The first Yandex headphones with AI features

      Yandex has started selling the "Yandex Drops" headphones — the company's first wearable AI device with support for Alice AI.

      The device is designed for a "question-answer" scenario on the go, allowing users to interact with the neural network by voice without taking out their smartphone. The same language model used in the chat with Alice AI is employed in Drops, but the responses are adapted for listening — they are presented more concisely. At the same time, the dialogue does not "cut off" in the headphones: the initiated conversation is saved and can be continued in the app, in the corresponding section.

      The key software highlight at launch is the new Alice AI feature "My Memory," which will be first accessible to Drops owners. According to the description, it works like "external memory": users can dictate plans, ideas, and agreements, and the neural network transforms them into structured notes and lists with search, editing, and deletion capabilities, both by voice and manually. Reminders are also included — they can come through the headphones, notifications on the phone, as well as on smart speakers and TV Stations, meaning a unified record base is linked to the Alice AI ecosystem rather than a single device.

      From a hardware perspective, Drops are full-fledged headphones with active noise cancellation and transparency modes, voice control for calls and playback, as well as touch control. Quick commands like "Quieter," "Stop," or "Decline" are processed locally — this is handled by the NPU processor, which allows such commands to be available even without the internet and should be recognized more reliably in noisy environments. Sound is managed by an 11-mm driver, there is an equalizer, and the IP54 water resistance allows the device to be used during workouts. Battery life is claimed to be up to 5 hours with noise cancellation and calling Alice AI, and up to 8 hours when these functions are turned off. To operate AI scenarios, the headphones must be connected to the "Alice AI" app and ensure it runs in the background.

      From June 9 to 15, "Yandex Drops" are sold only through chat with Alice AI, and from June 16, the device will be available at retailers. The recommended price is 8,990 rubles, with sales announced in Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Uzbekistan.