오픈닷츠 원(OpenDots ONE)

Existing earphones or earbuds block the ears, making it difficult to hear surrounding sounds and causing pressure or fatigue when used for extended periods. Users who listen to music while exercising or walking need to hear ambient noise for safety, but regular earphones do not adequately support this.

Additionally, while there were open-type products like bone conduction headsets, issues with sound quality degradation and wearing comfort remained. OpenDots ONE emerged because of the demand to"listen to good sound without blocking the ears."Shokz has been researching open-ear audio for a long time and has recognized this problem.

OpenDots ONE is the world's first clip-on open earbud, lightly clipping onto the auricle. It delivers rich sound through acoustic technology without putting anything inside the ear. Shokz's proprietary Bassphere™ low-frequency technology and Dolby Audio support enable immersive sound quality despite being an open-type earphone.

Unlike regular earbuds, it does not block the ear canal, maintaining the wearer's awareness of surrounding sounds. DirectPitch™ technology reduces sound leakage, minimizing disturbance to others. Furthermore, the flexible arc made of nickel-titanium alloy and the silicone grip ensure a stable fit for various ear shapes, and its very light weight ensures comfort even when worn for extended periods.

In summary,"High-quality sound + comfort + ambient sound awareness without covering the ears."The ability to achieve all three is the key differentiator compared to competing products.

The main target for this product is general consumers (B2C), specifically individual users who listen to music a lot in their daily lives or want to enjoy music safely while exercising. In particular, individuals who enjoy outdoor sports such as running and cycling, and general consumers who listen to music or podcasts on their way to and from work will be the main customer base.

It is positioned as a personal audio device rather than for corporate or medical use. In fact, Shokz designed OpenDots ONE as a product for fitness enthusiasts and commuters. This is clearly a B2C market product.

Technically, it is a product that can be launched directly into the global market without being tied to specific countries or regulations. As a Bluetooth-based wireless earphone, it can be used anywhere in the world and does not require separate infrastructure.

Due to the open-ear design's advantage of increasing awareness of surroundings even in hazardous environments (e.g., road driving, construction sites, etc.), it has the potential to expand into various fields such as sports and work sites. However, there are no major restrictions on market expansion as long as general wireless device regulations such as radio wave certification for audio output in each country are complied with.

Since Shokz already has a global distribution network, it is expected that simultaneous launch and distribution will be possible worldwide, from Asia to North America and Europe.

As seen in the CES Innovation Award, OpenDots ONE is evaluated as a product that will open a "new era of open-ear audio." It is praised for highly completing the concept of *"enjoying high-quality sound while keeping the ears open,"* and is lauded as the culmination of Shokz's efforts over the past decade in open-ear technology.

In particular, initial evaluations show that sound quality is improved compared to existing bone conduction earphones, and wearing comfort is superior to open-type earbuds from Bose and others. The level of technical completeness is also very high, with the product appearing to be almost ready for mass production, and the possibility of actual purchases in the market is also highly anticipated.

However, it is pointed out that consumer education may be necessary due to the completely new wearing method, but overall, positive reactions such as *"an innovation that balances technology and usability well"* are dominant.