AirPods to be Available in Apple Retail Stores Starting Monday Morning

[bluespark]

They are still overpriced. Regardless of one's opinion of the sound quality and battery life, they cost around the same as some much better products out there. It's more of a fashion product than a "good tool" that just happens to look good (which is what Apple used to be known for)

Disagree. They are imperfect but the pricing is highly competitive.

 

[roland.g]

Although I would love a non-white color not sure about that. After all the standard EarPods still only come in white after all these years.

I agree and I don't see that changing. And while I do sense that Apple may opt to do the same with the AirPods, I think that enough people will dislike how they look that Apple will attempt to overcome this by color accessorizing them. I never thought a Gold or Rose Gold iPhone would be popular but for some reason they are.

 

[The 12th Man]

Just wanna say, super excited to pick a pair up in stores, hopefully! I'll be checking the Apple Store App/Website for In Store Pickup, and also istocknow.com. Haha.

 

[Suckfest 9001]

My question then is - overpriced relative to what? What other product out there does what the Airpods is currently promising?

I am buying them because of the promise of ease of pairing and connectivity. For me, the best sounding headphones are useless if they are a pain to use. I am perfectly okay with giving up sound quality in exchange for a range of other conveniences.

For starters, the Airpods have their own charging case, so the odds of my wireless headphones running out of battery in the middle of the day is very slim (plus I can monitor the battery life from my iPhone battery widget). The music automatically plays when I wear the Airpods and pause when I remove them. The case allows for easy storage and there aren't any wires dangle around my neck.

I have an Apple Watch which I can use to control the volume, so I am not too bothered by the absence of volume controls on the Airpods.

I am also very much intrigued by the premise of having a pair of "Siri sticks" on my ears and the sort of utility it can enable.

The fallacy in your argument is that you assume only sound quality matters in a pair of headphones and nothing else. I am willing to pay for all these little conveniences which take the friction out of using these headphones in public.

Disagree. They are imperfect but the pricing is highly competitive.

If you're willing to forgo the the lack of connection between each earbud, then there are many Bluetooth alternatives out there.

If you're set on the lack of connection, then yes, the AirPods are "competitively priced," but all that means is "they have a good cost compared to other cord-free earbuds," which is a market that (due to its infancy perhaps) is overpriced as it is.

If I absolutely must point out a good competitor for these, I'd probably be looking at Samsung's offering, which has extra activity tracking and built in storage for music. Personally though, I wouldn't touch Samsung with a ten foot pole but it's an option for some people and only costs 40 dollars more despite offering extra functionality.

As an aside, I would actually like to buy AirPods at some point, but them costing over 200 dollars plus tax CAD despite (relative to my EarPods for example) offering a lesser sound quality and making me have to worry about battery life, etc... it's just not worth it yet. For me, anyway.

 

[Abazigal]

If you're willing to forgo the the lack of connection between each earbud, then there are many Bluetooth alternatives out there.

If you're set on the lack of connection, then yes, the AirPods are "competitively priced," but all that means is "they have a good cost compared to other cord-free earbuds," which is a market that (due to its infancy perhaps) is overpriced as it is.

If I absolutely must point out a good competitor for these, I'd probably be looking at Samsung's offering, which has extra activity tracking and built in storage for music. Personally though, I wouldn't touch Samsung with a ten foot pole but it's an option for some people and only costs 40 dollars more despite offering extra functionality.

So on one hand, you claim the airpods are overpriced, then respond by recommending me an alternative which costs more???

 

[Suckfest 9001]

So on one hand, you claim the airpods are overpriced, then respond by recommending me an alternative which costs more???

But also does more. I wrote this in my reply to you - please go back and read all of it this time

 

[Silver78]

I got a bad feeling about these being rushed to market the week before Christmas

I ordered a pair anyways

 

[Abazigal]

But also does more. I wrote this in my reply to you - please go back and read all of it this time

True, but not really more of what I want. The battery life estimates of the Samsung earbuds haven't been all that stellar either (less than 2 hours), and I feel that by and large, third-party OEMs just can't beat the tight-knit integration Apple products have with one another.

It's like how after using the Apple Pencil, every other iPad stylus now sucks in comparison.

 

[imaginex20]

But also does more. I wrote this in my reply to you - please go back and read all of it this time

And also has horrible battery life. Reviews of it says it lasts at max 1.5 hrs during workouts. Horrible.

 

[BvizioN]

cant wait to see people walking around looking like they have cotton hanging out of their ears

I wonder how having a stupid wires coming out of their pocket, neck, chest or whatever makes them look anymore normal?? So yeah, this will be quite the norm. But some people as always will be ...... bit slow on processing changes,

 

[The Game 161]

this makes sense considering i will get mine on monday

 

[ryanwarsaw]

I got a bad feeling about these being rushed to market the week before Christmas

I wouldn't worry too much. The price isn't that much so the risk isn't exactly all that high. Also they can easily push a firmware update if need be. If the sound is distorted they can just set a volume they play well at and axe the volume controls for example.
[doublepost=1481874917][/doublepost]

they use bluetooth for sound, so...

and it's a pair of earpods ffs, they won't sound great as is

So you are just opposed to bluetooth in general? I assume you go on forums and complain about Braggi pods? They are just BT earpods ffs after all.

Your objections have been duly noted. Can the grown ups talk now?

 

[44267547]

Disagree. They are imperfect but the pricing is highly competitive.

The pricing isn't outrageous. But if these don't deliver an abundant experience, then perhaps these will appear overpriced based on user reviews. We will know shortly.

 

[Johnny907]

The pricing isn't outrageous. But if these don't deliver an abundant experience, then perhaps these will appear overpriced based on user reviews. We will know shortly.

Agree. Outrageous pricing would be 200 bucks for the Powerbeats. I pity anyone who pays full price for those things.

 

[Kroo]

If you're willing to forgo the the lack of connection between each earbud, then there are many Bluetooth alternatives out there.

If you're set on the lack of connection, then yes, the AirPods are "competitively priced," but all that means is "they have a good cost compared to other cord-free earbuds," which is a market that (due to its infancy perhaps) is overpriced as it is.

If I absolutely must point out a good competitor for these, I'd probably be looking at Samsung's offering, which has extra activity tracking and built in storage for music. Personally though, I wouldn't touch Samsung with a ten foot pole but it's an option for some people and only costs 40 dollars more despite offering extra functionality.

As an aside, I would actually like to buy AirPods at some point, but them costing over 200 dollars plus tax CAD despite (relative to my EarPods for example) offering a lesser sound quality and making me have to worry about battery life, etc... it's just not worth it yet. For me, anyway.

So you've tested them then? If not, your inane comments are no more than rants bordering on insults. Instead of being a total wet blanket, let people be to enjoy whatever it is they want to enjoy. Now if you have actually tested them yourself, and have some real world technical, comparative advice, please, contribute, otherwise you just add to the minutia and irrelevance this site is becoming famous for. So either pee, or get off the pot. Whatever sick pleasure you feel you're gaining from being a moaning Myrtle, nobody cares really.

 

[ryanwarsaw]

Actually, based on the fact 15 min will get you 3 hours, I'd love an audible alarm at the final 15 min. of play time.

I see what you mean but if they are in for 13 minutes or 17 minutes shouldn't really matter much. I would love a digital display that showed time charging. We all know that isn't going to happen. My take on the 15 minute charge is that you let them charge a short period. Get up go to the bathroom, use your iPhone's breath app and by the time you are finished you have enough juice to continue.

LOL At the guy recommending Samsung's which are more expensive but he wouldn't touch Samsung with a ten foot pole. Then continues to say he actually wants Airpods but needs more time to save up his allowance because he doesn't have $209 Canadian.

Maybe sell of a portion of your $1,000 true audiophile equipment?

 

[GalaDaliGirl]

It's comical that all of these people are fooled by Apple's release of something that has been around for 7 years.

Wireless! Oh my god no wires!

Get a grip.

 

[yegon]

I'm yet to see or hear of a well reviewed direct alternative to the AirPods at a a similar price, and I've been keeping a very close eye on this specific product type for years. Motorola, Samsung, Bragi*, a brand beginning with E (always forget the name), cheapo Amazon off brand models. All have had deal breaking flaws in one or more of the following - battery, signal issues (drop outs, out of sync), and are similarly priced (bar the cheapo ones). AirPods have neither of these issues. Fit and lack of playback controls is an issue for some, but the product actually works, unlike the alternatives I've investigated.

Equally, appears some cannot distinguish between truly wireless and 'traditional' wireless BT earphones, endlessly regurgitating 'but but I can get BT earbuds for $30 of Amazon'. Yawn.

Roll on Monday when mine hopefully get delivered

*Latest Bragi's look quite good and review well, not exhibiting the usual flaws. Would probably get a pair if the AirPods didn't exist. They do suffer from an unfortunate lack of a battery case though. Weird oversight, decent product otherwise.

 

[kissmo]

As opposed to cotton with strings connected to it like we've been used to for 15 years?

Or those 1 speaker bluetooth headsets that make you look like you have hearing aids?
I think people cross the borders with the looks in general.
They are discrete enough.
What on Earth do people imagine these should look like?

These are not just speakers, they have microphone too.
I cannot imagine right now how else a design could be?

They look like Qtips from a Dental floss case.
Well better than those speakers who look like Russian earmuffs for girls...

Get married, make some kids, see if you care anymore how and what others think of what speakers you have in your ears
If my wife seems fine... the rest of the world can go and Samsung themselves....

 

[jkruehne]

I really like the box/charger – top design.
but those "sticks hanging loose out your ears" – a no go design wise.

they have to be some kind of "round around the ears" or so (IMO)

 

[ryanwarsaw]

I'm yet to see or hear of a well reviewed direct alternative to the AirPods at a a similar price, and I've been keeping a very close eye on this specific product type for years. Motorola, Samsung, Bragi*, a brand beginning with E (always forget the name), cheapo Amazon off brand models. All have had deal breaking flaws in one or more of the following - battery, signal issues (drop outs, out of sync), and are similarly priced (bar the cheapo ones). AirPods have neither of these issues. Fit and lack of playback controls is an issue for some, but the product actually works, unlike the alternatives I've investigated.

Equally, appears some cannot distinguish between truly wireless and 'traditional' wireless BT earphones, endlessly regurgitating 'but but I can get BT earbuds for $30 of Amazon'. Yawn.

Roll on Monday when mine hopefully get delivered

*Latest Bragi's look quite good and review well, not exhibiting the usual flaws. Would probably get a pair if the AirPods didn't exist. They do suffer from an unfortunate lack of a battery case though. Weird oversight, decent product otherwise.

Agreed. If you have an iPhone you have the best music player and playback controls there is. I don't ever intend to buy an Apple watch but I guess if you have one you are golden.

Just a thought but would it be possible for third parties to make add on controls? Maybe the idea is silly but perhaps a volume, EQ, FM radio?

 

[yegon]

Just a thought but would it be possible for third parties to make add on controls? Maybe the idea is silly but perhaps a volume, EQ, FM radio?

I wish this would become possible - all I'd want is the ability to skip forward through blasted ads in Overcast, there's been a revolution in mattress and razor purchasing but I DO NOT CARE - but cannot see it happening unfortunately


Regarding how they look, in a few months no one will give a monkeys about what they look like. Self conscious, over sensitive people said big phones looked stupid. Now self conscious, over sensitive people everywhere are using big phones.

Besides, I agree with kissmo above, with a little age and responsibility you shed that self conscious side of you that worries about such nonsense as what people think of your earphones. Good grief.

 

[jkruehne]

As opposed to cotton with strings connected to it like we've been used to for 15 years?

well not sure if that is the point. with wires attached they look like a known accessory (wires, connector, in ear things) – as alone sticks it's an totally different issue. not cool in any way. wrong form (IMO)

 

[admob71]

Hahah. Not at all. I've never been more excited for an Apple product and a lot of people are saying the same thing. Apart from people like you, JELLY.

This makes no sense, you can buy BT headphones now, if you were that desperate to get some you would already. Are you saying just another more sillier pair of BT headphones are more exiting than say the first iPhone or ipad?

 

[votdfak]

Have any of the early testers posted about video/audio sync?

No other bluetooth speakers or headphones have cured that lag yet... but they're usually aimed at audio alone, so the issue doesn't matter. I suspect iPhone users might be a little surprised if they can't watch Youtube on the bus.

No troubles here, Beoplay H7, but price is much higher than AirPods.