“Apple Inc., seeking to bolster its wearables business, is working on upgrades to its wireless AirPods headphones, according to people familiar with the matter.,” Mark Gurman reports for Bloomberg. “Apple intends to frequently update the AirPods with new hardware features. The Cupertino, California-based technology giant is working on a new version for release as soon as this year with an upgraded wireless chip, the people said. A subsequent model for as early as next year is planned to be water resistant, they added, asking not to be identified discussing private product plans.”
“The model coming as early as this year will let people summon Apple’s Siri digital assistant without physically tapping the headphones by saying ‘Hey Siri,'” Gurman reports. “The idea for the water-resistant model is for the headphones to survive splashes of water and rain, the people said. They likely won’t be designed to be submerged in water.”
“Since launch, AirPods have been considered one of the top-performing Apple products and have resonated with both reviewers and consumers,” Gurman reports. “The product helped take wireless headphones mainstream… AirPods accounted for 85 percent of the money spent in the U.S. on wireless headphones since they debuted, research firm NPD Group estimated last year.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: The raft of cheap knockoff AirPods (check them out on Amazon) are testament to AirPods’ massive popularity.
As for upgrades, we just want a charge indicator on <exterior of our AirPods' case! Everything else about the current product is flawless.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Fred Mertz” and “Dan K” for the heads up.]
Well, I wish the lag with Airpods were better, and that’s what Apple may do this year.
Devin Prater Assistive Technology Instructor certified by World Services for the Blind JAWS certified
>
AirPods currently work with “Hey SIRI”. In this scenario, there is no lag.
MDN: Everything else about the current product is flawless.
…except for the 20%+ longer delay in them than in other bluetooth audio monitors on the market.
BS.
BS how? It’s what I’ve experienced, and here’s just one article on the subject:
https://www.podfeet.com/blog/2016/12/airpods-lag-or-no-lag/
The source she cites:
https://stephencoyle.net/airpods/
The source’s raw data:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LsFNYIC2OdD_j1WHU3aFdObYObnRBZTNsfgQWYorF_Q/edit#gid=706731385
b/c I won’t buy b/c of fit. Poor fit is a big flaw and I must be still/hardly moving for them to stay put. I purchased the “rubbers” that help for wired version, but this goofy accessory can’t be on the Airpods while charging and removal for each charge would be desperate.
I wear one of a number of headsets every day while working/working out and these “cheap Amonzon” products do a pretty fine job. In my opinion, this is one product aspect where hubris, or lack of awareness (doubt it), where Apple product-blind. This is not to say the solutions seen on other buds should be adopted by Apple, but it shows other companies demonstrate “one-size-fits-all” isn’t a reality. Apple/Tim…how ’bout it?
AirPods already work with the “Hey SIRI” call sign. In fact, they work better when invoking “Hey SIRI” versus double tapping because you can say “Hey SIRI” and follow with the command without having to wait for SIRI to activate.
Double tapping rarely works for me, if it doesn’t work the first or second time, I ignore it. I don’t even try it anymore. Good tip about “Hey Siri” while wearing them, I will give it a try.
••Apple AirPods – cheap knockoffs!••
2018-02 on Amazon – thanks MDN ; )
http://amzn.to/2CC0zre
• partial list of deceptive brands that copy design literally (from original 2016-10 $159):
Alisak ($17.34)
EarBuddyz ($9.95 case)
Tutor ($10.99 case)
KDLmall ($9.99 case)
GEJIN ($30) + Lisiwen ($38.99)
Gasira ($29.99)
Qikmonk ($59.99)
QERY ($17.99)
Hiemao ($52.90)
DYTOK ($33.99)
Alisak ($29.99)
Hiemao ($62.99)
Namarajda ($57.99)
zinat ($57.99)
Vafru ($49.99)
Ficken ($19.84 – asian brand? btw ficken in German means fucking!)
etc!
How about a black or space gray option?
That would be nice. You can buy the skin at the moment but in Apple’s thinking, white is easier to find than gray or black for such a small device.
ColorWare will custom paint you AirPods- for a price.
So. I’ve been waiting to buy AirPods until the long-promised new charging case is released. 💤💤
And now I have an incentive to wait until an upgraded version of AirPods is released. 💤💤
Bleeding Edge Tech First World Problems.
I’m fine with my Lightening EarPods until… whenever.
I’ve been seeing increased usage at my local 24hr fitness when I go there in the early morning.
Just today, I’ve seen about 5 people wearing an Airpods. I think it’s becoming much appreciated now.
I still check in the mirror now and then to see how I look like wearing one though 😂
I will buy a second pair if it is black.
These are definitely the best wireless in ear headphones I had used. Sound quality is great and battery life good.
FYI, my pair has already proven to be waterproof. They accidentally went the washer and dryer when I forgot to take them out of my pocket after a walk. They are truly a great product from Apple.
As someone who suffers from Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and needs hearing aids to compensate, I have found Apple’s AirPods to be a gift from heaven. Even with hearing aids that bolster the missed frequencies, I still struggle to understand what people are saying in movies and on TV let alone real life. Being able to watch Apple TV (and Mac, iPad, & iPhone) allows me to receive direct input via AirPods and forgo having to crank up the speakers. Even when editing video in Adobe Premiere and Audition, the AirPods sync with just a minor degree of wait time. I teared up telling the Apple kid to protect his hearing because you truly do not know what you miss until it’s gone. There is no cure for Tinnitus, but until there is you can use Apple AirPods for the next best thing.
Seeing Apple’s excitement over adding Siri to everything it becomes clear – they truly don’t realize how bad Siri sucks. I’ve all but give up using it because unless I’m speaking my words slowly and annunciating everything super deliberately (kinda like Kevin from REO Speedwagon’s singing) it gets my requests wrong probably 90% of the time. For as long as Siri has been a product the lack of improvement is beyond ridiculous.
Thanks for sharing Gordon. The Airpod’s usage to better hear conversations over crowd noise in resraraunts was demonstrated in an early AirPod ad video.
I find if I take them off, but just set on the desk or drop them in my pocket (outside the case), then half or more of the time when I try to use them an hour or two later the batteries will have completely died. I thought they’re supposed to know they’re not in your ears, and shut off to save battery? And it’s not like they’re even playing audio while out of my ears. But somehow the batteries still die. Of course, it’s even worse if I leave the little third-party rubber wings on them (that make them not fit into the case). So, frustrating and I would not say everything but the lack of battery indicator on the outside of the case is “flawless.” Still, they sound great and look great and I love not having wires, and for me stay connected better than other Bluetooth options I’ve tried. Not bad for a first generation product, and I look forward to the the improved versions.