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AirPods 3 Ready to Launch and Likely to Be Announced at Apple Event Next Week, Analyst Says
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I’m hoping Apple surprises me with major improvements because the AirPods line is absolute garbage.
In terms of fit, sound quality, ANC, and build quality there are so many better alternatives at far cheaper prices.
And headphones are a fairly independent form of tech. There’s not much ecosystem benefit. Only Siri, which is again trash compared to the competition.
In terms of quality AirPods are a far greater failure than HomePod. But whereas HomePod was cancelled AirPods have thrived despite their massive failings due to their public visibility and the pivot of Apple as a fashion brand.
In terms of fit, sound quality, ANC, and build quality there are so many better alternatives at far cheaper prices.
And headphones are a fairly independent form of tech. There’s not much ecosystem benefit. Only Siri, which is again trash compared to the competition.
In terms of quality AirPods are a far greater failure than HomePod. But whereas HomePod was cancelled AirPods have thrived despite their massive failings due to their public visibility and the pivot of Apple as a fashion brand.
I wonder if these will have head-tracking. Without it they maintain the same differentiation WRT the AirPod Pro.
On the other hand, adding head tracking increases synergy with Apple Music's support for Dolby Atmos which improves differentiation WRT less expensive non-apple true wireless stereo earbuds, which could sell more AirPods. Selling more AirPods increases the opportunity to upsell/upgrade people to AirPods Pro on the basis of active noise cancellation + transparency mode.
In addition, the presence of cheaper AirPods with head-tracking improves Apple Music's differentiation WRT Spotify and other music streaming services, which could bring and retain more Apple Music subscribers and the recurring revenue that comes with them. More Apple Music subscribers in turn is an opportunity to upsell/upgrade them to an Apple One subscription.
All of which draw people further into the Apple ecosystem.
On the other hand, adding head tracking increases synergy with Apple Music's support for Dolby Atmos which improves differentiation WRT less expensive non-apple true wireless stereo earbuds, which could sell more AirPods. Selling more AirPods increases the opportunity to upsell/upgrade people to AirPods Pro on the basis of active noise cancellation + transparency mode.
In addition, the presence of cheaper AirPods with head-tracking improves Apple Music's differentiation WRT Spotify and other music streaming services, which could bring and retain more Apple Music subscribers and the recurring revenue that comes with them. More Apple Music subscribers in turn is an opportunity to upsell/upgrade them to an Apple One subscription.
All of which draw people further into the Apple ecosystem.
When do you think that pivot occurred? It's not like that's been a recent addition to the brand.
Apple has invested in "industrial" design since the first Mac, if not before. Mac (and NeXT) were differentiated in part based on appealing to people's design sensibilities (including being favored by actual graphic designers). The first iMac and iBook were really the first mass-market computing devices that gave people to distinguish themselves visually. iPod marketing emphasized the iconic white earbuds and tied it to expression of personal identity via ones music, and people derided and dismissed the iPod because of it.
They would get away with Charging AirPods 3 $249 and keep $199 for AirPods 2 if they choose to do so. I would not be surprised if that happens.I hope they didn’t ruin the fit and feel from gen 1/2
I also hope they don’t decide these should now be $199 to start, while leaving gen 2 there at $159...
...which now that I say it out loud..
..feels EXACTLY like what bean counter Tim will do
What Kind of inventory Apple have for these. Going to be 5 weeks right after launch? Have had plenty of time to built up stock if wanted.
I literally had a dream about stemless AirPods Pro being introduced last night. Literally. I’ve had AirPods for years, I’m not spending $159 on another pair. I will HAPPILY spend $249 on their next Pros. If the rumor consensus is to be trusted, buying a pair now would just be stupid. *voice of desperation* Where’s the LOVE, Apple?*
*I am quite excited to see them introduce my next computer on Monday. Gonna be an amazing event.
*I am quite excited to see them introduce my next computer on Monday. Gonna be an amazing event.
I suggest you try some of the memory-foam eartips for the Airpods Pro available from third parties; I got mine from Ali Express.
They stay in much better than the silicone ones for me, and you may not have a reaction to them. If they still aren't for you, just return them within the window (but I'd suggest ordering the foam eartips first, so you're not waiting on shipping).
They may have them on another site, as Ali Express is slow on a good day...
I would say it pretty much a definite being that there have been one-day sales on AirPods popping up lately. I've never owned any AirPods and when stumbled into a sale for $70 off list to got a pair. They sound good but the one thing I was worried about happens, the right side AirPod has a tendency to fall out when out walking.
Apple is hosting a virtual event on Monday at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, with rumors widely suggesting the event will be focused on redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with a faster version of the M1 chip, brighter mini-LED displays, and more.
In an investor note with Wedbush today, shared with MacRumors, analyst Dan Ives said third-generation AirPods will likely be announced at the event as well. The new AirPods are rumored to feature a similar design as the AirPods Pro, but without Active Noise Cancellation, and they could have improved sound quality and some other new features.
The third-generation AirPods have already been manufactured and are ready to launch, according to Wedbush's supply chain checks, which increases the likelihood that they will be announced during the Apple Event next week.
Earlier this week, an account on Chinese social media platform Weibo known as @PandaIsBald also claimed that third-generation AirPods will be announced at the Apple Event next week. Last month, the same account accurately revealed that Apple would announce the ninth-generation iPad at its September event.
This would be the first update to the standard AirPods since the second-generation AirPods were released in March 2019. The second-generation AirPods are priced at $159 with a wired charging case and at $199 with a wireless charging case.
An update to the AirPods Pro is not expected until next year.
Article Link: AirPods 3 Ready to Launch and Likely to Be Announced at Apple Event Next Week, Analyst Says
That would be such a bummer, but certainly believable. 😫 I am optimistic they'll keep us poors in mind when pricing these. Also, what are the odds it will not work with most wireless chargers but some newer version will be released shortly after.
What's funny is that so many people find the original design uncomfortable enough that that there is a big market for alternative earbud tips from makers like Comply. The original design is so uncomfortable for me and never stayed in place no matter what size of the Apple ear tips I used. It wasn't until Comply released their tips that I could use my AirPods for an extended time and actually walk around with them in! lol.
Please be true. And hopefully not in tiny supply. After I've lost my first gen Airpods almost a year ago I just bought a pair of regular Earpods hoping new Airpods would release soon. I finally wanna go back to wireless and I don't want to buy gen 2 ones after having waited so long already.
I guess as long as you're on stage, may as well mention them, but I kind of feel like they're going to get completely drowned out by the new Mac news.
Hmm, I have not seen them.
With my base pair of AirPods, what I like about them is really the whole package. How the case fits inside the coin pouch in my jeans. How the plastic tips feel in my ears. How the stem makes them easy to handle. They do seem to pair more readily than my other pair of bluetooth headphones (and I can further automate this via shortcuts). Battery life is great. They all come together to offer an experience that can't be matched by any other alternative.
Perhaps what you mean is that there are alternatives which are superior to the AirPods in one particular area, but I doubt you will find a product that is superior to the AirPods in every aspect, and said product is likely better because it compromised in some other area).
And I think that's where AirPods really shine. For me at least, they compromise in just the right areas for me.
Disagree. For me the AirPods were disappointing in practically every area. The only thing they did best was connecting to an Apple TV since they could be accessed through the pop up menu rather than going though the main menu to Bluetooth settings. And I suspect that is just Apple imposing a software limitation on competitors.
What headphones in that form factor do you prefer then? I am happy with my AirPods, and have been since they were released in end 2016. As I noted, they likely aren't the best in any one particular area, but everything just comes together nicely into one tightly-integrated package that happens to work for me.