AirPods Launch on Apple Store for $159 With December 21 Delivery

[MathersMahmood]

I was so annoyed that these were rumoured to be delayed until 2017. But now because they are released and are coming on Monday I will give them a try and see how they are.

The only issue for me is that i have spent over £300 on a pair that are so far superior to many headphones out and make my airpods look rubbish. But I am hoping i will put that aside as those are headphones (SONY MDR-1000X) and these are more portable. Will have to wait and see.

But until then. I AM EXCITED.

 

[fishmd]

I was so annoyed that these were rumoured to be delayed until 2017. But now because they are released and are coming on Monday I will give them a try and see how they are.

The only issue for me is that i have spent over £300 on a pair that are so far superior to many headphones out and make my airpods look rubbish. But I am hoping i will put that aside as those are headphones (SONY MDR-1000X) and these are more portable. Will have to wait and see.

But until then. I AM EXCITED.

I just got the Sony MDR-1000x as well. Unbelievable sound and tech. Love them. I unfortunately missed this announcement yesterday after I have been checking every other day on the release of these airpods. I placed an order, but delivery estimate placed it at January 30th! Wow. Will see if I can maybe get one in a local Apple store before then so I can try these out as well.

 

[MathersMahmood]

I just got the Sony MDR-1000x as well. Unbelievable sound and tech. Love them. I unfortunately missed this announcement yesterday after I have been checking every other day on the release of these airpods. I placed an order, but delivery estimate placed it at January 30th! Wow. Will see if I can maybe get one in a local Apple store before then so I can try these out as well.

I agree. They are pretty amazing headphones.

 

[mikezmac]

Ordered. Dec 19th UK Can't wait. Can't stand wires no longer.And the beauty of this is that the case that holds the airpods also charges it. Amazing.

UK bought up the early ship times ! Lucky! I woke at 5am and ordered soon after and got a Dec 29 ship date.

Who knows, maybe they'll ship earlier.

Grats!

 

[Mac 128]

I just got the Sony MDR-1000x as well. Unbelievable sound and tech. Love them. I unfortunately missed this announcement yesterday after I have been checking every other day on the release of these airpods. I placed an order, but delivery estimate placed it at January 30th! Wow. Will see if I can maybe get one in a local Apple store before then so I can try these out as well.

It's possible that for most people who wanted the AirPods for use with their iPhone they bought 4 months ago, it's as good as if Apple never released the AirPods yesterday. The only difference is today and Monday is that there's finally a date -- over 3-4 months after they were supposed to be released, and almost 6 after the iPhone 7 was released.

 

[christophermdia]

I have the Dash .... they are a work in progress .... good concept, yet have Bluetooth issues and most software in super beta form. I think with the AirPods, they will satisfy the cordless market just fine with Apple integration. I also have the Bose sound sport headphones and the QC35's, all different use cases depending on what activity I'm doing, and the Bose perform top notch, so that will be my benchmark. Hopefully for the quick, on the go, no strap completely wireless headphone, AirPods will fit the bill

 

[bluespark]

More and More likely these will gain in popularity when the public can see them more often being used.

Aren't these exactly like the Earbuds everyone wears already, but without the wires? I think the look is already familiar and popular. It's not like eliminating the wires will suddenly make these less unobtrusive. If anyone has worn Earbuds, they should be fine with the appearance of these.

 

[sleepydinosaur]

Actually no, I won't. Haha. Maybe here to keep up to date but I won't be purchasing anything new from apple.

Best of luck

 

[44267547]

Aren't these exactly like the Earbuds everyone wears already, but without the wires? I think the look is already familiar and popular. It's not like eliminating the wires will suddenly make these less unobtrusive. If anyone has worn Earbuds, they should be fine with the appearance of these.

The Airpods are definitely obtrusive and not discreet. That said, the reason I stated I think they will gain popularity is primarily the freedom of wires and the ease of carrying them with the current charging capabilities. I'm some what apprehensive about these, but looking forward to trying them when They arrive.

 

[oftheheavens]

The Airpods are definitely obtrusive and not discreet. That said, the reason I stated I think they will gain popularity is primarily the freedom of wires and the ease of carrying them with the current charging capabilities. I'm some what apprehensive about these, but looking forward to trying them when They arrive.

I did the same with the apple pencil that I am going to do with these AirPods. I am going to use them for half the return period non-stop. I will try to incorporate it into anything I possibly can. Then I will stop using them for the last half of the return period. If I find myself reach for them when I leave the house or whatever then I will keep them. Otherwise they go back. I can see these being very useful in situations I wouldn't want to use my solo wireless 2's or my studio's that I got for a gift and with best buy points, but I digress. I don't like taking my solo's camping because I like keeping them clean and well...not broken. I don't like taking them on hikes or wearing them when I snowboard/longboard. I can though, see myself wearing the AirPods for all those things and more. For the more aggressive sports, especially winter with the white snow, I bought the 10 dollar spigen band thing that can connect the two pods. I hear they stay in your ears rather well but not willing to test that going down the mountain. As far as phone calls, I don't make many but I would if i was able to just pop an earpiece in and seamlessly answering the call without wondering if I was connected. Anyway, I have paid more for headphones so I figured I'll give these a try.

 

[Nanotyrns]

This is the best comment I have read since i joined this site. Seriously I can picture what you said in my head.

I always wanted to meet Steve Jobs (or any of the team) and say "Thanks for taking us closer to Star Trek land than anyone else ever has." I want to be able to interact with a voice UI, not just command it. I think Apple started us down that road with the iPhone and subsequent acquisition of Siri. Yes, other tech companies are going down the same road but Apple has the advantage I believe because it is integrated into products they design and manufacture.

 

[Mac 128]

I did the same with the apple pencil that I am going to do with these AirPods. I am going to use them for half the return period non-stop. I will try to incorporate it into anything I possibly can. Then I will stop using them for the last half of the return period. If I find myself reach for them when I leave the house or whatever then I will keep them. Otherwise they go back. I can see these being very useful in situations I wouldn't want to use my solo wireless 2's or my studio's that I got for a gift and with best buy points, but I digress. I don't like taking my solo's camping because I like keeping them clean and well...not broken. I don't like taking them on hikes or wearing them when I snowboard/longboard. I can though, see myself wearing the AirPods for all those things and more. For the more aggressive sports, especially winter with the white snow, I bought the 10 dollar spigen band thing that can connect the two pods. I hear they stay in your ears rather well but not willing to test that going down the mountain. As far as phone calls, I don't make many but I would if i was able to just pop an earpiece in and seamlessly answering the call without wondering if I was connected. Anyway, I have paid more for headphones so I figured I'll give these a try.

Actually, you know what, I just realized these would be great for snow skiing, because I usually wear a headband that covers my ears, acting as earmuffs. Not only will these fit easily under it, it will help keep them safe and sound.

I'll tell you what would be awesome though with respect to hiking and camping -- the ability to daisy chain them to a single device. I can't tell you how much I loathe people who hike with a speaker system hanging out of their backpack subjecting all others to it. On the other hand, when in a remote location in bear country it's a good idea. Nevertheless, I'd love to be able to share a private audio source with everyone in the group, such that we can mutually enjoy it, without disturbing others.

 

[xthine]

It would be interesting to see how the Airpods work with gloves. Hopefully you wouldn't have to stop and take the gloves off to control the Airpods. Wouldn't want to do have to do that while trail running.

 

[oftheheavens]

Actually, you know what, I just realized these would be great for snow skiing, because I usually wear a headband that covers my ears, acting as earmuffs. Not only will these fit easily under it, it will help keep them safe and sound.

I'll tell you what would be awesome though with respect to hiking and camping -- the ability to daisy chain them to a single device. I can't tell you how much I loathe people who hike with a speaker system hanging out of their backpack subjecting all others to it. On the other hand, when in a remote location in bear country it's a good idea. Nevertheless, I'd love to be able to share a private audio source with everyone in the group, such that we can mutually enjoy it, without disturbing others.

Your thoughts on the beanie covering the pods was exactly what I was thinking but when I get aggressive and hit jumps and such I have been know to fall in a way as to loose even my beanie (shortly followed by a trip to the car to get my helmet telling myself how stupid i was for waiting to fall before getting it and a trip to the bar to forget my stupidity). That is why I went ahead and picked up the spigen strap that has a nub to wrap it around the charging case securely when you're not using it.

As for the idea of sharing music that hadn't even crossed my mind! You could share what ever song is getting you in the moment without having to press your sweaty heads together with your buddy on that hard steep rock slope. Even when your just want to let someone hear part of a song without having to take yourself out of the moment you can just hand one of the pods to your wife (or whomever) and they are magically in the moment with you. From my understanding though, if you take one out of your ear the music pauses and when you put it back in your ear it resumes. So I hope they have an option to where it doesn't do that or that the wording may just mean the one you take out of your ear pauses.

 

[rockyromero]

From my understanding though, if you take one out of your ear the music pauses and when you put it back in your ear it resumes. So I hope they have an option to where it doesn't do that or that the wording may just mean the one you take out of your ear pauses.

Yes, there is an option to select to allow continuous playing when removing Airpods.

Would work for me when sharing.

➰

 

[Mac 128]

Yes, there is an option to select to allow continuous playing when removing Airpods.

Would work for me when sharing.

➰

Yes, and that hopefully works for charging as well. Let's say the AirPods run out of juice at an inopportune time, you could pull one out and charge it for 15 minutes while continuing to listen in mono, and then pull the other one out to charge for 15 minutes while continuing to listen in mono.

I also hope they sell replacement buds, so I could work a third into the mix, to charge and swap while continuing stereo listening. Unfortunately I think these things are discreet L & R, not assignable, which would basically render that idea moot anyway, even if I could pair 3 AirPods at once. While I'm certain Apple must be prepared to sell individual replacement buds, most likely they will be priced such that it would be a better value just to have an entire pair with case for backup, and long trips for uninterrupted use, etc.

 

[Nanotyrns]

Ok how long before we start laying odds on when people will start seeing their order flip to "Preparing For Shipment"? I do so love obsessively checking the order status but also do so love endlessly speculating order movements here

 

[oftheheavens]

Ok how long before we start laying odds on when people will start seeing their order flip to "Preparing For Shipment"? I do so love obsessively checking the order status but also do so love endlessly speculating order movements here

I'm more excited for my status to change to cancel after I buy them in store on Monday.

 

[Abazigal]

AirPod reviews are beginning to trickle in.

First impressions - they sound pretty loud and good, stay in your ears pretty well and the nice thing is that your music stops automatically when you take one out and resume when you put it back in your ear.

Looking better and better by the second.

 

[expiredyogurt]

AirPod reviews are beginning to trickle in.

First impressions - they sound pretty loud and good, stay in your ears pretty well and the nice thing is that your music stops automatically when you take one out and resume when you put it back in your ear.

Looking better and better by the second.

Jesus christ, the continuity alone got me sold. No more statics running through my earphones to my ear when I take off my layers in the winter and I can just switch from my phone to my mac easily. Can't wait to get mine now!

 

[Nanotyrns]

Jesus christ, the continuity alone got me sold. No more statics running through my earphones to my ear when I take off my layers in the winter and I can just switch from my phone to my mac easily. Can't wait to get mine now!

I can't tell you how many times I got my ear blasted with static electricity when I was a manager at Old Navy. I'd walk by those poofy nylon winter coats and I could almost see the charge arc from a sleeve to the wire of my headset right before the pow on my ear...

 

[The Game 161]

AirPod reviews are beginning to trickle in.

First impressions - they sound pretty loud and good, stay in your ears pretty well and the nice thing is that your music stops automatically when you take one out and resume when you put it back in your ear.

Looking better and better by the second.

looking forward to doing something similar when mine arrive.

 

[SwissGuy93]

Ordered.

AirPods are a part of the move to a new paradigm in computing.

Before the iPhone, a phone or even a PDA were inferior to a laptop. Nobody could imagine how such a small screen could be just as productive as a full computer, how a phone could access the "real internet" and not some WAP limited version. The iPhone introduced a new paradigm on how we interact with computers. We didn't need a mouse and cursor UI and a large physical keyboard. Multi touch gestures and apps designed for the small screen made productivity on a phone possible. Eventually, most people stopped having to carry around laptops for everything. For them, a slab of glass in their pockets fulfills their computer needs.

That takes us to ubiquitous wearable computing. Again, we're seeing critics suggest that a small screen on a Watch or no screen in AirPods can never outdo a touch screen of an iPhone. That's because they're trying to imagine how a multi touch user interface can fit on a small Watch face just like the generation before tried to imagine a mouse and cursor UI with desktop designed apps on a PDA.

The new paradigm is an omnipresent voice based UI. Apple Watch was the first step to a Siri based user interface very much like in the movie "Her".

I can raise my wrist and issue a command or ask a question. It's become such a daily part of my life that I've forgotten how it's not a usual thing yet. People see me talking to my wrist to set the lights in my house to get ready for dinner and they stare at me like: "did you just do that?"

What has been missing is reliable voice feedback. That's where AirPods comes in. Fast forward to 2 or 3 generations of AirPods and Apple Watches down the road and Siri will be built-in to both devices and independent of an iPhone. You'll be able to ask Siri questions and issue commands like you do to a real life assistant. Video and picture activities could be AirPlayed to a nearby display such as a TV or an iPad if you have one nearby.

In the meantime, today, with AirPods and AppleWatch, I'll be able to leave my phone at home for limited uses such as going to the gym or taking my dog for a walk in the neighbourhood. I'll have my music and will still get intermittent access to my information as I pass WiFi hotspots along the way or reach a cafe or the gym which I'm logged in to.

I look forward to seeing this new paradigm grow like multi touch UI did after Steve introduced the iPhone in 2007.

That is on of the sanest comments I have seen here in a while. I can absolutely see Apple going down this road. And one of the main features will hopefully be that Siri won't be needing an internet connection anymore (for most tasks at least). So Apple will have the privacy argument on their side once more. Now throw in the AR Tim Cook mentioned this year and you will have a great product line.

And I think 2017 will be great for Apple (it has to be...). Not to say 2016 was bad for Apple (AirPods = great, iPhone = great, Macbook Pro= great. Sofware = meh, good but not excitingly new) but I just really hope that they knock our socks of next year. Just to show that they are still able to rethink things.

 

[thekeyring]

Looking forward to hearing about them, once real people have tried them. I can't imagine how they'll remain in your ears if you're moving around.

Two things worth noting:
1) Personally, I never have a problem with EarPods falling out (unless the wire gets snagged). Is your experience different?
2) Reviewers have said that even doing things like exercising these, somehow, did not fall out.
[doublepost=1481794935][/doublepost]

Fugly design

That's subjective. They look to me like regular EarPods, with no cable.
[doublepost=1481795003][/doublepost]

You can already see these are the same idiotic shape as the current wired ones. What's the mystery?

How can Apple fail so miserably over and over again with earphones? Or, better question, how do such stupidly designed products make it out the door there?

Jony Ive needs to be fired. This is embarrassing.

I'm laughing at imagining the reaction on the forums if, a few years into being CEO, Tim Cook had fired Jony Ive.

 

[Ma2k5]

View attachment 677748

(using education store via Unidays)

I just logged in today and I noticed the discount no longer seems to be applying to the Airpods, although it is being applied to other products (such as Beats-X, Power Beats 3 etc). Strange.

Lucky I got it in time.