Apple gets it right, again...no loopy neck wires, charging in the box, able to use one at a time. If you have to have music doing anything, they look worth it!
It's right, but with one mistake: it needs a loop add-on for around the ear guarantee.
These will be a tough sell. Especially when you can get three versions of Beats Wireless in roughly that price range that have volume/FF/Pause/Play controls, connect each bud to the other by a cord, have over-the-ear clasps to hold it in place, and longer battery life. Assuming of course that they share the new 'Connect' feature without having to fuss around with a BT list in Settings.
Do the Beats, and other brands, include a microphone?
I think a microphone is going to become very important!
Apple didn't announce a capability that I hoped to see (hear, actually)... Well, maybe next year
He didn't really say anything about the sound quality. I'm going to be very interested to hear the reviews on these. I was really hoping for them to gush about the audio quality improvements made over BT, so this is not promising that we're going to get BT 5, or anything better audio wise than 4.1 compression. No mention of AAC or other quality improvements. Odd.
I don't hate these, but I don't love these either. Not sure I would wear them. I also wonder what accessories come in the box with them in terms of lanyards, etc.
Gotta say I was hoping for a lot more from Apple in removing the headphone jack. Still too early to tell until we get teardowns, and other specs for everything announced today.
In three years time, the battery life will be down to 2.5 hrs. At 4 years you throw $160 in the bin because you will not be able to replace the batteries.
These will be a tough sell. Especially when you can get three versions of Beats Wireless in roughly that price range that have volume/FF/Pause/Play controls, connect each bud to the other by a cord, have over-the-ear clasps to hold it in place, and longer battery life. Assuming of course that they share the new 'Connect' feature without having to fuss around with a BT list in Settings.
as an office jockey that takes a lot of calls, i don't need physical play controls -- these are perfect. will replace the EarPods i use for calls today.
From the presentation, it sounded like (no pun intended) that the wireless technology was something other than Bluetooth, which made me curious as to compatibility with other Apple products...
Turns out it is Bluetooth, and works on most devices, but a note (1) says "Requires an iCloud account and macOS Sierra, iOS 10, or watchOS 3." I get the OS version requirement, but the iCloud account requirement is interesting. I guess that's how connecting to just one device more or less automatically makes the connection with all other devices?
The fact that the earpods hold 5 hours of charge and the case holds 24 hours of charge, and both can be charged at the same time... that's brilliant.
My only worry is about how easy it'll be to lose one of them. At one point during the presentation, Phil showed another product ( a sports earbuds thing?) where the two sides were connected by a short wire. For individual earpieces, that seems smart.
I assume a future generation of Earpods will have some sort of GPS so that if you lose one, your iPhone can find it.
I prefer wireless buds that are connected by a wire.
Except the wire does a marvelous job of maintaining a constant tug on them and dragging them out of your ears. With buds as light as these will be, simply wouldn't work out.
But I have no doubt there will be dozens of 3rd party accessories made just for this purpose.
Apple gets it right, again...no loopy neck wires, charging in the box, able to use one at a time. If you have to have music doing anything, they look worth it!
It's right, but with one mistake: it needs a loop add-on for around the ear guarantee.
No mistake. There will be accessories for those who want that.
Apple gets it right, again...no loopy neck wires, charging in the box, able to use one at a time. If you have to have music doing anything, they look worth it!
It's right, but with one mistake: it needs a loop add-on for around the ear guarantee.
thats not a mistake, it's a choice. these aren't active wear...theyre perfect for casual use cases. there are other designs available under Beats, with loops.
it really is hard to believe you ever worked for them with your attitude toward right & wrong decisions and pretty constant armchair designing.
In three years time, the battery life will be down to 2.5 hrs. At 4 years you throw $160 in the bin because you will not be able to replace the batteries.
That's what I did with Bluetooth headset before...Jabbra time!
Would love an in ear version too. That EarPod design just does not like my ears at all. Constantly falls out. But, this is extremely impressive and I can't wait to see how they work. Great price too, I was expecting way more than that.
Agree. In-ear with some kind of foam or silicone ear tips would be ideal. Still, I'd get the one-size AirPods just to get rid of any and all earpiece wires. I even hate that wire between the Jaybird earpieces.
Comments
Do the Beats, and other brands, include a microphone?
I think a microphone is going to become very important!
Apple didn't announce a capability that I hoped to see (hear, actually)... Well, maybe next year
I don't hate these, but I don't love these either. Not sure I would wear them. I also wonder what accessories come in the box with them in terms of lanyards, etc.
Gotta say I was hoping for a lot more from Apple in removing the headphone jack. Still too early to tell until we get teardowns, and other specs for everything announced today.
...AirPods will be perfect, especially since i often shift from iPhone to iPod to mac, etc..
and maybe a sportier pair for the gym depending on how they hold.
as an office jockey that takes a lot of calls, i don't need physical play controls -- these are perfect. will replace the EarPods i use for calls today.
Answers here:
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEF2AM/A/airpods
Turns out it is Bluetooth, and works on most devices, but a note (1) says "Requires an iCloud account and macOS Sierra, iOS 10, or watchOS 3." I get the OS version requirement, but the iCloud account requirement is interesting. I guess that's how connecting to just one device more or less automatically makes the connection with all other devices?
But I have no doubt there will be dozens of 3rd party accessories made just for this purpose.
No mistake. There will be accessories for those who want that.
it really is hard to believe you ever worked for them with your attitude toward right & wrong decisions and pretty constant armchair designing.
Agree. In-ear with some kind of foam or silicone ear tips would be ideal.
Still, I'd get the one-size AirPods just to get rid of any and all earpiece wires.
I even hate that wire between the Jaybird earpieces.