Apple Increased AirPods Production Capacity, But Still Unable to Meet Demand

[alphaod]

I was browsing the Apple Store app one morning whilst sitting on the throne wondering when these Airpods were available for preorder, and to my surprised they showed shipping the following week, so I ordered three of them.

Little did I know that stroke of luck meant I didn't have to wait six weeks and I've been enjoying my set since release day and people still can't seem to buy them.

Following that morning, I now browse the Apple Store app every morning in hope that Apple will finally release an updated Mac Pro.

 

[bensisko]

They are not DESIGNED to work in conjunction with the case. They are FORCED to work in conjunction with the case precisely because you cannot leave the case at home due to the 5-hour battery life.

I realize that battery technology is what it is, and the case is certainly pretty small and seamless (good job Apple!) but, non the less, the reality is that the case is yet another thing you MUST carry in your pocket when you leave the house, along with your home keys, car keys, phone, wallet, etc. I do not appreciate having to stuff up yet another item in my jeans pockets.

A few more hours of battery juice would solve that issue. I hope version 2.0 will solve it.

Actually, I'm pretty sure they were DEISGNED to work in conjunction with the case. Forced is when you have to carry a 3rd party power brick with you to charge your iPhone while playing Pokémon Go. Designed is they realized something so small would have a short battery life so they designed a pretty elegant solution that is both a case and a charger and they made it so they charge very quickly.

I wouldn't count on version 2 doing too much in the way of battery life. At best you can hope for another hour (with a slight boost in capacity and some big software enhancements).

Don't get me wrong - I understand the want for more battery power (for me, the AirPods are fine, but I want a longer lasting battery in the Apple Pencil), but from a practical matter I'm not sure I would leave the house without the case anyway - too easy to loose (Or break) otherwise.
[doublepost=1501646662][/doublepost]

Won't be a problem after ~March of next year. My Tesla Model 3 will use the iPhone as a key, so I'll have one less key fob on my key ring. The case can take that place of that.

You lucky son of a...
*Erghm* um... I mean to say "Congradulations on your new car"

 

[KPOM]

And they look ridiculous.... probably why no one is knocking them off.

And yet another ear bud from Apple that is not designed to actually stay in the ear. Every earbud I've gotten with an iPhone still sits in the boxes in the closet unused. I need them to stay in the ear or they are useless.

How do they look ridiculous? They are the same shape as their regular earbuds. They just don't have a cord.
[doublepost=1501647336][/doublepost]These are the best wireless earbuds I've ever owned for use on phone calls. And I've had quite a few. Apple really knocked it out of the park with this one. People on the other end can say I sound great.

 

[Michael Scrip]

They are not DESIGNED to work in conjunction with the case. They are FORCED to work in conjunction with the case precisely because you cannot leave the case at home due to the 5-hour battery life.

I realize that battery technology is what it is, and the case is certainly pretty small and seamless (good job Apple!) but, non the less, the reality is that the case is yet another thing you MUST carry in your pocket when you leave the house, along with your home keys, car keys, phone, wallet, etc. I do not appreciate having to stuff up yet another item in my jeans pockets.

A few more hours of battery juice would solve that issue. I hope version 2.0 will solve it.

If you didn't bring the case... you'd have two loose AirPods rolling around in your pocket.

But with the case... the AirPods are stored inside the case... so it's only one thing in your pocket.

And like you said... the case is very small. So that "yet another thing" shouldn't really be a problem. It provides protection and battery charging in a tiny package.

Check out some competing wireless earbuds and look at both the physical size of the earbuds themselves... and the physical size of the case.

Oh I'm with you... I'd love a huge advancement in battery technology.

But it's not here yet... so Apple is doing pretty well right now compared to the other guys.

 

[convergent]

How do they look ridiculous? They are the same shape as their regular earbuds. They just don't have a cord.
[doublepost=1501647336][/doublepost]These are the best wireless earbuds I've ever owned for use on phone calls. And I've had quite a few. Apple really knocked it out of the park with this one. People on the other end can say I sound great.

They look like goofy earrings from Star Wars or something. And as I said, without anything to hold it in the ear, they would fall out of my ears like all the other Apple ear pods, except with no cord to catch it would be on the floor.

If you like them that's great. I don't care how great the sound quality is, i wouldn't be able to use them and I'd be shocked if I'm the only one.

 

[Karma*Police]

I want to call BS on this but of course I don't know. How, after 6 months, is it not possible to catch up? This seems to happen with a lot of electronics lately. Is it really that demand outstrips supply? Or are the companies hedging their bets and producing smaller amounts. Or are they creating more demand with lower supply? Or are there supply chain issues?

The haters and the business-ignorant always come up with this "Apple is deliberately constraining supply" BS when the reality is, forecasting, especially for a brand new product, is more art than science. In an ideal world, Apple would always have supply and demand be in perfect balance because it's good for business.

But it's not an ideal world so they forecasted conservatively because it's better to have less inventory than a glut of it. Combine that with extreme demand and you have the situation Appple's in now. It's really that simple... No need to conjure up conspiracy theories.

[doublepost=1501648788][/doublepost]

They look like goofy earrings from Star Wars or something. And as I said, without anything to hold it in the ear, they would fall out of my ears like all the other Apple ear pods, except with no cord to catch it would be on the floor.

If you like them that's great. I don't care how great the sound quality is, i wouldn't be able to use them and I'd be shocked if I'm the only one.

Except they're not like the other EarPods. I had the same issue but not with AirPods.

Also, they look a lot less ridiculous than people with the same exact thing but with wires dangling from their ears, like some kind of robot that's plugged into an energy source.

You should try them before dismissing them. Apple has a 2 week return policy.

 

[gigaguy]

They are ugly but the interface to Watch, phone, and Mac is seamless.
I use them at home but walks or hikes no, they fall out. I tried wearing them upside down and switched ears, they fit better and have more bass. Worn normally the sound for me is too bright.
Waiting on black soft bud type.
Super easy online purchase at att online, have ordered several, get them in less than a week.

 

[Quu]

Or, more accurately, some people will buy anything with an Apple logo at any price and then come here to MacRumors and complain about how much they hate it, until they buy the next new Apple product and do it all over again.

Conversely, some people don't buy anything with an Apple logo at any price and still come here to complain. I suspect there are a few people in this thread that fit that description.

Is there some way I can complain? I'm looking for any loophole to be enraged here and I need assistance.

But for real I love my Airpods, great product, I listen to a lot more music now than I ever did because of the convenience level is off the charts with these things.

 

[borgusio]

The regular EarPods Fall all the time from my right ear, not the left one. So, airpods won't be something for me unfortunately.

I see all the time people at the airport looking for their AirPods on the ground and I do not want to be one of them.

What is surprising is how many people claim to have no problems whatsoever. I assume that everyone should try for him/herself.

 

[kwandrews]

No kidding! I've had numerous bluetooth earpieces and headsets over the years. The AirPods make them seem Stone Age in comparison. I ordered mine on 13 Dec 2016 and received them the 28th of Dec. I use them daily for conference calls, video meetings, music, podcasts, etc. For podcasts and business meetings, I use just one AirPod, usually in my right ear. For music and movies, I use them both...of course. They pair so well with the iPhone, iPad Pro, MacBook Pro and AppleTV it's nuts!

The best thing? I love them with my AppleTV! I can watch movies / TV with them at night and not annoy my wife! I wouldn't trade them for anything else, except maybe gen 2 when they arrive!
[doublepost=1501649852][/doublepost]

...How comparable are they to the quality of the lightning EarPods? What is real battery life like? Also how much of an impact does it have on the battery life of a 7 plus for example? Equal or less to an Apple Watch? Do you think the 2nd gen is worth the wait if one doesn't have a pair by now? It's already almost a year after the keynote.

Buy them now, gen2 will be harder to get! Just buy them and be happy There is no comparison in function to any other EarPods, etc. Sound wise, I love them! Battery = great on the AirPods, I'm still getting slightly more than stated in the literature. I haven't noticed any drain on my iPhone 6 plus at all, no more than any other bluetooth and that's not much at all. I think the lightning EarPods would drain your 7 more as they don't have their own independent power supply like the AirPods.

 

[Tubamajuba]

Is there some way I can complain? I'm looking for any loophole to be enraged here and I need assistance.

But for real I love my Airpods, great product, I listen to a lot more music now than I ever did because of the convenience level is off the charts with these things.

You really really hate mayonnaise, and you rightfully complain about it.

But yeah, I admit that I wasn't too keen on AirPods when they were announced. Seeing all these positive reviews of them makes me want them!

 

[kwandrews]

The haters and the business-ignorant always come up with this "Apple is deliberately constraining supply" BS when the reality is, forecasting, especially for a brand new product, is more art than science. In an ideal world, Apple would always have supply and demand be in perfect balance because it's good for business.

But it's not an ideal world so they forecasted conservatively because it's better to have less inventory than a glut of it. Combine that with extreme demand and you have the situation Appple's in now. It's really that simple... No need to conjure up conspiracy theories.

[doublepost=1501648788][/doublepost]

Except they're not like the other EarPods. I had the same issue but not with AirPods.

Also, they look a lot less ridiculous than people with the same exact thing but with wires dangling from their ears, like some kind of robot that's plugged into an energy source.

You should try them before dismissing them. Apple has a 2 week return policy.

Ditto! I thought they may be goofy too. Nope. Much better than wires all around. They stay in better for me than EarPods....by a long shot. They are comfortable for me, sound great, and overall are a stellar product, so good, I could care less what they look like. When walking about, I'm usually listening to a podcast. In that case, I have it my right ear and nothing my left. Most people never notice unless looking at me from the side. Looks better than a massive black bluetooth with a blinking blue light, or the ridiculous BT's with the boom mic OR the wireless BT headsets that hang around your neck and then have wires. Love these AirPods.

 

[himanshumodi]

I am one of those for whom the only earphones which stay in the ear are the Apple ones. I mean... i can tug at the wire they won't come out. I have dropped the phone at times with the earphones in, and the phone dangles on the wire with the earphones still in my ears. I really want to get these airpods. Looks like they will be available in India only after they release the gen 2.

 

[Dave245]

and people were laughing their butts off right when Apple announced the price. looking at you MKBHD

And it's the same now with the HomePod, people saying at $349 it won't sell and so on

 

[itsmilo]

Ordered mine on July 4th. ETD is Aug 22nd.
I'd love to know how many Apple has sold to date if they still can't cope with the demand.
Best selling headphones of all time?

Dont get them straight from the source. I ordered them at a phone provider on a monday and haf them by wednesday.

Also who in their right mind would not store them in the case at all times. Lost within minutes ... mine are never running out of battery thanks to the convenient case

 

[farewelwilliams]

Some people will buy anything with an apple logo at any price.

then there shouldn't be any reason to laugh.
[doublepost=1501653650][/doublepost]

I go running with them on. Ironically they stay in better than any other sport bud I've used. So I guess they either fit well or not st all.
They have never fallen out of
my ears.

i wouldn't say it's ironic. i always knew that wires were 95% of the reason why earbuds fall out.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

I love my AirPods. I got them on release day from my nearest Apple Store....they only had six pairs in stock. I use them virtually every day. They work perfectly with my phone and I use my watch for volume and playlist control. Never had an issue with them. They don't fall out of my ears unlike the EarPods and as for looking stupid, well no more ridiculous than two pieces of cord hanging down from my ears.

 

[Kal El]

Here in the UK still showing 6 weeks direct from Apple but my closest Argos (catelog store) has them available for immediate pickup

 

[carpleror]

Was super hesitant about these when they were announced. The tech and demo was cool, but I thought they looked awkward and were expensive. I held off for a couple months saying I wouldn't bite on this one, but being an Apple fanboy I ended up pulling the trigger and waiting the 7 weeks. There are very few products in this world worth a 7 week wait, but this is absolutely one of them!

Seamless integration, super convenient to use, and really polished overall. Also, I've never had an issue with them not fitting. I run with them in, commute with them on the train to work, and wear them at the gym. Not only have they never fallen out, but I've never even been concerned that they might.

Without a doubt, the best product Apple has released in years!!

 

[BvizioN]

Seems the majority of MacRumors members thought they'd be a total failure and those that did buy them would lose them instantly.

They even made a funny animated video showing someone dancing with Airpods and making it look as they would fall on every move. I have used mine since first day they were released and I have not had them even once falling from my ears. And I use them while running regularly.

 

[FactVsOpinion]

And they look ridiculous.... probably why no one is knocking them off.

And yet how would you then explain why apparently so many people are buying them?

And aren't high sales the bottomline for whether a company wants to create a knock off ? Suggests many companies would if they could.

 

[hotgril]

In other words: planned paucity = $$$

How exactly? Does any significant portion of the market read news about AirPods supply?
[doublepost=1501655256][/doublepost]

Surprise me the fact that there is no real competitor por AirPods. They are a genuine piece of tech that only Apple can do™

The phones themselves have the same unique and controversial design as the EarPods (which I really like), and the carrying case is pretty unique. I admit the product is sleek, but I still would never buy it.

"The numbers showed that Apple had taken a 26 percent share of wireless headphone sales in December 2016 with its AirPods." - CNET

 

[Spendlove]

If you’re in the UK, John Lewis always seem to have stock. Their website has said 10+ in stock for a while now. Plus you get a 2 year warranty, as with all electronics bought from John Lewis.

Handy for me there's one in town... I might have to get some.

 

[matrix07]

I totally disagree with them sounding better than the earpods. They sound about the same.

Then your ears are really bad, or you're comparing them in a very noisy environment.

 

[Hardscan451]

And they look ridiculous.... probably why no one is knocking them off.

And yet another ear bud from Apple that is not designed to actually stay in the ear. Every earbud I've gotten with an iPhone still sits in the boxes in the closet unused. I need them to stay in the ear or they are useless.

Have you tried them? Mine have never fell out once or even come close to falling out and that's with running and other activities. They can't look any solider than having a dangling wire from your head to your jeans pocket.