Amazon announces new wireless headphones, Echo Buds, at an event in Seattle on September 25, 2019.
CNBC | Todd Haselton
Amazon on Wednesday sent an email to people who bought their Echo Buds headphones warning them to update their software. In “very rare cases,” she said the headphones can overheat while charging.
The Echo Buds launched in the fall of 2019 and compete with Apple AirPods. They offer quick access to Amazon Alexa, come with their own charging case and feature Bose noise reduction. The email to customers says a software update addresses “potential security risk” and “improves the long-term performance of Echo Buds batteries.”
“We recently determined that in very rare cases Echo Buds may overheat while charging. As a precaution, we released an over-the-air software update that addresses this potential problem,” said an Amazon spokesperson. he told CNBC.
The Amazon site says the Echo Buds are out of stock until August 15. The company did not say whether that delay may be related to a hardware update.
Here is the full email Amazon sent to customers and instructions on how to upgrade if you own a pair of Echo Buds:
We are writing to inform you about a major software update for your Echo Buds.
The safety of our clients is our main priority. We recently determined that in very rare cases it is possible for Echo Buds to overheat in the load case. As a precaution, we have released a software update that addresses this potential security risk and improves the long-term performance of Echo Buds batteries.
Applying the Software Update
You will automatically receive the update when your Echo Buds connect via Bluetooth to your phone and the Alexa app.
To confirm the update:
Open the Echo Buds case (make sure both buttons are in the case)
· Confirm that your Echo Buds are Bluetooth connected to your phone
· Open the Alexa app and select “Devices” at the bottom right
· Choose “Echo and Alexa” and then “Echo Buds”
· Scroll down to the “About” section at the bottom of the page
· Confirm that your device is running software version 318119151 or higher
If you have a different software version, follow these instructions to start the software update:
Open the lid of the box with the Echo Buds inside and confirm that they are connected to Bluetooth on your phone and the Alexa app
· Check that your Echo Buds and their case are at least 30% charged
Close the lid of the box with the Echo Buds inside and keep it within the Bluetooth range of your phone for 30 minutes
· Verify that the software version is 318119151 or higher, following the instructions above
If you purchased this item for someone else, please notify the recipient immediately and provide them with this information. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for taking the time to confirm that you received the software update. If you have questions about how to apply the update, please contact us at https://www.amazon.com/contact-us.
Sincerely,
The Echo Buds team
Amazon also said that customers who didn’t register their devices should follow these instructions:
To register your device, please:
· Download the latest version of the Alexa app to your phone
Open the lid of the Echo Buds case (make sure both buds are in the case)
· Confirm that your Echo Buds are Bluetooth connected to your phone
· Activate your Echo Buds in the Alexa app by selecting “Devices” at the bottom right, then “+” at the top right of the screen, followed by “Add Device”> “Amazon Echo”> “Echo Buds” , then follow the prompts on the screen
· Check that your Echo Buds and their case are at least 30% charged
Close the lid of the box with the Echo Buds inside and keep it within the Bluetooth range of your phone for 30 minutes
To confirm the update:
Open Echo Buds case (make sure both are in the case)
· Confirm that your Echo Buds are Bluetooth connected to your phone
· Open the Alexa app and select “Devices” at the bottom right
· Choose “Echo and Alexa” and then “Echo Buds”
· Scroll down to the “About” section at the bottom of the page
· Confirm that your device is running software version 318119151 or higher
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