AirPods Deliveries Arrive Across Europe as Retail Store Stock Dwindles

[MacRumors]

Early orders of AirPods arrived across Europe this morning as people were seen waiting outside Apple retail stores eager to get hold of a pair of the new wireless earphones before initial stock ran out.

Queues were reported outside Apple's Regent Street store in London and some other brick-and-mortar stores scattered around the U.K., but stock is reportedly limited and going fast. Regent Street was said to have only 150 units, while the Apple Store in Bath reportedly had only 10 in stock upon opening. Reddit user googang619 said that Newcastle's Eldon Square store initially had 25 pairs in at 9 a.m. but "they had sold twenty of them in the first 10 minutes".

People queue for AirPods outside Regent Street Apple Store (Image: Derek Baker)​

For those lucky enough to have got in on the first wave of online orders last week and received the earphones on Monday via courier, the first impressions of Apple's audio accessory have so far been overwhelmingly positive, with wearability and ease of pairing coming in for particular praise.

Bringing a new case of AirPods within two inches of an unlocked iPhone, iPod touch or iPad and flipping the lid brings up a dialog on the screen offering to pair the device. Once the option is tapped, the AirPods are identified as the owner's and subsequently pair automatically.

MacRumors reader The Game 161 said of the Bluetooth connection: "Incredible, left phone in house, walked up the drive and it was still there".

Twitter user Long Zheng called the Bluetooth connection range "spectacular" and said he was able to walk around his whole house listening to podcasts. He also said they were "much more comfortable than traditional EarPods, much lighter on the ear and no pulling from the cord". MacRumors reader Boardiesboi agreed, claiming they "almost feel like they're not there" because they're so light.

As for audio performance, MacRumors reader ssrij called the AirPods "louder than EarPods", with better sound quality and stronger bass than Apple's wired earphones. Bazooka-joe called the audio quality "much better than expected. Lots of bass. Very clear."

Apple has included a Lightning to USB-A charging cable with the AirPods, rather than one with a USB-C connection for connecting to newer MacBook Pros. We'll post a more in depth look at how the AirPods function and perform later in the day.

Article Link: AirPods Deliveries Arrive Across Europe as Retail Store Stock Dwindles

 

[Blackstick]

Probably the best product they've released this year by a mile, in a year where they needed something awesome that wasn't $3000.

 

[The Game 161]

I'm honored

Also I left my phone in the kitchen and went to the furthest room upstairs and connection was perfect

 

[Aston441]

oooo teeny! now I want

 

[xinam]

Happy AirPods day everyone. I'm really impressed with mine, they have quite impressive low-end. Easily my best Apple purchase for some time!

 

[Wormald]

was first in the queue at regent street - got there at 6am.

met some lovely people and the time flew chatting about this and that.

 

[NachoGrande]

I can't believe that I used to be someone that stood in line like that

 

[Aston441]

interesting it's the only Apple product I've had the slightest emotional "want" reaction to since the 5s came out.

I have a 6s+ now that I needed, but never really "wanted."

 

[Riversen]

With all the feedback, Tweets, and comments in this article answering every question I have had, I now know what I want for Christmas or... gift cards for... so I might be able to buy some when available.

 

[zeto]

well if there is no flaws yet, then they can finally say in 5 years that it just works.

 

[Quu]

Got mine this afternoon in the UK. I really like them so far, the sound is really quite good, better than the included Earpods that I received with my iPhone 7 Plus. Shame that you can't single tap to play/pause songs while two taps activate Siri but they're good anyway.

I'm impressed!

 

[BvizioN]

For those lucky enough to have got in on the first wave of online orders last week and received the earphones on Monday via courier, the first impressions of Apple's audio accessory have so far been overwhelmingly positive, with wearability and ease of pairing coming in for particular praise.

Reading this and thought of all these comments from last week who were looking forward to read about the issues with this products. Interesting how things work with Apple product launches.

 

[JPLC]

Sounds great and I would love to try them while skating.

 

[ShadowYYZ]

Inb4 people who were hating are praising them. Not a fan of the looks but if people are enjoying them I should snag a pair. Seems so far so good!

 

[fishmd]

I called my local Apple store this AM. (Opened at 8AM Eastern time). They had NONE in stock and did not know when they may expect to get any. Also of note, none of the local Best Buys in the area list them in stock either. Looks like I may just have to wait till my Jan 30th delivery date to try these out.

 

[btrs]

Hmm, I do own quite some AAPL products, but I cannot feel the slightest "want" for those.

Written with the massive Bose ANC on my head

 

[WarHeadz]

People are waiting in lines outside of stores for wireless headphones? Yeah, Apple sure looks doomed to me! Fire Tim!

 

[Chicane-UK]

Wow - people queue for headphones now? Maybe they don't know that bluetooth headphones aren't exactly a new thing.

 

[TallManNY]

So if this product flies off the shelves, and if between this and Beats, Apple dominates the revenue and profit stream of the headphone space, is Apple then doomed? I mean think about it. Won't this be another space where a "_____ killer" can now come out? "Is this the AirPod killer?" should become common headlines in 2017. And man, at $159 there is so much room for cheaper stuff to come out with similar functionality.

I think it is pretty clear that Apple is setting themselves up for trouble with this success.

 

[WarHeadz]

So if this product flies off the shelves, and if between this and Beats, Apple dominates the revenue and profit stream of the headphone space, is Apple then doomed? I mean think about it. Won't this be another space where a "_____ killer" can now come out? "Is this the AirPod killer?" should become common headlines in 2017. And man, at $159 there is so much room for cheaper stuff to come out with similar functionality.

I think it is pretty clear that Apple is setting themselves up for trouble with this success.

There's already something similar. They're called Bluetooth headphones and you can get a pair for $20. That doesn't seem to be stopping those lovely folks from standing in line to pay $159.

EDIT: just to clarify I know AirPods are more than just Bluetooth headphones. The point I was trying to make is that other "similar" items on the market that basically accomplish the same task are crap and that people are willing to line up and pay $159 for this.

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

Definitely will be buying these!!
Dare I say my favourite Apple product of 2016.

 

[GadgetBen]

Wow - people queue for headphones now? Maybe they don't know that bluetooth headphones aren't exactly a new thing.

These are a new bluetooth thing

 

[The Game 161]

Gotta love how these things sync

 

[GadgetBen]

That DPD delivery van in the Regent Street picture probably has mine on board. Hurry up drive!

 

[sinsin07]

Wow - people queue for headphones now? Maybe they don't know that bluetooth headphones aren't exactly a new thing.

Or maybe they tried other Bluetooth headsets and want to give this a spin.