’s Pixel Buds, and Samsung’s Galaxy Buds-devices combining voice assistants with sleek audio hardware. While the Drops currently support Russian-language AI interactions, the exclusive ”My Memory” integration could give Yandex a unique edge in personal productivity.
Going forward, it will be interesting to see how Yandex expands Drops’ AI capabilities and ecosystem integration. The question remains whether the company can leverage its strong search and AI heritage to deliver a voice assistant experience that rivals or surpasses Western competitors in usability, responsiveness, and third-party support.