AirPods 2 With Grip Coating and AirPower Said to Launch This Spring

[Marco Klobas]

Interested in the "matte coating" as far as it will provide improved grip. Ear fitting/isolation probably won't be on the same level like regular silicon buds offer, though.

Glad to be proven wrong. Surprise me, Apple.

 

[tkukoc]

With the release of Airpower and its affiliation, it will turn out. With what connection, whether Lightning or USB-C, the new iPhones coming out this year.

I'm praying for a new phone with USB-C. I want to upgrade from my iPhones 6s for a long time.

No usb-c changes like that until next year. They aren’t ready to do a full swing change quite yet.

 

[djeeyore25]

Mine were ok up until about 3 months ago. It’s onlt been in the past few months that I’ve noticed the rapid decline in battery life.

Same. My AirPods were fine, then declined over a very short period of time. I thought I might have a defective pair but this seems to be a common occurrence.

 

[pat500000]

200 for same airpod battery right?

 

[magicschoolbus]

Better grip and wireless charging... you can buy a silicone case for your AirPods that gives them wireless charging....and also gives them grip

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

I didn't really plan on buying AirPods 2 but if they're grippy (and maybe stay in my ears?), I might have to.

Just as long as they still sound like Apple and not Beats. If I wanted to listen to my music through a wet blanket, I'd listen to my music through a wet blanket.

 

[colmaclean]

The only guaranteed upgrade will be the price.

 

[doctor-don]

Apparently, someone at Apple finally tried to get the AirPods out of their case. Now we have a special matte coating to increase grip. That should have been done on the first release.

 

[macguru212]

Wish they had an in ear version with silicone tips

Absolutely. Earbuds don't cut it with my ears. Aside from the sound leakage issues, there's a small matter of the things falling out all the time.

 

[AppleHaterLover]

For what they are it's not that bad. There is room for improvement of course since other headphone makers have shown that it is possible to get great bass and sound quality on a tiny earpiece.

For what they are? $170 earphones with garbage sound are now acceptable?

Sennheiser is crying in the corner.

 

[IRockThat828pScreen]

both the earbuds and case will include a special matte coating to enhance grip, similar to a coating used on the glass back of Google's Pixel 3 phone.​

God i hope it's not the same coating as the Pixel 3. That means a damn patch of alpaca wool could scratch it.

 

[bbednarz]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...The forbidden word in Ive's Kingdom...

You do know the iPhone has actually gotten thicker in recent years, right?

 

[Shanghaichica]

I didn't really plan on buying AirPods 2 but if they're grippy (and maybe stay in my ears?), I might have to.

Just as long as they still sound like Apple and not Beats. If I wanted to listen to my music through a wet blanket, I'd listen to my music through a wet blanket.

Glad I’m not the only one who dislikes beats. I bought a pair of beats solo headphones a few years ago. Not only were they uncomfortable but they sounded muffled and muddy. I couldn’t give them away. It was a relief last year when my husband broke them through carelessness.

 

[bbednarz]

For what they are? $170 earphones with garbage sound are now acceptable?

Sennheiser is crying in the corner.

I'm not paying for audiophile level sound quality. I am paying for the convenience of them.

 

[Scottsoapbox]

Every time I see someone vehemently defending airpods' sound quality, I wonder if they have ever tried a pair of non-Apple headphones of similar price. But as I teach in my business strategy course, product differentiation is based on customer perception not reality.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Every time I see someone vehemently defending airpods' sound quality, I wonder if they have ever tried a pair of non-Apple headphones of similar price. But as I teach in my business strategy course, product differentiation is based on customer perception not reality.

I’ve not used non apple headphones for the same price but I’ve used cheaper ones and they sounded better. However as others have already pointed out it’s not entirely about the sound quality. It’s about the unique features of the AirPods. The sound quality is acceptable.

 

[MacBH928]

$200 earphones? No thanks. The $30 wired ones were a bit expensive for me...

AirPods have always been hard to get, but it's getting ridiculous! We just went to China to visit in-laws and had to bring some Apple goodies (a tradition of sorts for us) - this year it was to be AirPods. Went to 2 Apple stores (TWICE!) but didn't have any!. Then we tried Target - nada - and a couple Walmarts. We finally got lucky because the person at the second Walmart was on the phone with a dude in a third and asked them for us. Turned out that one had 5 pairs left. We snarfed up 3.

My AirPods are going on 2 years now and I've definitely noticed reduced charge on the pods - I barely get an hour out of them when, I think, it used to be 2. Might just have to bequeath them to my daughter once the new ones come out

Hard to get product, is better than a product widely available infested with flaws and manufacturing errors. Trust me...

 

[ryanwarsaw]

The same original AirPods you love with improved sound at the same price. One more thing.... meet the new AirPod Pro available in black at only $199 truly a thing of beauty.

 

[bbednarz]

Every time I see someone vehemently defending airpods' sound quality, I wonder if they have ever tried a pair of non-Apple headphones of similar price. But as I teach in my business strategy course, product differentiation is based on customer perception not reality.

People aren't buying AirPods for sound quality. They are extremely convenient and comfortable. Working out with them is great. They sound fine for what they are. I have never used them and been upset with the sound quality.

 

[err404]

These can’t come soon enough. I lost my launch pair last week (Left at cafe. Gone when I returned). I am amazed by how much I miss them. I may jump the gun and re-buy the old version again anyway.

 

[Arctic Moose]

Your comparison is not even remotely related to my post. The iPhone is updated annually, the AirPods is not. This is an accessory to the iPhone, that’s likely on a two-year release cycle, there’s no reason for Apple to offer the first GEN AirPods for sale next to the latest version of the AirPods whenever they are offered. Again, It will only detract away from sales, being there is only one other version offered, they likely will discontinue the first Gen AirPods, with the announcement of the second GEN AirPods, whenever that is.

It is very much related to your post. I am not sure what the release cycle has to do with this, but whatever. The Apple TV is updated roughly every other year. The 2015 Apple TV is still for sale. The iPad Pro is not on an annual release cycle, and the 10.5" is still available, even though the plain old iPad is available as a budget option for anyone not willing to pay for the 11".

Apple hasn't been able to catch up with demand for over two years. If Apple expects similar production issues and constrained component supply for an updated version it would make perfect sense to keep the current ones around at the same price and introduce a new version at a higher price where they can actually meet demand.

 

[jarman92]

Nonsense...there is no reason for Apple to make AirPods in any other color than white, and very good reasons they shouldn’t.

 

[MacBH928]

Every time I see someone vehemently defending airpods' sound quality, I wonder if they have ever tried a pair of non-Apple headphones of similar price. But as I teach in my business strategy course, product differentiation is based on customer perception not reality.

I just wanted to say I am impressed on how you have summed that up... this is extremely true. Its the idea in the head of the consumer...

 

[Onexy]

Price increase, lul

 

[psylence2k]

Never tried the air pods, just remember a few of the lukewarm reviews on their "okay" sound quality and low battery life for a bluetooth headset when they first released so I just passed on them.

So I was surprised when I started seeing them EVERYWHERE. It's crazy how fast they caught on for a $159 bluetooth headset.

The trendy look + wireless convenience + charging case + Apple recognition really made these things blow up like crazy despite the okay sound quality and battery life (from what I heard).