NetEase Youdao Launches OpenPods MFi-Certified AI Earphones for 1,499 Yuan

NetEase Youdao has released the OpenPods AI earphones in China for 1,499 RMB, featuring Apple MFi certification and specialized hardware for voice recording and translation. The open-ear device incorporates a charging case with a 5–8 meter pickup microphone, an external speaker, and 256MB of offline storage. The earphones address a long-standing pain point for iPhone users by offering seamless, system-level call and online meeting recording without recording prompts or permissions. By combining Apple-certified hardware integration with AI productivity services, NetEase Youdao is expanding its hardware-plus-subscription ecosystem for enterprise and remote work users. The OpenPods utilize an Apple-authorized chip for lock-screen feature execution, a 3-microphone array with a bone-conduction mic, and a 10.8mm dynamic driver. The built-in AI assistant supports speaker diarization, mind map generation, and RAG-based "Ask AI" queries with source citations, supported by a subscription tier that increases monthly transcription time up to 3,000 minutes.