Apple having trouble syncing audio between wireless AirPods - report
Continued delays for Apple's completely wireless AirPods headphones are reportedly related to troubles in syncing audio between the two separate earpieces, according to a new report.
Citing a person familiar with development of the AirPods, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that Apple's stumbling block is the wireless connectivity between the left and right parts.
Unlike with most headphones, Apple's AirPods are completely wireless, with each earpiece unattached to the other. This requires the two parts to stay in sync, otherwise stereo sound would become disorienting.
In addition, the same person reportedly said that beyond audio sync issues, Apple is also still working out what to do when a user loses one of the AirPods, or if the battery dies in just one of the units.
First announced alongside the iPhone 7 in September, Apple's AirPods were originally due to launch in October. But Apple missed that launch window, and has since said that the headphones will debut later this year.
AppleInsider's own sources said in November that AirPods remained on track to launch before the end of 2016. With with more than a week down in the month of December, Apple's window for launch before Christmas and the start of 2017 is dwindling.
Certain selected reviewers were provided AirPods by Apple back in September. And retail stores around the country already have demo units onhand awaiting a launch.
The latest indications could suggest that those units in the wild may need a software update to address nagging problems related to syncing the wireless earpieces.
Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook allegedly sent an email to a customer in late November telling them to expect AirPods to begin shipping in the "next few weeks."
Apple's AirPods, Powerbeats 3, Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones all feature a the Apple-designed W1 chip that makes it easier to pair with multiple Apple devices. In addition to the W1, AirPods also include beam-forming microphones, accelerometers, infrared sensors, and a small charging and carrying case that will provide more power on the go as well as the mechanism to sync with the iPhone 7.
Citing a person familiar with development of the AirPods, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that Apple's stumbling block is the wireless connectivity between the left and right parts.
Unlike with most headphones, Apple's AirPods are completely wireless, with each earpiece unattached to the other. This requires the two parts to stay in sync, otherwise stereo sound would become disorienting.
In addition, the same person reportedly said that beyond audio sync issues, Apple is also still working out what to do when a user loses one of the AirPods, or if the battery dies in just one of the units.
First announced alongside the iPhone 7 in September, Apple's AirPods were originally due to launch in October. But Apple missed that launch window, and has since said that the headphones will debut later this year.
AppleInsider's own sources said in November that AirPods remained on track to launch before the end of 2016. With with more than a week down in the month of December, Apple's window for launch before Christmas and the start of 2017 is dwindling.
Certain selected reviewers were provided AirPods by Apple back in September. And retail stores around the country already have demo units onhand awaiting a launch.
The latest indications could suggest that those units in the wild may need a software update to address nagging problems related to syncing the wireless earpieces.
Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook allegedly sent an email to a customer in late November telling them to expect AirPods to begin shipping in the "next few weeks."
Apple's AirPods, Powerbeats 3, Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones all feature a the Apple-designed W1 chip that makes it easier to pair with multiple Apple devices. In addition to the W1, AirPods also include beam-forming microphones, accelerometers, infrared sensors, and a small charging and carrying case that will provide more power on the go as well as the mechanism to sync with the iPhone 7.
Comments
Apple is going the extra mile to cover edge cases and avoid bad press. It's exactly the sort of thing people carry on about when non-issues like antennagate and bendgate crop up. You should be glad.
This seems almost Dilbertesque.
Pointy-haired boss: Get rid of that cord, it looks sloppy!
Engineer: We can't do that. We need the wire to keep the...
PHB: Of course you can! see? [snip]. By the way, I've announced that these will ship in 2 months.
In any case this story makes more sense than the theory about manufacturing challenges. Hope they solve the problem soon, but I'm not optimistic.
OTOH I am happy they are taking the time to get this right .
On the positive side, it's far better for Apple to work out this chink BEFORE the Air Pods are released, both to quell potential customer complaints/class action suits, and to perfect the technology in order to solidify any new patents involved, thereby distancing and proofing themselves further from the inevitable copy cats.
On another positive side, while I'm waiting, myself, for the Air Pods, I bought a pair of PowerBeats3 Wireless which I really like. They're noticeably better than PowerBeats2 which I had used for years. There's no fragile little flap over the charging port, the signal doesn't cut out when I turn my head (with my iPhone in my front pants pocket on the opposite side from the PowerBeats antenna), the charge lasts longer, and Bluetooth switching between devices (iPhone, iMac, AppleTV, Apple Watch) is a snap! You don't have to disconnect one device before connecting the new one.
I also solved the problem of the wire always binding up around my neck and collar: I run it in FRONT of my neck and between the top two buttons of my shirt. There's plenty of slack that way so as not to restrict my head movements, and I can simply take them out when I want to and let them dangle on my chest.
The Air Pods are still intriguing to me, assuming that they'll stay in my ears securely. I like the idea of being able to use just one at times.
My ears are pretty good, far above average, and I can hear the slightest delays, down to the millisecond. That is one reason that I have long been skeptical towards wireless sound.
Can you imagine what a nightmare it would be if the L and R are not perfect in sync? There would be all sorts of phasing issues and sound would not be reproduced accurately anymore.
I'm exploring various MFI hearing aids for my father. Any recommendations? I'm particularly concerned about battery life.