Apple Releases New AirPods With 50% More Talk Time, Wireless Charging Case, Hands-Free 'Hey, Siri'
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Posted March 20, 2019 at 12:42pm by iClarified · 15997 views
Apple has released new AirPods with 50% more talk time, an optional wireless charging case, and hands-free 'Hey, Siri'.
The new Apple-designed H1 chip, developed specifically for headphones, delivers performance efficiencies, faster connect times, more talk time and the convenience of hands-free "Hey Siri.” AirPods come with either a standard charging case or a new Wireless Charging Case for convenient charging at home and on the go.
“AirPods delivered a magical wireless experience and have become one of the most beloved products we’ve ever made. They connect easily with all of your devices, and provide crystal clear sound and intuitive, innovative control of your music and audio,” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “The world’s best wireless headphones just got even better with the new AirPods. They are powered by the new Apple-designed H1 chip which brings an extra hour of talk time, faster connections, hands-free ‘Hey Siri’ and the convenience of a new wireless battery case.”
H1 Chip The new Apple-designed H1 chip features custom audio architecture to create a revolutionary audio experience and improved synchronization. H1 allows AirPods to deliver up to 50 percent more talk time compared to first generation AirPods. Switching between devices while listening to music on iPhone, Apple Watch or iPad is more seamless than ever with two times faster connect times. For the first time, AirPods now feature the convenience of “Hey Siri” making it easier to change songs, make a call, adjust the volume or get directions simply by saying, “Hey Siri.”
Wireless Charging Case The new AirPods come with either the standard charging case or the new Wireless Charging Case. Each case holds additional charges for more than 24 hours of total listening time, ensuring AirPods are charged and ready to go whenever you are. The Wireless Charging Case is designed to offer the freedom of wireless charging with Qi-compatible charging solutions. An LED light indicator located on the front of the case conveniently shows the charge status with just a glance. Existing AirPods customers can purchase the standalone Wireless Charging Case.
Pricing and Availability ● AirPods with standard charging case will be available for $159 (US) and are available to order on apple.com and the Apple Store app starting today, and in Apple Stores starting next week. ● AirPods with Wireless Charging Case will be available for $199 (US) and are available to order on apple.com and the Apple Store app starting today, and in Apple Stores starting next week. Customers can order the standalone Wireless Charging Case for $79 (US) on apple.com and the Apple Store app starting today, and in Apple Stores starting next week. ● New for AirPods, customers can add a personal engraving to the AirPods with standard charging case and AirPods with Wireless Charging Case for free during checkout on apple.com and the Apple Store app.
I Bought them after a couple of hours of thinking about it and then they changed the shipping date a week later to april 2-5 oh well I never owned airpods but still love my beats solo different uses for both
Going back and re-examining them, there is absolutely NO new features in the AirPods at all! The wireless charging and the extra life features only apply to the charging case, so there is NO reason for anyone to upgrade. Releasing them as a ‘new upgrade’ is a spurious, misleading claim.
Buy the charging case if you want, but at $79 a pop, that’s a lot to pay for a minor convenience. Otherwise, don’t ask me to ‘upgrade’ to the EXACT SAME device.
Again, I suspect Apple (under Cook) is once more playing marketing games rather than focusing on better design. I suspect, they’ll re-release the ‘all new’ all-new AirPods in a couple of months, after suckering everyone into purchasing the case (or the full product), and getting little for it. Even IF you want the new wireless charging, you’d best wait to purchase them both when they ACTUALLY release the NEW AirPods.
What design were you expecting them to use? Simply saying “Nothing new” doesn’t mean much, as the current design works MUCH better than any competing model, despite the other venders continually harping on its apparent flaws. Obviously the design, like the original iPhone, iPad or Mac’s, offers something valuable for users who continue clamoring for more.
My issue isn’t with the shape, or the fact they fit naturally, remain in place, while allowing me to hear what’s going on around me, instead that the modifications included in the upgrade just don’t warrant purchasing the SAME essential product which I already possess. That’s a value question, rather than a design or engineering issue. Likewise, claiming you won’t purchase ANY product until they’ve worked out all the bugs and will NEVER update implies you’ve also never purchased a book, used a pen, or keep any paper products.
Does anyone want to buy the first gen iPhone now? Of course not, how about the first gen iPad? Or the first gen Apple Watch? What about the second gen of those devices? Still no? Well in that case I’ll wait till it’s improved till there’s no need to upgrade it anymore then I’ll purchase it. Thanks but no thanks
I’m sorry, but Apple has built in product reluctance into their Air Pods. While $159 is pricey for ear phones, the Air Pods were a big enough upgrade, it was worth the cost for many, though it also drove many into the arms of their competitors. However, paying $159/$199 to replace a working product simply for a longer play and wireless charging will be a hard sell. It might convince those who haven’t adopted them yet, but Apple has purposely made upgrading regularly an unlikely prospect.
At $79, how many will just upgrade their charging case? $40 to add them to a new purchase is more reasonable, but still hard to justify for someone being too lazy to bother unplugging a cable-especially when leaving an electronic product charging indefinitely dramatically shortens its lifespan.