AirPods Launch Rumors Now Include Dates in Late November and December

[ryanwarsaw]

Okay guys, I just got off the phone with Tim. He apologized for the delay and explained to me what the problem is. He said that the original price announced was simply too low after going through the figures. Evidently he is working closely with Phil as to how they can justify an increase in price without public backlash. The current solution entails adding volume controls to the touch features and relaunching them at $189.

I hope this sheds some light on the matter to all concerned.

 

[2457282]

I wonder who got fired over this delay. In some way though, this shows they learned from their Apple Watch launch debacle. At least this time they were more honest with the public - the marketing guys promised what manufacturing could not deliver.

 

[PlainviewX]

But do they have a wire joining the ear pieces together? Can you send me a link to them please?
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The only problem is it is tricky to use the watch or even see it when I am biking to work. The buttons on the current Apple plug in head pods are the best I have yet seen for control of the iPhone when on the bike. I was hoping for a comfortable fit the same as these and decent controls but lose the wire.
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This! Only time will tell.

Sound is just fine for working out.

http://amzn.to/2eNB5zT

 

[Chris in DC]

If these release this month I'll buy a pair and eat them...

And for those people wanting the Beats X, there's no way they'll go on-sale before the AirPods hit the market.

Why do you say this? The PowerBeats and the Solo 3 have both already been released, and they both use the proprietary W1 chip.

 

[Mac 128]

Why do you say this? The PowerBeats and the Solo 3 have both already been released, and they both use the proprietary W1 chip.

Isn't it enough that he said it? ;-)

Based on my own observations of Apple, he's completely wrong as usual, and the Beats X will likely arrive before the AirPods, as they are much simpler to make, essentially being the same headphones they already make with a W1 chip added. The AirPods are far more sophisticated with many more parts that could be holding up the release alone or in combination with the software.

 

[Chris in DC]

Isn't it enough that he said it? ;-)

Based on my own observations of Apple, he's completely wrong as usual, and the Beats X will likely arrive before the AirPods, as they are much simpler to make, essentially being the same headphones they already make with a W1 chip added. The AirPods are far more sophisticated with many more parts that could be holding up the release alone or in combination with the software.

Let's hope so. I am looking forward to BeatsX much more than the AirPods. I need some new workout headphones.

 

[blairh]

No one has come up with a good, reliable system yet. It is not at all like having a remote on the cable of your wired headphones.

I have inline controls on my Jaybird X's which are wireless.

I've never used headphones with controls on the earbud itself but I imagine it's better than fully relying on voice controls.

 

[JAdmiral]

Kinda defeats the purpose of getting them doesn't it?

Not at all. This way you have options.

 

[honglong1976]

You do not know this! Exclamation points are unneccessary!

Sound quality: It doesn't matter how great the wireless tech, they will sound the same or worse than the wired ones (which are free). They will most likely have the same driver.
Design: They are slippy (see photos). Slippy is ok if a wire is attached. But these cost a ridiculous amount and for one to fall out, let's be honest, you'd be devastated. The wired ones fall out my ears. Unless I am still. These just look silly and I love Apple products!
Noise isolation: None. Same as the original ear buds.

So, honestly, I can't see why anyone would buy any! Apart from saying, hey I got the latest Apple air pods. Buy now or wait till they end up on eBay 🙂

 

[The Game 161]

Let's hope so. I am looking forward to BeatsX much more than the AirPods. I need some new workout headphones.

I just want some normal earphones. I currently use headphones for my gym workouts and while they are good i feel they are too big and the sweat is annoying on big headphones.

Airpods is what I will get but tempted by powerbeats. Dunno think need to wait till they are out and see which suits. Having a volume on my airpods isn't an issue with my apple watch.

 

[santaliqueur]

Sound quality: It doesn't matter how great the wireless tech, they will sound the same or worse than the wired ones (which are free). They will most likely have the same driver.
Design: They are slippy (see photos). Slippy is ok if a wire is attached. But these cost a ridiculous amount and for one to fall out, let's be honest, you'd be devastated. The wired ones fall out my ears. Unless I am still. These just look silly and I love Apple products!
Noise isolation: None. Same as the original ear buds.

So, honestly, I can't see why anyone would buy any! Apart from saying, hey I got the latest Apple air pods. Buy now or wait till they end up on eBay 🙂

The easy pairing, battery life, and TRULY wireless nature of these is why I'm buying them. I have audiophile headphones at home. The sound quality will be fine for me, I'm not mastering an album here.

Isn't it weird that different people want different things? The only difference is that you speak as if you're touting facts, but I'm just talking about my opinion.

 

[rockyromero]

Okay guys, I just got off the phone with Tim. He apologized for the delay and explained to me what the problem is. He said that the original price announced was simply too low after going through the figures. Evidently he is working closely with Phil as to how they can justify an increase in price without public backlash. The current solution entails adding volume controls to the touch features and relaunching them at $189.

I can live with that.

Any word on color options?

➰

 

[Abazigal]

Have third parties started making any attachments to make the Airpods more secure? I saw that Spigen created a $10 strap to connect the two airpods so they can go around your neck. I'm wondering if someone has made a clip so they can still be cordless but so that there is loop around your ears. I'm a big guy, with correspondingly and proportional large ears, so "one size fits all" does not often work for me.

I don't think you completely understand the concept of "wireless" airpods. Perhaps the beats X earphones might be a better alternative for you.

 

[Abazigal]

Sound quality: It doesn't matter how great the wireless tech, they will sound the same or worse than the wired ones (which are free). They will most likely have the same driver.
Design: They are slippy (see photos). Slippy is ok if a wire is attached. But these cost a ridiculous amount and for one to fall out, let's be honest, you'd be devastated. The wired ones fall out my ears. Unless I am still. These just look silly and I love Apple products!
Noise isolation: None. Same as the original ear buds.

So, honestly, I can't see why anyone would buy any! Apart from saying, hey I got the latest Apple air pods. Buy now or wait till they end up on eBay 🙂

I too can argue the exact opposite - that the best sounding headphones are useless to me if they are too cumbersome for me to handle. I honestly don't mind paying for a pair of earbuds that pair easily and seamlessly to my iPhone and which are a breeze to take out and wear and keep and switch between all my Apple devices.

Different needs for different people. The posters here seriously need to start understanding and accepting that their preferences aren't representative of Apple's entire user base.

 

[santaliqueur]

Different needs for different people. The posters here seriously need to start understanding and accepting that their preferences aren't representative of Apple's entire user base.

No, don't you understand? Your opinion is wrong because the AirPods aren't the perfect solution for every person!

 

[Cigsm]

They don't have a premium price tag. Airports are actually less expensive then similar equivalent sets.

Wireless cordless suddenly become wired....
I would only buy these because of they are cordless and look cool.....the moment i attached cords they become just like every other set of headphones. They are no longer unique and should not have a premium price tag.

 

[Tech198]

It's almost like triangulating a cell signal from different towers. except this works with rumor mill 🙂 MR overdrive.

 

[44267547]

I wonder who got fired over this delay. In some way though, this shows they learned from their Apple Watch launch debacle. At least this time they were more honest with the public - the marketing guys promised what manufacturing could not deliver.

What exactly was Apple honest about? They didn't release any details as to why the Airpods were delayed. The only thing Apple did was release a statement to Tech Crunch stating the Airpods would be inevitably delayed. Apple didn't have a choice in the matter, they had to make an announcement after the KeyNote, being Schiller stated they would be released in late October.

In any case, it doesn't look good. That being said, the hype on the Airpods is through the roof being those who want them, will be frantic to get a pair, assuming they release before the Holidays.

 

[honglong1976]

The only difference is that you speak as if you're touting facts, but I'm just talking about my opinion.

Factual. Possibly. I have the EarPods which are essentially the same thing with a wire. So based on my own experience of using the EarPods, they would be the same but without wires. Same sound quality, lack of noise cancellation and slippy.
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The easy pairing, battery life, and TRULY wireless nature of these is why I'm buying them. I have audiophile headphones at home. The sound quality will be fine for me, I'm not mastering an album here.

Isn't it weird that different people want different things? The only difference is that you speak as if you're touting facts, but I'm just talking about my opinion.

Seriously over priced wireless version of the FREE buds everyone gets with an iPhone (btw pair instantly and don't run out of power) £159 🙂 Enjoy!

 

[whsbuss]

Factual. Possibly. I have the EarPods which are essentially the same thing with a wire. So based on my own experience of using the EarPods, they would be the same but without wires. Same sound quality, lack of noise cancellation and slippy.
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Seriously over priced wireless version of the FREE buds everyone gets with an iPhone (btw pair instantly and don't run out of power) £159 🙂 Enjoy!

Do you actually own a pair of the AirPods? How do you actually know they are just wireless EarPods? You have your opinion but trying to convince others without imperial evidence seems crazy to me

 

[ryanwarsaw]

I can live with that.

Any word on color options?

➰

Jet black will be $50 more.

 

[Mac 128]

Factual. Possibly. I have the EarPods which are essentially the same thing with a wire. So based on my own experience of using the EarPods, they would be the same but without wires. Same sound quality, lack of noise cancellation and slippy.
[doublepost=1479577189][/doublepost]

Seriously over priced wireless version of the FREE buds everyone gets with an iPhone (btw pair instantly and don't run out of power) £159 🙂 Enjoy!

First, I wouldn't bet the AirPods have the exact same drivers and specs as the EarPods. Second, you're putting a different weight on the convenience of wireless, whether or not the sound quality build is otherwise the same.

The EarPods retail for $29. I'd certainly pay another $100 for the ability to use them truly wirelessly from each other, along with a 5 hour battery life, and included carrying case that will supply 3 more hours for each 15 min charge; in order to NEVER have to wind up, or untangle a pair of wired earbuds again, or get them caught on something, or fish them under my shirt to prevent it in specific instances. But that's me.

And for the record, the free EarPods included with the iPhone 7, will function with the iPhone 7 only, and some devices capable of running iOS 10. So that rules them out for me immediately. I need to be able to use them with my MacBook, and there is no current option for using Lightning EarPods with 3.5mm, USB-C, Thunderbolt, nor anything else. And I'm not wild about using the included 3.5mm adapter with an older pair of 3.5mm EarPods either in order to have that compatibility.

Your basic point is fair -- why spend $150 for AirPods if there are better quality wireless earbuds for less? But there's no proof yet the quality is significantly worse than other wireless options which are going to be less convenient than Apple's W1 chipped offerings, not to mention battery life, and compatibility with the iOS family. Add to that quality is subjective anyway.

 

[santaliqueur]

Factual. Possibly. I have the EarPods which are essentially the same thing with a wire. So based on my own experience of using the EarPods, they would be the same but without wires. Same sound quality, lack of noise cancellation and slippy.
[doublepost=1479577189][/doublepost]

Seriously over priced wireless version of the FREE buds everyone gets with an iPhone (btw pair instantly and don't run out of power) £159 🙂 Enjoy!

Oh, those earbuds that can only be used with your iPhone and never any other phone or computer? Failed to mention that, I see. Those are iPhone/iPad only earbuds, and always will be. They will never get any wire caught on a door handle, they will never get tangled. The cord will never be torn, and that's how those things fail (often) anyway. See, I can play your game too!

Even though you don't intend to purchase them, can you not understand someone else's desire to be completely wire free? It must be nice to be so ignorant of other people's ideas.

 

[44267547]

I just want some normal earphones. I currently use headphones for my gym workouts and while they are good i feel they are too big and the sweat is annoying on big headphones.

Airpods is what I will get but tempted by powerbeats. Dunno think need to wait till they are out and see which suits. Having a volume on my airpods isn't an issue with my apple watch.

Another forum mentioned a good point with the Airpods in a previous article. I don't believe the Airpods are rated for any water/sweat resistance. At least not to my knowledge. I'm assuming the Airpods will be in the same consistency with the wired EarPods. I never had issues with those with fitness. I'm sure Apple will focus on the water resistance factor in upcoming versions.

 

[Jlcollins]

Can't wait to buy them. And then lose them. Apple should sell them individually -- not in pairs -- as folks are gonna lose one of them constantly. Or drop one in the toilet...

Why do people keep saying this??? You use the AirPods, finish and put them back in the case to charge them until ready for use again. One going to magically jump out the charging case and walk off? One gonna just fall out your ear and you not realize it? People act totally ignorant over the least little thing. I do not see how losing one will be an issue. Also, I see people on the daily walk around with the traditional apples buds in their ear. What makes the wireless ones look dorky and the traditional not? It's literally the same exact bud with the damn wire cut off. If one looks dorky, then the other should as well.