Apple's AirPods are apparently delayed due to a manufacturing issue and not a technical problem as recently reported.
A recent WSJ report suggested the problem the with the AirPods was a getting the independent signals to both earbuds to remain in sync. The well sourced John Gruber of DaringFireball debunked that claim.
It makes more sense to me that Apple has run into a manufacturing problem, not that they discovered a design defect after they were announced. “More difficult to manufacture at scale than expected” is also what I’ve heard through the grapevine, from a little birdie who knows someone on the AirPods engineering team. Things like what happens when you lose one or the battery dies — Apple solved those problems during development.
Gruber also followed up on that report noting that another 'little birdie' has confirmed the same thing, an 'unexpected manufacturing problem at scale'.
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Comments (5)
Comments are closed for this article.
0
Charlies Mix - December 11, 2016 at 1:09pm
So if the AirPods will be delayed, I am guessing that the Beats BeatsX (probably a better earphone) will be delayed as well. I always thought that the BeatsX would not be released until Apple has sold "x" amount of AirPod units. That is a shame; I was looking forward to owning a pair of the Beats.
0
D4xM4Nx - December 11, 2016 at 11:54am
No doubt Apple dropped the ball going all out announcing the AirPods launch and failing to do so at last minute... At least it didn't turn into another Galaxy Note 7 fiasco AND they pulled back without pretentious ETAs.
0
Bostondiesel - December 11, 2016 at 6:08pm
That's right
0
gamerscul9870 - December 10, 2016 at 7:06pm
I'm looking towards these headphones. These beautiful EarPods I still love and own to this very day still do me justice and they fit my ears just fine and I'm on my 2nd pair even since I owned the 6s. I'll be getting a 7 eventually and look forward to the EarPods stepping up the game. What happened to beats though? Apple is making over the ear headphones just like that, but better and it's still has the same design as if it was made by beats.
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PerpetuallyBlue - December 11, 2016 at 1:53am
Meh! Those always fall off my ears. Maybe I have deformed earlobes. That must be it.
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