Huawei TalkBand N1 headphones track your running and play music without a phone

Huawei has announced the TalkBand N1, a pair of headphones which play music and record your walking and running without the need for an attached smartphone.

Although the earphones can be hooked up to your Android or iOS phone over Bluetooth, the TalkBand N1's party trick is the integrated movements sensors and 4GB of storage - so you can listen to music and keep tabs on your exercise in the gym, while leaving your phone in the changing rooms.

A replacement for strapping your smartphone to your arm, the earphones record step count, distance covered and calories consumed; this is then synchronised with Huawei's TalkBand fitness tracking app for iOS and Android.

Announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the headphones are water resistant - so they won't be damaged by sweat or light rain - are available in silver, grey and red, and connect to each other magnetically to sit around your neck when not in use.

Huawei says the TalkBand N1 has a three-day battery life and will provide five hours or Bluetooth hands-free calling; they charge via microUSB.

The TalkBand N1 will cost €119 and goes on sale in the UK, US and Europe by the end of May.

Huawei also used its MWC press conference to announce the TalkBand B2, a fitness band for your wrist which has an attractive gold finish and brown leather strap. An upgrade on the B1, the new model offers the same dual functionality, where the main unit detaches from the strap and can be worn in your ear for hands-free Bluetooth calling.

IBTimes UK is at Mobile World Congress and will be reporting on all of the major new announcements from Samsung, Sony, HTC and more over the coming days.