Parrot x Philippe Starck: ZIK – The Headset For The Smartphone Generation [video]

ZIK is a new headphone that incorporates bluetooth/NFC pairing, capacitative touch panel swiping, motion sensor pausing, bone conduction senso and active noise cancelation, and even has an app to control it all.

Global leader in wireless technology, Parrot, commissioned famed Parisian product designer Philippe Starck to oversee the creation of a pair of bluetooth headphones. Introduced as the Zik Headphones at the CES 2012 tradeshow, the makeup has been optimized for casual music enjoyment and simple integration with smartphones as a headset.

Featuring the latest wireless technology, Zik utilizes active noise control allowing the internal speakers to mimic the sound depth achieved from surround sound and a bone conduction sensor which detects jaw movement for clearer calls. The highlighting details however may be the intuitive touch panel controlled by finger gestures – swiping up or down changes the volume, while swiping forwards or backwards navigates your track list – and a motion sensor that detects when the headphones have been removed, pausing your music immediately.

Lastly, the contemporary minimalist design with chic black and metal accents will surely bring elegance to the headphone game that has been dominated by the recent surge in celebrity endorsements. No word yet on the price or participating retailers, but these will sure be a favorite among electronic tastemakers.

[via]