Talking Your Tech: Simon Cowell

• Simon Cowell helped develop new headphones with Sony

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Simon Cowell, creator of Fox's The X Factor, has teamed with Sony on a line of high-end Sony X $299 headphones, which were unveiled at a party here Thursday night. We took the opportunity to catch up with Cowell and talk tech.

Talkin' headphones

"Sony said they wanted to develop a range of headphones that could be better than everyone else's, and did I want to get involved? Over a few months, they brought in some test headphones, and they were sensational. I got involved with the design of the X and it's been amazing. I have really sensitive ears. You want something that's comfortable, nothing too harsh, and they just work."

The tech of The X Factor

Texting turned 20 years old this year — a practice popularized by Cowell's previous show, American Idol. "Texting is paramount. When I first started Idol, there was no Twitter, no Facebook and those two changed everything. We used to worry about what the critics say. Now, we go on the Twitter page to see what's really going on out there. You can change a show on a dime because of that. It's harsh, but a much better world to make shows in."

Live tweeting

Viewers love to tweet while watching The X Factor. His take? "I love it. It means they're interested and want to be a part of it. Going forward, you'll see much more integration with that kind of thing in the show."

His tweets

Cowell has 5.2 million followers, and likes to "just say whatever's on my mind. I have a couple of drinks, it all comes out. I can wake up in the morning and say, 'Oh, my God, what did I say last night?' But that's the fun of it."

Who he follows on Twitter

"I follow people who follow me. I try and follow maybe 100 new people every week."