Sony's LinkBuds Clip redefines earbuds with an open-ear, clip-on design

As soon as I slipped the tiny clip onto my jacket, the difference was immediate. Sony has taken the conventional in-ear silhouette and turned it on its side, letting sound spill around the ear while the microphone array stays alert to the surrounding hustle. The result is a listening experience that feels less like isolation and more like a soundtrack to the moment, whether you're navigating a crowded street or stepping out for a quick jog. Behind the sleek plastic is a battery that lasts well beyond a typical commute, and a suite of adaptive listening modes that automatically mute or amplify ambient cues based on what you're doing. Sony's engineering team clearly aimed for a balance between immersion and safety, embedding sensors that gauge motion and environmental noise to fine-tune the output without any manual fiddling. For anyone who has grown weary of the sealed-in feel of traditional earbuds, the LinkBuds Clip feels like a thoughtful evolution that respects both the music and the world around you.