Microsoft delayed the release of its first TWS headset until the spring of 2020

Microsoft has delayed the launch of the Surface Earbuds, which were due to go on sale later this year, until the spring of 2020. Microsoft did not specify the reason for the delay, but its chief product officer said the product was still being refined in more detail.

The Surface Earbuds, Microsoft's first TWS (truly wireless) Headphones after last year's Surface Headphones, were unveiled at a press conference in New York last month. The launch of the Surface Earbuds marks Microsoft's official entry into the TWS headphone race.

Microsoft had planned to launch its new Surface Earbuds "later this year," but has now announced that the wireless Earbuds will not be available until spring 2020.

"Good products are about polishing the details, and that takes time." Panos Panay, Microsoft's chief product officer, explained in a Twitter post. "To provide the best experience for our fans and customers, the Surface Earbuds will be launched worldwide in spring 2020."

Panay didn't say exactly why Microsoft delayed the launch of the Surface Earbuds, but it's clear that neither testing nor production is planned for December.

The Surface Earbuds are tuned for music and voice, and have a rather prominent, large, round shape. The two large disks are the earphones' touch areas, which can be controlled by tapping and swiping gestures for music or other audio, as well as a long-pressed exclaim voice assistant, but don't have the always-listening capabilities of apple or amazon wireless headphones.

The Surface Earbuds have an eight-hour battery life, a total of 24 hours including the charging case. When wearing the headset, it will not completely block the ear canal, sacrificing part of the isolation of the external sound, and improving the comfort of the headset. In addition, each headset has two built-in microphones that help reduce noise while you're talking.

It's worth noting that Microsoft has instructions for the Surface Earbuds to work with Office applications. When the user presents a PPT, the headset can transcribe what the user says in real time and display it in text form at the bottom of the slide, even in a noisy environment. This additional advantage in productivity is unique to Microsoft.

It's not unreasonable for Microsoft to add these unique features. Compared with the $179 Google Pixel Buds and $129 Echo Buds, the $249 Surface Earbuds are clearly a level playing field in terms of price compared to apple's AirPods Pro, but the Surface Earbuds do not actively reduce noise.