Yes, a "bad launch" indeed. Selling millions, insatiable demand, great reviews of exciting new technology developed by Apple's engineers. Can't get much worse than that.
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AirPods Now Estimated to Ship in 6 Weeks
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Yes, a "bad launch" indeed. Selling millions, insatiable demand, great reviews of exciting new technology developed by Apple's engineers. Can't get much worse than that.
I think at this point, anyone who has any Apple gear can probably manage to find a way to charge a lightning device. Any iPhone since iPhone 5 or any iPad since iPad 4 uses this connector.
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I think it's you who didn't get the memo. Tim Cook is a huge part of the reason Apple is where it is today!
I presume you know that Tim joined Apple in 1998 as part of the team who resuscitated an almost bankrupt company and turned it into the behemoth it is today. Without Tim's operations expertise it would have been almost impossible to scale Apple from shipping a few iMacs to shipping tens of millions of iPhones a quarter.
I'm not suggesting Tim is the "only" reason behind this success as obviously Steve Jobs and Jony Ive were also instrumental amongst some others, but Tim is certainly a big part of it.
How fickle people can be...
Good products can come from bad launches.
The product was delayed. It's reviews are leaned positive but with notable caveats. It's reason for existing was accompanied by their "courageous" move away from wired audio that is also received with mixed feelings.
Compared to a lot of recent Apple product launches, this one is low on the totem for execution. The other comparable launches were when the 5K Macs were delayed and in short supply... at least in recent history.
I appreciate your willingness to see my point. I made it in a snotty tone, I admit, but I'm so annoyed with Apple's direction over the last two years that I just can't be arsed to give them the benefits of any doubts anymore.
I love my 13" rMBP, really. I've had every iPhone generation except the 5se. I had a IIe and a IIc (yes, I'm that old). But when my current laptop gives out, I'm done with these folks. Yes, I understand the profits are sky-high, but that doesn't solve my concerns with the way the tech is going. Kim Kardashian is profitable, too. So what?
There's nothing wrong with Apple or with me. They just don't care to serve users like me anymore. Luckily there are companies that do. I will really miss the operating system.
Ideally Apple would like you to purchase a pair of Airpods for your commute and casual listening and a pair of powerbeats for your workouts..... These millions of dollars in executive bonuses aren't going to pay themselves, thank you
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I love the idea of AirPods and the way they charge, but if they're shaped like the Apple ear buds that ship with the iPhone, they will be falling out of my ears. I wish I could try them on in person. Ear buds that do not fit snug will not sounds rich and full. I wish that they would have used the silicon attachable fitters instead. I guess I will go with the Wireless BeatsX (in 2-3 months).
Alot of the initial reviewers have said that they have trouble with earpods but the Airpods stay in their ears comfortably. I am guessing its because they dont have a wire tugging at it and sliding it out of your ear slowly if they are not a perfect fit..... I too can never wear earpods since my ears are too small, but I am hopeful these will work... I ordered a pair for my wife and will try them out, if they fit well I might pick some up in January or February whenever they become available to replace my Jaybirds
I want to know how well the new Airpods sound, and from the early reviews people are saying they sound about the same as Earpods. Not that Earpods sound bad, but they are $20 and come free with iPhones. Quick connection and 5 hour batter life are great features, but the main purpose of Airpods should be sound quality. For $159 hopefully they don't sound like a pair of cheap $20 Earpods. I will wait for more reviews on sound quality to come in before deciding on whether to purchase or not.
bass sounds very good from reviews yesterday and are happy with the sound per macworld. will judge for myself on monday on the difference in sound
theres an adapter you can add to the new USB c that turns into a mag safe connector. All is not lost
The point is that the "OMG, the Airpods launch is 50 days longer than Apple anticipated!" is just silly noise in the big picture of the relentless parade of new technology. Of course, everyone wants everything ASAP, that's natural, but 99% of the world understands that its no big deal. Life goes on, there's lots of options to get people through the horrible ordeal of waiting a few weeks. The vast majority of people can reason it through that, other than their anticipation, nothing material would have changed in their lives had Apple said we think the Airpods will launch in the next month or two. They would still get this fantastic new technology when they were ready. The Airpods are on their way, tens of millions of people will get them and be excited and enjoy all of the terrific new technology. Ten people will remember and care that Apple's estimate was off by a few weeks.
I have high hopes for the AirPods.
But it's absolutely ridiculous for anyone to defend Apple's handling of them. AirPods were an essential component of the iPhone 7 launch for a smooth transition with the removal of the headphone jack. By the time most iPhone 7 owners get their AirPods, it may be well into half the life of the phone they bought in September, which they were assuming they would have the AirPods within a month or two following their purchase. Apple botched this on so many levels its almost unforgivable.
Nevertheless, you are right, and by next September when the next iPhone launches, the mess that was the AirPods launch will be a distant memory (unless they do it again). It's just particularly painful right now that anyone who embraced the iPhone 7 in September with the promise of a seamless user experience without a headphone jack, has been put in the position to find work-arounds for the lack of AirPods, possibly spending money unnecessarily, while Apple kept them in the dark.
Granted. Is it also hard to believe that many users buy items based on how they think others may perceive them when using the products as opposed to any practical reason for it?
Good bye. Apple will always welcome you back. In the meantime, be careful now that your privacy and security will be at great risk to the extent you use Android or Google products. . Many have only found out late in the game that every email you send and receive will be scanned and stored forever, every search, every item you buy, book or article you read, everywhere you drive, every post you make, every picture you take or receive, every document you create, etc., all with be stored and owned forever by Google in a central dossier on you. To be used to sell ads to you (you're going to a system where they make 90% of their revenue by selling info about you), and to be made available to "their partners," or upon subpoena or other demand to law enforcement, governments, and of course, hackers and foreign and domestic intel agencies.
"When you upload, submit, store, send or receive content to or through our Services, you give Google (and those we work with) a worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works (such as those resulting from translations, adaptations or other changes we make so that your content works better with our Services), communicate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute such content."
"We may combine personal information from one service with information, including personal information, from other Google services."
And, should Google ever change its business model, since they get to keep all of the above, they can sell it to anyone they want.
"If Google is involved in a merger, acquisition or asset sale, we will continue to ensure the confidentiality of any personal information and give affected users notice before personal information is transferred or becomes subject to a different privacy policy."
Good Luck.
I never said ALL apple customers are lemmings. But I know for a fact that there are many more than you would probably be comfortable admitting to.
You know what though, I agree with you. You are correct that there are lemmings for every platform. More on that later.
The bashing should be of concern to Apple share holders, fanatics, and Apple itself, because it signifies a potential and significant change in the popularity of it's products. There was nowhere near this amount of bashing 5-7-9 years ago. Apple was raising eyebrows with its technical advances and products. And people were responding resulting in the behemoth that is currently Apple.
So forget about the floppy drives and headphones and cdroms. I haven't seen Apple bashing like this since the late 90s. Just brushing off people on this board or any other medium who are upset or angry at Apples current trajectory should note that a lot of the bashing is not done in a vacuum of reason and justification.
What you are seeing on this board is just a few springs in the dam, and Apple would be wise to start figuring out why the leaks are occurring (Hint: they are being stated in clear text) before the dam breaks. The leaders with real COURAGE leave first, which are always insignificant in number, followed by the lemmings in far greater numbers.
But hey what do I know about all this crap? I have only been in IT for 20 years. Just keep telling us detractors who have previously been Apple evangelists to get lost, and that it won't matter to Apple. If you take a stroll down memory lane, IBM and Microsoft had very similar market dominance Apple currently enjoys and ignored the dam leaks just like Apple is.
Just some food for thought. Thanks for the reasonable response btw
Whaaattt????? Airpods were "an essential component of the iPhone 7 launch." ??? In what sense have the 75 or so million people who have already purchased an iPhone 7 lacked an essential component???? A product that never existed before, and that most of the over two hundred million plus eventual iPhone 7 users will never purchase is an essential product ???
You do realize that most people just use the included earbuds? And Apple included lightning equipped earbuds with every iPhone 7. And for those who have legacy headphones Apple included a free adapter. And for those who want to use wireless, there are countless wireless options from Apple and hundreds of other suppliers, ranging from 10$ models to $1000 plus. But somehow it is "unforgivable" that people who wanted the Airpods had to wait a few more weeks than Apple predicted and those people lacked something "essential" to be able to use their iPhone 7??
It would appear that you are making the assumption that this person is going to use google cloud services. I certainly wouldn't.
Apple has updated its website to indicate AirPods are now estimated to ship in 6 weeks in the United States and many other countries around the world. The wireless earphones have been available for purchase on Apple's website since yesterday, with initial orders set to be delivered as early as December 19.
Apple said AirPods will be shipping in limited quantities at launch, so it is unsurprising that shipping estimates have quickly slipped from 2 weeks to 4 weeks to 6 weeks around the world. The delay means customers who have yet to place an order will likely not receive their AirPods until 2017.
However, those who missed out still have a chance, as Apple said AirPods will be available for purchase at Apple Stores, authorized resellers, and select carriers next week. Apple noted stores will receive "regular AirPods shipments," and customers would be wise to call their local store ahead of time to confirm stock.
AirPods are Apple's all-new $159 wireless earphones. The cord-free earphones instantly turn on and connect to your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac when taken out of their charging case. Likewise, audio automatically plays as soon as you put them in your ears and pauses when you take them out.
AirPods, driven by Apple's custom W1 chip for one-tap setup, deliver up to 5 hours of listening time on one charge, and a 15-minute fast charge provides up to 3 hours of listening time. The accompanying charging case holds multiple additional charges for more than 24 hours of listening time.
AirPods use optical sensors and a motion accelerometer to detect when they are in your ears. Doubling tapping an earpiece invokes Siri, which can be used to adjust the volume, change the song, make a call, or get directions. An accelerometer works with beamforming microphones to filter out background noise.
Article Link: AirPods Now Estimated to Ship in 6 Weeks
yay, originally pre-ordered airbuds and was giving an delivery date of January 30th, but went into an Jump plus store today in Hamilton and was able to put a deposit down on an unit, so cancelled apple order and get them next week now... wahoo
Not just Google cloud services. Any of their products and services. Android, Pixel, Google Maps, Google Docs, Photos, Assistant, you name it. They are all just feeders for a central repository on you because that's the holy grail that advertisers will pay for. That's the same for Facebook and why Zuckerberg's famous line recently that people are taking this privacy thing too seriously. Facebook goes out of business overnight if they don't have your private info to sell. Ditto for Google. Fortunately, Apple has a different model and ethics.
I get what you are saying. When I say cloud services, I mean anything that is uploaded to googles servers from your device. They do not have the legal right btw to connect to your pixel or android device and pull your personal data if you are using different or no cloud services. That stuff is conspiracy theory and they don't really have the time nor will to fight that kind of loosing battle.
And yes, Apple is the current champion of privacy among the large players.
I never said ALL apple customers are lemmings. But I know for a fact that there are many more than you would probably be comfortable admitting to.
You know what though, I agree with you. You are correct that there are lemmings for every platform. More on that later.
The bashing should be of concern to Apple share holders, fanatics, and Apple itself, because it signifies a potential and significant change in the popularity of it's products. There was nowhere near this amount of bashing 5-7-9 years ago. Apple was raising eyebrows with its technical advances and products. And people were responding resulting in the behemoth that is currently Apple.
So forget about the floppy drives and headphones and cdroms. I haven't seen Apple bashing like this since the late 90s. Just brushing off people on this board or any other medium who are upset or angry at Apples current trajectory should note that a lot of the bashing is not done in a vacuum of reason and justification.
What you are seeing on this board is just a few springs in the dam, and Apple would be wise to start figuring out why the leaks are occurring (Hint: they are being stated in clear text) before the dam breaks. The leaders with real COURAGE leave first, which are always insignificant in number, followed by the lemmings in far greater numbers.
But hey what do I know about all this crap? I have only been in IT for 20 years. Just keep telling us detractors who have previously been Apple evangelists to get lost, and that it won't matter to Apple. If you take a stroll down memory lane, IBM and Microsoft had very similar market dominance Apple currently enjoys and ignored the dam leaks just like Apple is.
Just some food for thought. Thanks for the reasonable response btw
It's worth noting that Apple's products are selling in greater quantities than ever, even as the criticism gets louder. My take is that Apple is increasingly pivoting the direction of their products to appeal to a wider customer base, at the risk of alienating its original user base.
And so long as more people are joining a platform than leaving it, I don't see what cause the investors have to complain.
The question then is - could Apple be doing this intentionally by design? You seem to believe that these cracks are signs of Apple slipping. That for some reason, they are unable to update Macs timely due to the incompetence of their leaders.
What if the cracks are there by design? What if Apple is very clear of the direction in which they are headed, are also very clear of the constraints and limitations that they face, and so have decided that it's worth sacrificing certain areas, like the Mac and router and monitor businesses, in pursuit of this goal? Perhaps they simply felt that given the current sales quantities of the Mac, it just wasn't worth the resources to update it annually? It doesn't mean they are giving up the Mac, but you need to be realistic and be prepared to see updates maybe only once every 2-3 years?
At the same time, Apple is increasingly focusing its resources on the iPhone and iPad markets, which still show potential for greater growth and sales, in addition to wanting to break into new markets such as health and wearables and self-driving cars. I can see the logic if that.
Likewise, as one door closes, another opens. What we lose in terms of "Mac evangelists", we could just as readily gain in "iPad evangelists".
My point is, Apple isn't perfect, but they aren't run by idiots either. You think they wouldn't be aware of all the points you just mentioned above?
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And of course, the standard earphone/ headphone look is so cool. It's all what you get used to.
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