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Amazon is making Alexa-enabled earbuds to take on Apple AirPods, report says

They could come later this year, according to Bloomberg.

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Abrar Al-Heeti Video producer / CNET
Abrar Al-Heeti is a video host and producer for CNET, with an interest in internet trends, entertainment, pop culture and digital accessibility. Before joining the video team, she was a writer for CNET's culture team. She graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Though Illinois is home, she now loves San Francisco -- steep inclines and all.
Expertise Abrar has spent her career at CNET breaking down the latest trends on TikTok, Twitter and Instagram, while also reporting on diversity and inclusion initiatives in Hollywood and Silicon Valley. Credentials
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Amazon may release a competitor to Apple's AirPods. 

 Sarah Tew/CNET
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Amazon is reportedly gearing up to take on Apple's AirPods. 

The e-commerce giant is working on wireless earbuds with built-in access to Alexa , according to a Thursday report by Bloomberg. The earbuds, which would resemble AirPods and include similar features, could reportedly come as soon as the second half of this year. Amazon's team is working to create better sound quality in the company's earbuds, the report said. 

Wearers will be able to use voice commands to order products, listen to music, check the weather and find other information, Bloomberg said. Saying "Alexa" will call up the digital assistant, and the earbuds will reportedly also feature physical gesture controls, like tapping to answer or end calls and to change songs.

Amazon didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

The e-tailer has dabbled in mobile hardware before with its Fire Phone, which was a major flop. This could be an opportunity for the company to take Alexa, which is available in some cars, beyond homes on a larger scale. 

The earbuds reportedly won't come with cellular connectivity, so you'd have to pair them with your phone. They'll come in a case that also serves as a charger, according to Bloomberg, and could come in black and gray. 

Apple launched its second-generation AirPods last month, starting at $159. They boast longer battery life, wireless charging and Siri compatibility. Beats, owned by the iPhone maker, plans to announce its own completely wireless PowerBeats headphones this month.