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

[tech4all]

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.

Looks are subjective. I think it's safe to say plenty buy for the logo. I'm not saying "everyone," but let's face it some do. I buy what I believe is the best, and lately it hasn't been Apple. Maybe in the future that will change.

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.

Okay, time to wake up!

Logitech's options for charging their mouse has the port on the front of the mouse. It can be used and charged at the same time. Not a difficult thing to do.

Just do a Google search for wireless phones and plenty show up that could be better than 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.

Nonsense if the Airpods are best they could do. While it is my opinion, the design is lazy. Plain and simple.

 

[Costino1]

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

Is it too late?

I got mine through Verizon.

Gotta love "Add On to Bill" payment method

 

[lordofthereef]

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.

I have the runs and I couldn’t be happier. The newest firmware seems to have eliminated all connections issues. I can’t speak about battery. I literally use them only for running and I’m never running for four hours so I couldn’t say.

I don’t like that the right bud is the main bud, meaning you always have to use it. I like to use just one bud when running outside for safety (I find two buds blocks out too much noise), and that means it’s the right bud or nothing at all. Apple got this VERY RIGHT. Aople’s Pairing process is also more straightforward, but not by leaps and bounds, and I never found Bluetooth pairing to be all that complicated.

Being able to adjust and download different equalization settings on the buds themselves is game changing for me. My demands aren’t ultra high for running, but Apple could learn from this. Industry leading imo.

I got them for around $95 through employee discount, so that helped a lot in my decision; couldn’t get close to that with the Airpods I tried, and I hated them for sport.

At the end of the day I feel like everything on the market has some sort of compromise, at least for me. The best product on the market for running is the jaybird run. Their support is also really good, if you let them be. Too many reviewers these days will pick up a product and just be upset about it and leave a terrible review without giving the company a chance to make things right.

I actually went through two pairs. My first one the left bud couldn’t take the update. The computer just couldn’t recognize it. Called jaybird and they said the best course of action was to return and replace them. That did the trick. Had I done what I feel 9/10 people do, I would’ve just called them junk in a review and moved on.

Sorry for the wall of text. Just figured since you had your eye in the Run my input might be useful.

 

[shopmyexchange]

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.

Thank you for helping us spread the word. If you have questions or need assistance, please message us at facebook.com/ShopMyExchange.

 

[mi7chy]

I see a lot more Amazon tablets bought and gifted. Was gifted the new Amazon Fire HD 10 32GB 2017 and with Google services side loaded it's better than iPad 2017 and was going for around $100.

 

[Tec972]

I have the runs and I couldn’t be happier.

LOL! Did this come out the way you intended Lord?

 

[santaliqueur]

AirPods are an example of lazy design. They cut off the wires and that's it. .

Yes, "cutting off the wires" is all they did, it's just that simple!

Nothing to do with developing

* Contactless charging inside the case
* Tiny battery inside the case
* 2 tiny batteries inside each AirPod
* Wireless communication between each AirPod to ensure PERFECT synchronization. Even a few milliseconds off and it would be an audio nightmare
* Fast pairing with all iOS devices

And a whole bunch of stuff I am probably forgetting. But yes, all they did is "cut off the wires"!

 

[Recognition]

* Contactless charging inside the case

Just going to point out that the AirPods do make 'contact' with metallic terminals inside the case. So I don't know if the term 'contactless' (in the sense that they can be near, but don't have to actually touch) is actually correct.

...but I get your point!, just want to say it before someone *Ahem Tec972 cough* pipes up!

 

[zipur]

Okay, time to wake up!

Logitech's options for charging their mouse has the port on the front of the mouse. It can be used and charged at the same time. Not a difficult thing to do.

Just do a Google search for wireless phones and plenty show up that could be better than the AirPods

Nonsense if the Airpods are best they could do. While it is my opinion, the design is lazy. Plain and simple.

2nd your comment on Logitech mx mouse — that is flat out the best mouse I ever had for feature and the fact of Use While Charging!

 

[lordofthereef]

LOL! Did this come out the way you intended Lord?

Oh dear....

 

[santaliqueur]

Just going to point out that the AirPods do make 'contact' with metallic terminals inside the case. So I don't know if the term 'contactless' (in the sense that they can be near, but don't have to actually touch) is actually correct.

...but I get your point!, just want to say it before someone *Ahem Tec972 cough* pipes up!

Good point, thanks for the heads up. People like that thrive on pointing out technicalities rather than discussing the actual topic.

To me, the AirPods are a marvel of modern technology. People just think they are "overpriced" because we are comparing them to the free crappy wired headphones (that still sound decent to me) that we get with every iPhone because they look nearly identical.

These things are special. If you compare them to your studio headphones for sound quality, you'll be disappointed. Weird that people never talk about their studio headphones and trash them because they don't have 24 hour wireless battery life and amazing portability.

When GOOGLE tried to make a competitor to the AirPods and fell on their face, you know Apple has made something special. Google has nearly infinite resources to throw at this product, and they still failed... And they even have a wire connecting the two buds, so they don't even qualify as a member of the truly wireless headphone category.

Apple is certainly not perfect, but the AirPods are a huge home run.

 

[tech4all]

Yes, "cutting off the wires" is all they did, it's just that simple!

Nothing to do with developing

* Contactless charging inside the case
* Tiny battery inside the case
* 2 tiny batteries inside each AirPod
* Wireless communication between each AirPod to ensure PERFECT synchronization. Even a few milliseconds off and it would be an audio nightmare
* Fast pairing with all iOS devices

And a whole bunch of stuff I am probably forgetting. But yes, all they did is "cut off the wires"!

I'm talking about the physical design of the product. All of what you said could be done in another design.

 

[Tec972]

Just going to point out that the AirPods do make 'contact' with metallic terminals inside the case. So I don't know if the term 'contactless' (in the sense that they can be near, but don't have to actually touch) is actually correct.

...but I get your point!, just want to say it before someone *Ahem Tec972 cough* pipes up!

LOL! Contrary to popular belief, I'm not an Airpod hater
[doublepost=1512077947][/doublepost]

2nd your comment on Logitech mx mouse — that is flat out the best mouse I ever had for feature and the fact of Use While Charging!

If you need to charge your mouse and use it at the same time, then you're doing it wrong

Charging a wireless mouse and using it at the same time is passé, so they just skipped right over it so they wouldn't have to take it away later. It's part of the futuristic design and clairvoyance you pay extra for. LOL!!!

 

[FriendlyMackle]

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.



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.



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.

The funny thing is that despite using an iPhone as my primary phone for the past 7+ years, I have never even tried the EarPods which come with the phones!

I don't like the non-sealed design (unlike Etymotic HF5, Sennheiser, Westone, etc), and they LOOKED uncomfortable (I did not test this)...so for several years before I switched to primarily bluetooth earphones/headphones, I used Etymotic HF5s. Which have a great sound for the in-ear type (wired).

I would only overlook the non-sealed design for the AirPods due to other factors...if the sound were better, I would be willing. But you make a good point about the soundstage...I hadn't thought about that. I've gone to the Apple store about 5x now to listen (over several months) as i really do like the simplicity, battery life, and even the fit. I thought that they wouldn't fit my ears and stay in -- but they do quite well. I don't know what would happen when exercising and getting really sweaty, though. Do the AirPods stay in your ears when exercising?

I'm pretty much using my BlueBuds X1 (I never saw a reason to update -- I bought the same model 2x when the battery on the first pair wore down). I really think they have a nice sound - though some of my friends think they have no bass. I disagree. The only drawback for me to the BlueBuds is the wire connecting the two buds.
[doublepost=1512084806][/doublepost]

I have the runs and I couldn’t be happier. The newest firmware seems to have eliminated all connections issues. I can’t speak about battery. I literally use them only for running and I’m never running for four hours so I couldn’t say.

I don’t like that the right bud is the main bud, meaning you always have to use it. I like to use just one bud when running outside for safety (I find two buds blocks out too much noise), and that means it’s the right bud or nothing at all. Apple got this VERY RIGHT. Aople’s Pairing process is also more straightforward, but not by leaps and bounds, and I never found Bluetooth pairing to be all that complicated.

Being able to adjust and download different equalization settings on the buds themselves is game changing for me. My demands aren’t ultra high for running, but Apple could learn from this. Industry leading imo.

I got them for around $95 through employee discount, so that helped a lot in my decision; couldn’t get close to that with the Airpods I tried, and I hated them for sport.

At the end of the day I feel like everything on the market has some sort of compromise, at least for me. The best product on the market for running is the jaybird run. Their support is also really good, if you let them be. Too many reviewers these days will pick up a product and just be upset about it and leave a terrible review without giving the company a chance to make things right.

I actually went through two pairs. My first one the left bud couldn’t take the update. The computer just couldn’t recognize it. Called jaybird and they said the best course of action was to return and replace them. That did the trick. Had I done what I feel 9/10 people do, I would’ve just called them junk in a review and moved on.

Sorry for the wall of text. Just figured since you had your eye in the Run my input might be useful.

I really appreciate your reply! My post wasn't any shorter.
Nice that you were able to get that discount on the Runs. Hearing that the software/firmware updates have improved the experience is encouraging. I didn't know you could download different equalization settings to the buds. Very cool. Yes, Apple really should implement a similar equalization feature. Since you mostly use them for running, I guess you haven't tested how they do with video?
[doublepost=1512084914][/doublepost]

LOL! Did this come out the way you intended Lord?

Hahaha! It is a slightly unfortunate product name.
Commercial: "Get the RUNS now!"

 

[Abazigal]

I'm talking about the physical design of the product. All of what you said could be done in another design.

I guess there is really no way of proving or disproving your theory. I will just be thankful an option like the Airpods does exist. If it’s a lazy design, it’s a lazy design which works. Compared to other companies who tried and failed.

 

[tech4all]

I guess there is really no way of proving or disproving your theory. I will just be thankful an option like the Airpods does exist. If it’s a lazy design, it’s a lazy design which works. Compared to other companies who tried and failed.

If they work for you, great, more power to you. I'm not much into wireless headphones in general when out and about, as they could get lost or even stolen right out of your ear. Don't get me wrong, I understand the convenience of not having to deal with wires. If wireless headphones were designed to secure them better to your ear, that could help IMO.

 

[lordofthereef]

The funny thing is that despite using an iPhone as my primary phone for the past 7+ years, I have never even tried the EarPods which come with the phones!

I don't like the non-sealed design (unlike Etymotic HF5, Sennheiser, Westone, etc), and they LOOKED uncomfortable (I did not test this)...so for several years before I switched to primarily bluetooth earphones/headphones, I used Etymotic HF5s. Which have a great sound for the in-ear type (wired).

I would only overlook the non-sealed design for the AirPods due to other factors...if the sound were better, I would be willing. But you make a good point about the soundstage...I hadn't thought about that. I've gone to the Apple store about 5x now to listen (over several months) as i really do like the simplicity, battery life, and even the fit. I thought that they wouldn't fit my ears and stay in -- but they do quite well. I don't know what would happen when exercising and getting really sweaty, though. Do the AirPods stay in your ears when exercising?

I'm pretty much using my BlueBuds X1 (I never saw a reason to update -- I bought the same model 2x when the battery on the first pair wore down). I really think they have a nice sound - though some of my friends think they have no bass. I disagree. The only drawback for me to the BlueBuds is the wire connecting the two buds.
[doublepost=1512084806][/doublepost]
I really appreciate your reply! My post wasn't any shorter.
Nice that you were able to get that discount on the Runs. Hearing that the software/firmware updates have improved the experience is encouraging. I didn't know you could download different equalization settings to the buds. Very cool. Yes, Apple really should implement a similar equalization feature. Since you mostly use them for running, I guess you haven't tested how they do with video?
[doublepost=1512084914][/doublepost]
Hahaha! It is a slightly unfortunate product name.
Commercial: "Get the RUNS now!"

I actually have tested them! I know a lot of people were complaining about sound not being in sync. I have zero issues with Netflix, but I haven’t checked any other source. Watched a couple episodes of frontier during warm up and cool down on the treadmill. Listened to much more music though.

 

[nathanhorn]

Does anyone know whether or not it would be worth waiting for the AirPods 2? I'm looking for a Christmas gift for my GF but I'm not sure if I should wait for the Airpods 2 or not. We both have the iPhone X so use wireless charging and with the Airpods we'd need a cable again, so I'm thinking that might be a good enough reason not to go for the first version Airpods... Would love to hear your opinion(s) on this!

 

[FriendlyMackle]

Does anyone know whether or not it would be worth waiting for the AirPods 2? I'm looking for a Christmas gift for my GF but I'm not sure if I should wait for the Airpods 2 or not. We both have the iPhone X so use wireless charging and with the Airpods we'd need a cable again, so I'm thinking that might be a good enough reason not to go for the first version Airpods... Would love to hear your opinion(s) on this!

Unfortunately, we have no idea when the AirPod 2's will be coming, not even a murmur has surfaced. It's just my feeling that since they're a hit with consumers as is, they won't update them too soon.

 

[santaliqueur]

I'm talking about the physical design of the product. All of what you said could be done in another design.

Yes they COULD have looked different, but the company worth several hundred billion dollars more than anything we have ever created thinks it was a good idea to make them look the same as the wired headphones. And guess what? They are wildly popular and you are complaining about the way they look. But oh right, it's Apple that is doing something wrong. Got it.

 

[tech4all]

Yes they COULD have looked different, but the company worth several hundred billion dollars more than anything we have ever created thinks it was a good idea to make them look the same as the wired headphones. And guess what? They are wildly popular and you are complaining about the way they look. But oh right, it's Apple that is doing something wrong. Got it.

Apple's value or the popularity of the AirPods are irrelevant to my opinion that the AirPods, while a good product from what I've heard, are a lazy design.

 

[Junior.Nguyen]

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.

Its actually very reliable you should try them out! It's worth it !

 

[santaliqueur]

Apple's value or the popularity of the AirPods are irrelevant to my opinion that the AirPods, while a good product from what I've heard, are a lazy design.

"What I've heard"

Classic weasel words.

So they spend probably several hundred million dollars (or more) to create this new product, creating custom chips and spending tens of thousands of engineer hours to make something that people would really want to buy, knocking it out of the park performance-wise, but they decide "nah, let's just pack it in the same old casing, feelin lazy here"

Design is the whole product. How it works, behaves, performs. The "lazy design" is just incorrect because you don't like the way the new product looks like the old cheap thing. Note: this is a perfectly valid opinion to hold. I might even share it. The AirPods are probably my favorite piece of technology ever, but I don't really love the way they look. I wouldn't mind a black version, or even another variation of Space Grey. White is low on my list of color choices, but I still love them. Doesn't mean the design was "lazy" because they look similar to other things.

If you don't like that they look like the wired product, just say so. That opinion is valid and does not deserve any criticism. You calling them a lazy design is a lazy criticism of a product that seems to be doing fine in its current state.

 

[tech4all]

"What I've heard"

Classic weasel words.

So they spend probably several hundred million dollars (or more) to create this new product, creating custom chips and spending tens of thousands of engineer hours to make something that people would really want to buy, knocking it out of the park performance-wise, but they decide "nah, let's just pack it in the same old casing, feelin lazy here"

Design is the whole product. How it works, behaves, performs. The "lazy design" is just incorrect because you don't like the way the new product looks like the old cheap thing. Note: this is a perfectly valid opinion to hold. I might even share it. The AirPods are probably my favorite piece of technology ever, but I don't really love the way they look. I wouldn't mind a black version, or even another variation of Space Grey. White is low on my list of color choices, but I still love them. Doesn't mean the design was "lazy" because they look similar to other things.

If you don't like that they look like the wired product, just say so. That opinion is valid and does not deserve any criticism. You calling them a lazy design is a lazy criticism of a product that seems to be doing fine in its current state.

If you can't accept my opinion (as I have accepted the opinions of other's liking them, including you), that's your problem, not mine.

 

[nathanhorn]

Unfortunately, we have no idea when the AirPod 2's will be coming, not even a murmur has surfaced. It's just my feeling that since they're a hit with consumers as is, they won't update them too soon.

Thanks, I've bought the airpods!