AirPods were a natural evolution of the wired EarPods that were an iconic wearable; Apple even ran a bunch of silhouetted advertisements for years that highlighted the white wired EarPods that differentiated themselves over the black over-ear headphones of the late Eighties and Nineties (Sony Walkman et al).
The noise cancelling AirPods Pro really were the game changed since they added the ANC functionality to a pair of pocketable wireless earbuds that previously were the domain of bulky over-ear headphones like the Bose QuietComfort.
Anyone who has spent time in any metropolis will get it. ANC earbuds are a godsend on public transportation, particularly commuter rail. Many Americans don't get it but Londoners, Parisians, Tokyoites, etc. totally do. ANC earbuds are an effective way to minimize much of the noise-related fatigue from trains, buses, etc. I wear my AirPods Pro (original version) on airplane flights even if I'm not listening to music solely for the ANC property.
Heck, I put them on several times a week at home when the gardeners at my place are running their leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, weed whackers, lawn mowers, etc. Again, I don't need to be listening to music; the ANC benefits are myriad. When the gardeners have moved out of earshot 15-20 minutes later, I take them out. And no sweaty, achy ears like with over-the-ear ANC headphones.
And yes, I own a pair of Bose QuietComforts. I haven't used them since I got the AirPods Pro (almost five years ago). I hate all headphones; they hurt my ears and I've tried about 6-7 pairs.
It's true that the original AirPods tend to fall out pretty easily. Their design is very similar to the wired EarPods that came with iPhones, iPods, etc. But the silicon-tipped AirPods Pro are a completely different story. A snug fit is required for proper ANC functionality. With the multiple sized silicon tips, my guess is that 90% of adult humans can find something that works.
But indeed for anyone who grew up using headphones, earphones, earbuds for personal music listening can understand the value of wireless earbuds, especially those who use public transit on a regular basis.
AI said: Apple was criticized for its September 7, 2016 unveiling of the AirPods, because it was the end of the headphone jack
The headphone jack managed to hang on for a good while after the AirPods first debuted.
The single biggest criticism I saw came from posters in forums like this, as well as this one:
People wearing them look dorky/stupid etc., ad nauseam. I couldn't believe how many posts ranted and raved about how people looked. Maybe a year later they were ubiquitous. And coincidentally "true wireless" earbuds started showing up everywhere. Where are they now? Waiting for the Next New Thing so they can be the first to offer baseless critical gems like "round watches are stupid".
Ok Rudy Giuliani did manage to look dorky wearing AirPods but that was a cry for help and not the fault of the AirPods.
AirPods didn’t change the world. Stop the hyperbole.
You need to get out in the world more often. Travel anywhere on Earth where people are listening to music on the go and almost everyone is listening wirelessly. AirPods did that. They changed the way the world listens to music, and if that's not changing the world, I don't know what is.
"Nobody even remembers the Lighting to headphone adapter"
Not true at all. My wife has yet to find a wireless, in-ear headphone that she finds comfortable and will stay in her ear while even simple walking, never mind a real workout.
She has a Lightning and a USB C to headphone jack so she can use her wired headphones with her phone or iPad.
And I do still see other people with them occasionally, for whatever reason.
The reason is simple. Some people still own and use wired headphones of all quality levels that they want to plug into their portable Apple devices. I also have the USB-C to headphone adapters. No big deal.
Nothing against the AirPods/AirPods Pro at all. I have two pairs of Pros and they are fantastic devices and are extremely versatile and easy to carry along with you at any time. They continue to improve with updates and upgrades. Unfortunately, like many of Apple's products they are born with a terminal disease called embedded batteries. At some point the embedded batteries no longer charge. Battery transplant or device replacement is an option as long as the devices are still being supported, but at some point they have no practical value and get canned, preferably into a recycling stream.
I'm still using wired headphones today that I bought 10-20+ years ago and they sound as good today as they did when I bought them. I've had to replace some ear pads and headband covers over the years but that's not a big deal. If I'm using wired headphones at home or at my desk the wires are generally not a problem for me. If they are, I'll pop in the AirPods. As long as the music sounds good and I can connect with it, I'm happy. That's what really matters to me. Audio playback gadgetry and technical wizardry will always arrive, evolve, and go obsolete over time, but good music can last forever.
Comments
The noise cancelling AirPods Pro really were the game changed since they added the ANC functionality to a pair of pocketable wireless earbuds that previously were the domain of bulky over-ear headphones like the Bose QuietComfort.
Anyone who has spent time in any metropolis will get it. ANC earbuds are a godsend on public transportation, particularly commuter rail. Many Americans don't get it but Londoners, Parisians, Tokyoites, etc. totally do. ANC earbuds are an effective way to minimize much of the noise-related fatigue from trains, buses, etc. I wear my AirPods Pro (original version) on airplane flights even if I'm not listening to music solely for the ANC property.
Heck, I put them on several times a week at home when the gardeners at my place are running their leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, weed whackers, lawn mowers, etc. Again, I don't need to be listening to music; the ANC benefits are myriad. When the gardeners have moved out of earshot 15-20 minutes later, I take them out. And no sweaty, achy ears like with over-the-ear ANC headphones.
And yes, I own a pair of Bose QuietComforts. I haven't used them since I got the AirPods Pro (almost five years ago). I hate all headphones; they hurt my ears and I've tried about 6-7 pairs.
It's true that the original AirPods tend to fall out pretty easily. Their design is very similar to the wired EarPods that came with iPhones, iPods, etc. But the silicon-tipped AirPods Pro are a completely different story. A snug fit is required for proper ANC functionality. With the multiple sized silicon tips, my guess is that 90% of adult humans can find something that works.
But indeed for anyone who grew up using headphones, earphones, earbuds for personal music listening can understand the value of wireless earbuds, especially those who use public transit on a regular basis.
The headphone jack managed to hang on for a good while after the AirPods first debuted.
The single biggest criticism I saw came from posters in forums like this, as well as this one:
People wearing them look dorky/stupid etc., ad nauseam. I couldn't believe how many posts ranted and raved about how people looked. Maybe a year later they were ubiquitous. And coincidentally "true wireless" earbuds started showing up everywhere. Where are they now? Waiting for the Next New Thing so they can be the first to offer baseless critical gems like "round watches are stupid".
Ok Rudy Giuliani did manage to look dorky wearing AirPods but that was a cry for help and not the fault of the AirPods.
Nothing against the AirPods/AirPods Pro at all. I have two pairs of Pros and they are fantastic devices and are extremely versatile and easy to carry along with you at any time. They continue to improve with updates and upgrades. Unfortunately, like many of Apple's products they are born with a terminal disease called embedded batteries. At some point the embedded batteries no longer charge. Battery transplant or device replacement is an option as long as the devices are still being supported, but at some point they have no practical value and get canned, preferably into a recycling stream.
I'm still using wired headphones today that I bought 10-20+ years ago and they sound as good today as they did when I bought them. I've had to replace some ear pads and headband covers over the years but that's not a big deal. If I'm using wired headphones at home or at my desk the wires are generally not a problem for me. If they are, I'll pop in the AirPods. As long as the music sounds good and I can connect with it, I'm happy. That's what really matters to me. Audio playback gadgetry and technical wizardry will always arrive, evolve, and go obsolete over time, but good music can last forever.