SMS Audio explained

SMS Audio
Type:Private
Foundation:August 2011
Location:Delray Beach, Florida
Key People:Curtis Jackson, CEO
Brian Nohe, President

SMS Audio is an American consumer electronics company that primarily manufactures and markets headphones. The company was founded by 50 Cent in 2011 and acquired Kono Audio that same year.

History

SMS Audio was founded in 2011[1] by rapper and entrepreneur Curtis Jackson, also known as 50 Cent. SMS stands for "Studio Mastered Sound".[2] Jackson acquired KonoAudio that August for an undisclosed amount[3] in order to rebrand it using his name.[4] KonoAudio's President, Brian Nohe, who founded KonoAudio in 2007, became President of SMS Audio.[5] [6] 50 Cent and former KonoAudio President Brian Nohe designed SMS Audio's first line of headphones in late 2011 and early 2012.[7] [8] In January 2012, DJ Pauly D announced via Twitter that he was partnering with SMS Audio and 50 Cent to develop a new line of headphones.[9] [10] Music artist Timbaland became an investor in SMS Audio in January 2013,[11] which was followed by investments from NBA player Carmelo Anthony in December 2013.[12] In 2016 the SMS audio website was taken down and operations were suspended.[13] In 2022 their products can be purchased on the gunitbrands website. [14]

Products

In October 2012 the "STREET by 50" line of in-ear, over-ear and on-ear headphones were introduced.[15] [16] The wireless SYNC by 50 communicates using proprietary Kleer Wireless Technology, which claims to provide 16-bit CD quality sound with lossless audio, rather than the standard Bluetooth, and can connect to up to four devices within 50 feet.[17] [18]

In late 2013, a STREET by 50 ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) version was introduced,[19] [20] which was followed by a wireless, portable speaker called SYNC by 50 Portable that November.[21] In January 2014, an Audio Sport lineup of headphones were released in collaboration with professional basketball player Carmelo Anthony and a Star Wars themed set of headphones were introduced in partnership with Lucasfilm.[22]

In August 2014, SMS Audio announced the BioSport In-Ear wired earbuds that have "embedded biometric sensors that collect fitness data, including heart rate, without the need for regular charges."[23] SMS Audio is collaborating with Intel for the project.[24] [25]

According to the company website, it also sells SMS Audio-branded apparel and accessories.[26]

Sponsorships

In December 2011, Curtis Jackson announced that a portion of each headphone sold domestically on the SMS Audio website would be donated to the Feeding America initiative.[27] [28] In February 2014, SMS Audio became one of the sponsors of the NASCAR racing team, Swan Racing, which features the SMS Audio logo on its racing cars and on the jackets of some of its racers.[29]

Notes and References

  1. News: Spencer . Gail . In the (health) club with new workout headphones from 50 Cent . The Examiner . June 3, 2012 .
  2. News: Sakr . Shariff . 50 Cent talks up two new headphones in his SMS Audio line (video) . Engadget . August 31, 2012 . October 8, 2012 .
  3. News: Novellino . Teresa . Where Did You Get Those Headphones? . UpStart Business Journal . September 14, 2011 . October 20, 2012 .
  4. News: Novellino . Teresa . 50 Cent is "Mr. Jackson" in the boardroom . UpStart Business Journal . August 27, 2012 . September 19, 2012 .
  5. News: Johnston . Lisa . 50 Cent's SMS Audio Acquires KoNoAudio . Twice . September 8, 2011 . August 24, 2012 .
  6. News: Hawkins . Lee . 50 Cent on his evolution as rapper and businessman . Wall Street Journal . December 7, 2011 . August 25, 2012 .
  7. News: Jiminez . Sierra . What 50 Cent sees in headphones . Fortune . December 8, 2011 . August 24, 2012 .
  8. News: Harling . Danielle . 50 Cent's Electronics Company SMS Audio Acquires KonoAudio . HipHopDX. August 31, 2011. August 24, 2012 .
  9. Web site: 50 Cent's SMS Audio Announces New DJ Pauly D and MXD50 Headphone Brands. TechPowerUp. 30 October 2012 .
  10. Web site: Snooki, DJ Pauly D From 'Jersey Shore' Announce Headphone Deals. January 11, 2012. January 12, 2015. Ciccone. Alice. .
  11. Web site: Timbaland Joins 50 Cent & SMS Audio As Investor Partner. HipHopDX. January 3, 2013. HipHopDX.
  12. News: Carmelo Anthony Launches Headphone Contest With New Ad For 50 Cent's SMS Audio (VIDEO). September 25, 2014 . Yohance. Kyles. March 10, 2015 .
  13. Web site: Johnston . Lisa . 2016-08-16 . 50 Cent's SMS Audio No Longer Operating . 2022-11-10 . TWICE . en-US.
  14. Web site: SMS Audio/KidzSafe . 2022-11-10 . G-Unit Brands, Inc..
  15. News: Steele . Billy . SMS Audio outs an on-ear option for its Street by 50 headphones, ships October 7th for $180 . Engadget . October 2, 2012 . October 15, 2012 .
  16. News: Casteel . Jay . Pre-orders kick off for SMS Audio Street by 50 wired DJ Pro Performance headphones . Baller Status . October 2, 2012 . October 15, 2012 .
  17. News: Wakelin . Nicole . SMS Audio by 50 Cent: Earbuds and Earphones . WIRED . July 23, 2012 . February 12, 2015 .
  18. News: SMS Audio by 50 review. October 19, 2012. Tim. Gideon. PC Magazine.
  19. News: Shawn. Sanders. SMS Street by 50 ANC Review. Gadget Review. October 10, 2013. February 10, 2014.
  20. News: SMS Street by 50 ANC Review. Ryan. Waniasa. September 13, 2013.
  21. News: Review: SMS Audio SYNC by 50 Portable Wireless Speaker. November 16, 2013. Ian. Kersey. February 17, 2014. Intomobile.
  22. News: 50 Cent's SMS Audio to Release Carmelo Anthony & "Star Wars". HipHopDX. Danielle. Harling. February 10, 2014. January 8, 2014.
  23. News: 50 Cent partners with Intel to create smart earbuds. The New York Post. January 8, 2015. January 12, 2015. Morris. Chris.
  24. News: 50 Cent's SMS Audio is making earphones that listen to your heart. The Verge. Josh. Lowensohn. August 14, 2014. January 12, 2015.
  25. News: Intel teams up with 50 Cent to launch heart-beat monitoring earphones. August 15, 2014. January 12, 2015. Gibbs. Samuel. The Guardian.
  26. Web site: Accessories. February 10, 2014. SMS Audio.
  27. News: Laird . James . IFA 2012: ITProPortal interviews SMS Audio CEO 50 Cent . ITProPortal . September 4, 2012 . October 15, 2012 .
  28. News: Fitzgerald . Trent . 50 Cent to Feed America with SMS Audio Headphones . PopCrush . December 16, 2011 . September 18, 2012 .
  29. News: Associated Press. February 4, 2014. SMS Audio to sponsor Swan Racing. February 10, 2014.

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