AirPods and iPad Listed as Top Selling Electronics During This Year's Record-Setting Cyber Monday

[Karma*Police]

I love when people use "sheep" in their posts, because it lets me know who I can immediately ignore.

And weird, when I purchased the AirPods I thought I was buying a product I really liked at a price I deemed fair. I had no idea I was a mindless robot! By the way, I don't miss my headphone jack. At all.

What he doesn't realize is that you were a pioneer, just as the first Mac, iPod, iPhone and iPad users were. The people that bought them several generations later, after they grew in popularity, are the real sheep, which probably includes him.

He'll be using AirPods or AirPod-like devices a few years from now, and will wonder how he ever used headphones with those clumsy wires, while at the same time, patting himself on the back for getting them at a budget price of $69; totally convinced that the sheep got ripped off while he's a genius for having waited 5 years.

 

[MikeSmoke]

Got a better deal 2 weeks ago...

Wow. $249 was sweet but $199 is insane. Where was that?

 

[dcopelandia]

Wait Adobe does PDF's, Flash, Creative Suite with like 6 apps, electronic signatures and it also does online shopping analysis. WOW WHAT A COMPANY. I LOVE THIS COUNTRY **HEAVY SARCASM**

 

[Abazigal]

Glad you are satisfied with them. Yeah i hate using bluetooth if I don't have to. Especially in the car or on a BT speaker.
[doublepost=1511898039][/doublepost]
LOL thats funny, genuinely!! You are a good apple citizen in that you have no problem with them limiting your choice and giving you less value for money. You are their target audience! Until BT sounds better than wired be best not to bury it in a time capsule. I agree it's not coming back. Never said it was, merely stated aside from convenience BT is inferior to wired and a device is lesser for not having a jack as bluetooth has been there for a while. But thats good if you enjoy less value and options in what you buy. I OTOH will voice my displeasure at choices i deem poor. It's called an opinion.

That’s why I use Apple products. They give me fewer options compared to the rest of the competition, but each option is more developed and fully supported.

I lose the headphone jack, which I haven’t used in ages, in exchange for better sounding wireless headphones, and room for whatever Apple wishes for cram into their phones? That’s a net benefit for me however I see it.

But I guess people who see pros and cons solely via laundry checklists will have a hard time coming to terms with this.

 

[GoldenJoe]

I still get sticker shock every time I see how much AirPods cost. For some reason I keep thinking they are $70.

 

[BvizioN]

Wireless doesn’t freak me out. I just don’t think they look good.

Did't really mean you. Sure thing, not everyone likes them. I am talking about people who says they look weird, ugly silly etc.

 

[lordofthereef]

Did't really mean you. Sure thing, not everyone likes them. I am talking about people who says they look weird, ugly silly etc.

Got it. Hard to tell when being directly quoted. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
[doublepost=1511941418][/doublepost]

they stay in the ears just fine for 99% of people on earth.
[

Possibly/probably. I was sharing my own experience with them. I actually don’t know a single person that likes them for running. But I also don’t know everyone that runs on earth. I’m sure people like them. I do not.

It’s axtuallt kind of funny. I really like my Jaybird run buds for running (though they do get uncomfortable after much more than an hour, but I only use them in the gym and while in a run) but there are people who state they don’t work in their ears in forums over there, despite six different tips/fins they provide. What I don’t do is point out to those people how well it works for everyone else, bwcause I’m sure they know that and that doesn’t help them in the slightest. But to each their own.

For what it’s worth I also don’t find the iPad to be worth, well, anything to me. Only ever had one of those and it sat gathering dust. Love just about everything else Apple has put in front of me this last decade though.
[doublepost=1511941621][/doublepost]

So they didn’t force everyone to buy BT headphones at all.
Cool, thanks for clearing that up.

As for “not leaving you very much option”, Apple gives you 3 options,

Lightning headphones (supplied with iPhone or 3rd party),
3.5mm headphones with free adapter.
BT headphones.

So one more option then you had on iPhones with 3.5mm port.

You actually have one less with the newer phones, if we are splitting hairs lol. You can use the adapter and a lightning cable pair of headphones in the phones with a built in 3.5mm port too. Idk why you’d ever want to....

 

[Recognition]

You actually have one less with the newer phones, if we are splitting hairs lol. You can use the adapter and a lightning cable pair of headphones in the phones with a built in 3.5mm port too. Idk why you’d ever want to....

Ha I suppose so!
Just thinking out loud... would lightning and 3.5mm jack headphones work at the same time in a phone with both ports?!

 

[spacemnspiff]

The Touch ID folks are in that same denial stage haha.

Too many examples to cite, one that comes to mind is that it was the same when the Model T became popular, all the folks with horse carriages were in denial, couldn't accept the change and withered away.

Qualcomm was in denial when Apple brought 64bit to the iPhone, folks used to Swipe were in denial Apple released Touch ID, and on and on it goes.
[doublepost=1511967549][/doublepost]

Possibly/probably. I was sharing my own experience with them. I actually don’t know a single person that likes them for running. But I also don’t know everyone that runs on earth. I’m sure people like them. I do not.

I use this adapter for the Earpods and they work fine for my ears while running. My Sennheisers cannot be worn for extend periods without hurting my ears.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H8MIFQI/

 

[B4U]

Wow. $249 was sweet but $199 is insane. Where was that?

AAFES - Army Air Force Exchange Services.
They just opened up for all honorable discharged veterans to shop there since this Veterans Day too. (I have been trying to spread the word to all other vets out there.)
If you served honorably, you could shop there. Or you can ask a family member who did.
Last but not least, it is always legally tax free.

 

[Unlocker]

O2 in the UK were running a 20% off accessories code which also worked on airpods. Went to our local O2 store to see if they would match the online deal and "we can give you the staff discount at 25%, that's the closest we can get" is what saw me walk out with 2 pairs at £119.25 each instead of £159. Just about the best deal we saw on Apple kit over the weekend. Also got an Apple Watch Cellular at £30 off too.

 

[lordofthereef]

Ha I suppose so!
Just thinking out loud... would lightning and 3.5mm jack headphones work at the same time in a phone with both ports?!

Good question. I’ve nevwr tried it. Would be a cool free splitter though haha.

 

[Recognition]

Good question. I’ve nevwr tried it. Would be a cool free splitter though haha.

Haha!

Dammit! Hope I haven't given the pro 3.5mm jack camp another reason they think it should of been kept!

 

[apolloa]

Ah here we go, Amazon.com reported the highest selling items across all categories were their own devices, just to balance it out:

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2318860

 

[Costino1]

I literally got my AirPods an hour ago and just did a ride with them. Great sound. Love how I just pop them in my ears and theyre on.

Only snag I had (literally) was I use croakies for my sunglasses and almost lost an earbud when I put my glasses on and the string got caught on my EarPod.

I had Beats by Dre Studio Wireless before these which I sold - too bulky and clunky for me to ride my bike in or work out in.

With the AirPods I went over bumps on my bike and not once did I have to readjust them or reinsert them. Very happy with the product.

Love how they magnetically 'magically' snap into the case. Just put the earbud near the hole for the case and boom - it twists and sucks it in. lol....

Good purchase.

 

[Abstract]

I literally got my AirPods an hour ago and just did a ride with them. Great sound. Love how I just pop them in my ears and theyre on.

Only snag I had (literally) was I use croakies for my sunglasses and almost lost an earbud when I put my glasses on and the string got caught on my EarPod.

I had Beats by Dre Studio Wireless before these which I sold - too bulky and clunky for me to ride my bike in or work out in.

With the AirPods I went over bumps on my bike and not once did I have to readjust them or reinsert them. Very happy with the product.

Love how they magnetically 'magically' snap into the case. Just put the earbud near the hole for the case and boom - it twists and sucks it in. lol....

Good purchase.

I regret not buying them alongside my Apple Watch 3 several days ago.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

I regret not buying them alongside my Apple Watch 3 several days ago.

They aren't hard to find.

 

[eyeseeyou]

This entire thread has honestly influenced me to look into AirPods a little more.

They are ridiculous looking imo but the raving reviews of convenience is intriguing.

 

[Leguna24]

I really want some but I know that I’m far too clumsy and would lose them or have them end up in the washer at some point. Either way, they appear to be a nice success for Apple.

 

[FriendlyMackle]

AirPods are popular because they’re currently the best wireless earphones or IEMs on the market.

No matter where else you look, Jaybird or Bose or whatever other brand, their comparable products have BT strength issues, and/or syncing issues between left and right earpieces.

Otherwise, use one of the models with a cable around the back of the neck, which aren’t even necessarily better.

After a lot of research, looking at sound, BT performance, customer support, issues with fit, the Bose SoundSport were the best pair of wireless earphones with the cable behind the back.

Completely wireless? No contest. AirPods win. Even if Bose and Jaybird fixes the syncing and range issues, they still don’t win on price. Not even close. With Bose, they even ask you to BUY the charging case for another $50.

I thought the Jaybird Run (true wireless) were priced similarly to the AirPods (within $20 or so)?
And...I really do hope they work out the connectivity issues AND increase the battery life (which sounds like less than 4 hours). I think Jaybird BT devices do have great sound. But it sounds like I'll need to wait for a 2nd gen RUN (if they make some significant changes). I don't like the fact that they did not use the NFMI to communicate earbud to earbud. I think that is a point of connectivity failure and lag.

The Bose are hideous and large...like toad/warts jutting out of and hanging off your ears! Supposedly they do sound really nice, but as you mentioned, have major connectivity issues and video/syncing problems.

What are really appealing to me now are the B&O Play E8 Truly Wireless Earphones -- they get some of the better reviews for the latest crop of non-wired Bluetooth earphones. What stops me is the overly high price - $299. Considering how quickly the batteries will probably wear down on these things, that is a really high price. I really want to find these at least $100+ cheaper.

When I add up all of the various headphones, earbuds, both wired and Bluetooth I have, I've already spent way too much over the last 5 years.

My problem with the AirPods is that while, yes, they feel weightless, and have excellent ease of connectivity, I don't think the sound is very good. Like dull-and-muffled not-good. I have tried them out a few times now, and they are winning earphones in terms of form factor, battery life (length of), connectivity, and loudness/volume. But I just don't want to compromise that much on sound. They sound inferior to almost all of the other wireless BT 'phones I have or have tried. If the price dropped to under $80, maybe I'd buy a pair.

 

[Recognition]

I really want some but I know that I’m far too clumsy and would lose them or have them end up in the washer at some point. Either way, they appear to be a nice success for Apple.

I put mine through the wash for ten minutes before the wife alerted me! Still working fine, no problems!
I wouldn’t recommend it but if you do, a 30°c gentle spin cleans them nicely lol!

 

[tech4all]

I love the "they look ridiculous" posts. They look EXACTLY like the earphones that hundreds of millions of us already have, minus the wire. So if they had a wire coming out of the bottom, they would be perfectly fine?

Hilarious. People are so salty. Like them or not, the AirPods are the first wireless earphones that don't suck. And yes, Bluetooth earphones with a wire between each earphone is a different (but very similar) product category. The AirPods are a huge home run, and deservedly so. If they fit your ears, they are incredible.

AirPods are an example of lazy design. They cut off the wires and that's it. With all the money Apple has, you'd think they'd put some time into doing a new design. Same with the Magic Mouse. Charging port of the bottom is lazy. But Apple knows they're products will sell regardless, so why bother putting in the effort. They'll still make money.

 

[Abstract]

I thought the Jaybird Run (true wireless) were priced similarly to the AirPods (within $20 or so)?
And...I really do hope they work out the connectivity issues AND increase the battery life (which sounds like less than 4 hours). I think Jaybird BT devices do have great sound. But it sounds like I'll need to wait for a 2nd gen RUN (if they make some significant changes).

They may sound great, but only when they're not out of sync. Their wired BT products seem to get rave reviews for sound and fit, but if there's ever a problem with a Jaybird product, you're stuck because customer support is not very supportive.

The Bose are hideous and large...like toad/warts jutting out of and hanging off your ears! Supposedly they do sound really nice, but as you mentioned, have major connectivity issues and video/syncing problems.

True, but they're comfy AF. I have only tried the SoundSport wireless (with the cable connecting the two earpieces), and while big, they were incredibly comfortable. I presume the completely wireless version fit the same since they look the same.
The BT radio of the SoundSport (and Jaybird RUN) is weak to preserve battery life. Because the receiver is only in one earbud (not sure which, but say the right earpiece), that means you need to put your phone in your right-side pocket. People have reported that if they put their phone in their left pocket, they get dropouts until they put their phone on their right. The range in which you get a solid, reliable BT connection is absurdly short. Many Jaybird RUN customers have reported similar issues. Bose seem to be better at supporting their products, so there will probably be a fix soon.

AirPods are popular today because in most ways that are important to people, they're the best of what's out there anywhere within $50, or even $100, of what Apple are charging for the AirPods. It would cost me roughly $250-300 to get the Bose SoundSport FREEs with the charging case. Can't blame people for spending their money wisely.

My problem with the AirPods is that while, yes, they feel weightless, and have excellent ease of connectivity, I don't think the sound is very good. Like dull-and-muffled not-good. I have tried them out a few times now, and they are winning earphones in terms of form factor, battery life (length of), connectivity, and loudness/volume. But I just don't want to compromise that much on sound. They sound inferior to almost all of the other wireless BT 'phones I have or have tried. If the price dropped to under $80, maybe I'd buy a pair.

Do they sound like the EarPods? Just curious.

Unlike many other people, I actually like the sound of the EarPods. I expected the AirPods to sound very similar since they probably use the same drivers. People say they lack bass, but they're an open earphone, and if you remember open earphones, that is what they sound like. Bass is more prominent if the EarPods fit you well.

On the flip side, their soundstage is really large compared to IEMs, and I find there's more detail in the higher frequencies. Bass is OK for me.

I think the EarPods are great, but only if they fit your ear. If they don't fit, there's not much you can do to fix them, unlike IEMs that include multiple tips.

 

[Abazigal]

AirPods are an example of lazy design. They cut off the wires and that's it. With all the money Apple has, you'd think they'd put some time into doing a new design. Same with the Magic Mouse. Charging port of the bottom is lazy. But Apple knows they're products will sell regardless, so why bother putting in the effort. They'll still make money.

Apple products sell because they look great and work great. It think it's insulting to both Apple and the consumer to imply that their products are purchased solely for the Apple logo rather than their own merits, and it also says a lot about the critic who would choose to dismiss Apple outright rather than seek to understand them better.

Wake me up when one of you does come upon a design that's both different and better. The competition certainly has tried, and it sure seems like nobody has a better alternative than what Apple is peddling here. I think people underestimate the sheer amount of engineering effort that goes into miniaturising all the parts and fitting them into the AirPods.

For all we know, Apple tried a ton of designs, and eventually still went back to the EarPods design because they couldn't find anything better. So between doing something different but worse, and doing something similar but better, Apple chose the latter, and I can respect that.

 

[eyeseeyou]

There are some jabra elite wireless earbuds for sale for $89.99

Basically for folks that workout due to them officially being sweatproof.