Apple this week launched the AirPods, its answer to the plethora of wireless earphones that are quickly replacing the wired variety.
Apple this week introduced AirPods, innovative new wireless headphones that use advanced technology for listening to music, make phone calls, enjoy TV shows and movies, play games and interact with Siri.
Like many of its competitors, AirPods eliminate the hassles of wireless headphones. However, it simplifies the process: by flipping open the lid of its charging case and with one tap, they are instantly set up to work with the iPhone and Apple Watch.
Apple says advanced sensors know when the user is listening and automatically play and pause the music. It is equippd with a new ultra-low power Apple W1 chip, which enables AirPods to deliver high-quality audio and battery life in a wireless design. AirPods will be available starting in late October.
“AirPods are the first headphones to deliver a breakthrough wireless audio experience, and with the new Apple W1 chip they deliver innovative features including high quality sound, great battery life and automatic setup,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “AirPods are simple and magical to use, with no switches or buttons, automatically connecting to all your Apple devices simply and seamlessly, and letting you access Siri with just a double tap. We can’t wait for users to try them with iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2.”
Apple provided the following information:
With AirPods, setting up and using wireless headphones has never been easier. Just open the charging case near your iPhone and with a simple tap, AirPods are immediately set up with all the devices signed into your iCloud account, including your iPad and Mac. AirPods are connected and ready to go when you are, just put them in your ears when you want to listen. AirPods can intelligently and seamlessly switch from a call on your iPhone to listening to music on your Apple Watch.
The all new Apple W1 chip enables the groundbreaking innovations in AirPods, with dual optical sensors and accelerometers in each AirPod that work with the W1 chip to detect when AirPods are in your ear, so they only play when you are ready to listen. Simply remove them to automatically pause the music, or just remove one to have a conversation and automatically resume when you put it back. Access Siri with a double tap to your AirPods to select and control your music, change the volume, check your battery life or perform any other Siri task. An additional accelerometer in each AirPod detects when you’re speaking, enabling a pair of beam-forming microphones to focus on the sound of your voice, filtering out external noise to make your voice sound clearer than ever before.
The ultra-low power Apple W1 chip operates at one-third of the power of traditional wireless chips, enabling AirPods to deliver up to 5 hours of listening time on one charge. The custom-designed charging case holds additional charges, for an industry-leading more than 24 hours of total listening time,* ensuring AirPods are charged and ready to go whenever you are.
Pricing & Availability
• The new Apple-designed wireless AirPods including charging case will be available for $159 from Apple.com and Apple Stores beginning in late October.
• AirPods require Apple devices running iOS 10, watchOS 3 or macOS Sierra.