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They fit better and sound better. Do you even own them?
I own the beats x but before purchasing them (they came out months after the earpods) I tested the ear pods extensively in Apple Stores. I wanted to like them I really did. I wanted the functionally of the new chip and the ease of connectivity. I could not get over the crappy sound and the weird look. I waited for the beats x and love them. Sound quality comes from noise cancellation and a secure fit.

But anyway, to each his own and sorry to rain on the parade, I am just REALLY annoyed Apple couldn't have done a better job with these. The beats x without a wire would be perfect.
 
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I just got them from Verizon Wireless after trying for literally months to get them via Apple. Wow! These are just fascinating bits of technology. I use the word magical to describe their effect combined with the iPhone 7 Plus. Don't wait six or even four weeks! Verizon added the cost to my next bill and shipped me them via FedEx 2-day!
 
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Comfort is dependent on the user ear shape and size, how often they are lost depends on the clumsiness of the user and the ‘they look silly’ joke lasted all of two weeks post-launch. Those looks jokes tend to fade when the product gets a 98% customer satisfaction notch on its belt.

Let's be honest though, most of Apple's product kind of look silly immediately after launch (remember people hating on the glass windows on the iPhone 5 design on the back?). After a couple years on the market people will be swearing up and down that they liked it from the beginning and will start to complain about the next new design.
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I've rarely seen such a consensus for a product - most on this forum seems to like them. Am I correct though that there is no way to change the volume from the AirPods directly, through some kind of tap or gesture without having to actually talk to Siri? I would hate having to pull out my phone every time I need volume adjustments, which happens quite often with my music library... The absence of built-in volume control, like on the wired Apple headphones or on most wireless other headphones, seems like a deal breaker for me.

You can change the volume on the watch if you own one, but yes, it's still a very noticeable feature omission.
 



Apple has updated its online store today to indicate that AirPods are now estimated to ship in four weeks in the United States, Europe, and many other regions, down from a six-week estimate listed since launching in December.

iPhone-7-AirPods.jpeg

Apple hasn't disclosed AirPods sales numbers, but CEO Tim Cook has routinely said demand continues to significantly outweigh supply. Earlier this week, he revealed that Apple has increased production capacity for AirPods, which has perhaps led to the quicker turnaround time now quoted.In late December, a few weeks after AirPods launched, Cook said the wireless earphones had been "a runaway success," contributing to a "great holiday" season. Cook cheerfully noted that Apple is making them as fast as it can.

AirPods are Apple's first pair of truly wireless earphones. They instantly turn on and connect to your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac when taken out of their charging case, thanks to Apple's custom W1 chip. Likewise, audio automatically plays as soon as you put them in your ears and pauses when you take them out.

AirPods are controlled mainly by Siri. Doubling tapping an earpiece invokes Siri, and voice commands can be used to adjust the volume, change the song, make a call, and so forth. AirPods deliver up to five hours of listening time on one charge, and a 15-minute fast charge provides up to three hours of listening time.

AirPods have received largely positive reviews, and they earned a 98 percent customer satisfaction rate in a recent Creative Strategies survey.

AirPods can be ordered on Apple's website for $159 in the United States. They're also frequently in stock at resellers such as AT&T and Verizon with delivery to most U.S. addresses in as little as 2-5 days.

Article Link: AirPods Now Ship in 4 Weeks, Finally Down From 6 Weeks Estimate Since December
AirPods is the best Apple innovation ever. I got one right away as soon as it was released last year and two others this year from Verizon and AT&T when they were in stock for various purposes and plan to get more when in stock for 1 day shipment at Apple occurs so I can have one at each place wherever I am always there. No too many to own. I love this gadget.
 
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I own the beats x but before purchasing them (they came out months after the earpods) I tested the ear pods extensively in Apple Stores. I wanted to like them I really did. I wanted the functionally of the new chip and the ease of connectivity. I could not get over the crappy sound and the weird look. I waited for the beats x and love them. Sound quality comes from noise cancellation and a secure fit.

But anyway, to each his own and sorry to rain on the parade, I am just REALLY annoyed Apple couldn't have done a better job with these. The beats x without a wire would be perfect.

Tested extensively in the store? Is that a joke?
 
Question though, when I open and close the lid on the case, it has a nice magneticism to it, but once outside the range of the magnet the lid feels flimsy like it's just gonna break off. Is that normal?

That's exactly how they are made. When you close the lid, it's tight and secure with the magnet. When you open it, it seems like it's kind of loose, and my AirPod battery case is the same way. There's nothing wrong with yours.
 
Guys, are they really that good to still be this constrained?
I just don't see them as this big a deal.... hmmm

It must distress you to no end to realize that many people don't think like you do. Actually those of us who have them didn't get them because we like them. We got them to annoy you.
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You forgot to jack up the price.

Really dumb statement.
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No, they’re not that good. When you mix hardcore apple fanboys with expensive EarPods, the fanboyism gets fierce.

What an absurd and incredibly ignorant and stupid statement. It would appear that when you tried them, you didn't put them in your ear, but in some other unmentionable place.
 
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Tested extensively in the store? Is that a joke?

Well, it doesn't take much to look in the mirror and laugh out loud or have people in the store tell you they look weird, but yes, I played with them enough to know they sound like crap for $160. Anyway, I will stop bashing your ear rings!!! Sorry, JUST KIDDING!!!! Steve Jobs would have never approved this design. Maybe he would have let the sub par sound go because that is what the Beats line is for but I don't think he would have signed off on these white straws.
 
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Well, it doesn't take much to look in the mirror and laugh out loud or have people in the store tell you they look weird, but yes, I played with them enough to know they sound like crap for $160. Anyway, I will stop bashing your ear rings!!! Sorry, JUST KIDDING!!!! Steve Jobs would have never approved this design. Maybe he would have let the sub par sound go because that is what the Beats line is for but I don't think he would have signed off on these white straws.
You lose any and all credibility when you’re using the “Steve Jobs would have never” excuse in 2017.

In hindsight you’re saying Jobs would not have approved of a product that gets a 98% satisfaction rate (Apple’s highest ever) for a generation one product. Whoops.
 
Maybe the "shortage" is vapor to create demand?
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That would be a resounding *Yes!*
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Well, it doesn't take much to look in the mirror and laugh out loud or have people in the store tell you they look weird, but yes, I played with them enough to know they sound like crap for $160. Anyway, I will stop bashing your ear rings!!! Sorry, JUST KIDDING!!!! Steve Jobs would have never approved this design. Maybe he would have let the sub par sound go because that is what the Beats line is for but I don't think he would have signed off on these white straws.

They may look like jizz gushing outta your ear, but the convenience supercedes their physical appearance.. at least to me...

Plus, I'm seeing more and more people ( even Android users ) sporting these now.. Eventually, the perceived strangeness will wane in pursuit of function and usability.

They surely could've been designed to me more visually pleasing..but eh!
[doublepost=1501956575][/doublepost]For those that may have *different* ears (like mine, that never could hold these in place) .. these are a God sent : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAM69IJ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Now, I can wear'em for hours w/o ear fatigue or either of them popping out!

The only downside would be having to them off prior to charging, but that's a 5 second job.
 
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You lose any and all credibility when you’re using the “Steve Jobs would have never” excuse in 2017.

In hindsight you’re saying Jobs would not have approved of a product that gets a 98% satisfaction rate (Apple’s highest ever) for a generation one product. Whoops.

Enough, I will admit I am being antagonistic. I apologize. Again, I was so looking forward to the AirPods. I am kind of sour on the design and performance. I don't see the relationship between my Steve Jobs observation and lack of credibility. The company still rocks but not as successful at innovation/creativity as it used to be with him as the CEO.
 
The company still rocks but not as successful at innovation/creativity as it used to be with him as the CEO.
The company is generating more revenue than it ever has, and it’s on no track to stop any time soon. I’d say, lack of innovation or not, it’s doing just fine.
 
The company is generating more revenue than it ever has, and it’s on no track to stop any time soon. I’d say, lack of innovation or not, it’s doing just fine.

I didn't say anything about revenue or financial success. I own the stock and it's done quite well this year. They are a machine. Apple could put their name on a Yugo and it would sell like crazy.
 
That would be a resounding *Yes!*
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They may look like jizz gushing outta your ear, but the convenience supercedes their physical appearance.. at least to me...

Plus, I'm seeing more and more people ( even Android users ) sporting these now.. Eventually, the perceived strangeness will wane in pursuit of function and usability.

They surely could've been designed to me more visually pleasing..but eh!
[doublepost=1501956575][/doublepost]For those that may have *different* ears (like mine, that never could hold these in place) .. these are a God sent : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAM69IJ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Now, I can wear'em for hours w/o ear fatigue or either of them popping out!

The only downside would be having to them off prior to charging, but that's a 5 second job.

Do you have a lot of experience with AirPods?
 
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It must distress you to no end to realize that many people don't think like you do. Actually those of us who have them didn't get them because we like them. We got them to annoy you.
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Really dumb statement.
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What an absurd and incredibly ignorant and stupid statement. It would appear that when you tried them, you didn't put them in your ear, but in some other unmentionable place.

Larry The L must be used to taking the L's with opinions like these. Obviously you haven't tried to purchase many accessories these days. Go pick up a Macbook Pro charger and when you're finished paying $120+ for the brick, plus the USB-C cable, plus the extension cable (all of which you used to get for just $79) you can tell me again how me saying Apple would jack up the prices is a dumb statement.
 
Larry The L must be used to taking the L's with opinions like these. Obviously you haven't tried to purchase many accessories these days. Go pick up a Macbook Pro charger and when you're finished paying $120+ for the brick, plus the USB-C cable, plus the extension cable (all of which you used to get for just $79) you can tell me again how me saying Apple would jack up the prices is a dumb statement.

That is a dumb statement.
 
The "Steve Jobs wouldn't like the __________ " line of posts has been going on for many years now. Substitute the newest product or newest innovation by Apple in the blank.

If Mr. Jobs would be hatin' on the AirPods, then what would he be creating? I bet Jobs would be all over the wireless audio revolution and fascinated by designing and perfecting the AirPods.

He was obsessed with simplicity in design so the audio connector would've been gone for sure, forcing disruption in the headphone/earpod world. He wanted his own chips in every device, so he would have loved the W1 chip in the Beats Solo3 wireless headphones and the AirPods. He loved miniaturization so he would approve of the cosmically tiny AirPods. Jobs understood that devices are steadily improved from a very simple design that just works (Original iPhone) to more sophisticated and feature rich designs. Jobs believed in a mobile vision for Apple and, in my opinion, would be fully embracing the wireless innovation of the AirPod.
 
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I'm just curious how many of these are actually selling. Yes, I know people who have them love them. Yes, I know they're "sold out". I take piblic transit to work every day in Boston and I just don't run across very many people with these things at all. I think, in the wild, I've seen a dozen since they came out.

Anecdotal, I know. But it still has me wondering. What are numbers like. Tens of thousands? Hundreds? Millions?

As far as trying them out I wasn't as blown away as some folks seem to be in this thread. Not enough to drop an extra $100+ over some wired buds.
 
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The "Steve Jobs wouldn't like the __________ " line of posts has been going on for many years now. Substitute the newest product or newest innovation by Apple in the blank.

If Mr. Jobs would be hatin' on the AirPods, then what would he be creating? I bet Jobs would be all over the wireless audio revolution and fascinated by designing and perfecting the AirPods.

He was obsessed with simplicity in design so the audio connector would've been gone for sure, forcing disruption in the headphone/earpod world. He wanted his own chips in every device, so he would have loved the W1 chip in the Beats Solo3 wireless headphones and the AirPods. He loved miniaturization so he would approve of the cosmically tiny AirPods. Jobs understood that devices are steadily improved from a very simple design that just works (Original iPhone) to more sophisticated and feature rich designs. Jobs believed in a mobile vision for Apple and, in my opinion, would be fully embracing the wireless innovation of the AirPod.

It was also stated after he died that he had left a roadmap of at least the next 5 years. So who is anyone to say, maybe he had a hand in the creation of the AirPods etc. Nobody knows but Apple.
 
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