Apple Released the Original AirPods Eight Years Ago Today

[MacRumors]

Today marks eight years since Apple launched the original AirPods. Unveiled in September 2016 alongside the iPhone 7, the wireless headphones became available on December 19, 2016, following a slight delay.

At the time, wireless headphones were already on the market but had not yet reached true mass popularity. AirPods helped redefine the category through their convenience and seamless integration with Apple devices. Apple's Phil Schiller at the time:

AirPods are the first headphones to deliver a breakthrough wireless audio experience, and with the new Apple W1 chip they deliver innovative features including high quality sound, great battery life and automatic setup. AirPods are simple and magical to use, with no switches or buttons, automatically connecting to all your Apple devices simply and seamlessly, and letting you access Siri with just a double tap. We can't wait for users to try them with iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2.

Priced at $159, the first-generation AirPods introduced key features such as one-tap pairing with Apple devices and in-ear detection for automatic play-pause functionality. Powered by Apple's custom W1 chip, they delivered enhanced audio quality compared to wired EarPods and set a new standard for battery life in a compact, completely wireless design.

Since their debut, AirPods have evolved with the release of second-, third-, and fourth-generation models in March 2019, October 2021, and September 2024. These updates brought improvements such as better audio quality, longer battery life, hands-free "Hey Siri" functionality, a wireless charging case, and, most recently, active noise cancellation. The product line has also expanded with the premium AirPods Pro, featuring an in-ear design and active noise cancellation, in October 2019, and the over-ear AirPods Max in December 2020.

Article Link: Apple Released the Original AirPods Eight Years Ago Today

 

[mectojic]

8 years of e-waste. I get that people like these, but seriously, long live wired headphones.

 

[555gallardo]

It's unbelievable that mine still rock after so many years, and they've outlived my iPhone 5c, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S10+ and my iPhone 12.

 

[headlessmike]

Apple really succeeded in making wireless headphones the norm.

 

[Godspeed8230]

8 years of e-waste. I get that people like these, but seriously, long live wired headphones.

If you say wired, do you mean 3.5mm, Lightning, USB-C,...

 

[mectojic]

If you say wired, do you mean 3.5mm, Lightning, USB-C,...

Doesn't matter, just needs to not rely on bluetooth or tiny batteries.

 

[Macbookey]

I remember the memes and mocking these received from the initial unveiling. I was a day one adopter and didn’t care what they looked like on me. Game changing device IMHO, and as expected, I knew it was only a matter of time before it was as ubiquitous as they are now. The freedom from wires and the comfort (depending on a person’s ears of course), rendered the headphone jack on my iPhone useless from that point on. The sound quality was acceptable for casual listening on the go, and everything about the experience of setting up and using them gave me the “only  would do this” vibes. Now on my 3rd set (Pros 2) and I cannot imagine life without them. Thank you !

 

[Godspeed8230]

Doesn't matter, just needs to not rely on bluetooth or tiny batteries.

Well, the good thing is until Apple goes 100% wireless you still have the option.

But I also find it hypocritical that Apple claims to be sustainable while products like AirPods are de facto non-repairable. And you are spot on, they account for a big portion of e-waste.

What would Mother Nature say? yeah, right...

 

[Ralfi]

Loved that time in tech. It was a personal renaissance of my musical discovery, where having cordless in ear headphones that worked so seamlessly with my iPhone allowed me to make best use of Spotify & find new music throughout my work day.

If I could sum them up in one word: Liberating.

 

[sunapple]

Firstly, that iPhone was beautiful and I still miss it.

And secondly I was skeptical of wireless buds at first but when I finally got them they completely changed my mind. Thought they would be inconvenient due to charging and their small size but that first magical feeling of true wireless was instantly enough to convince me.

 

[Avenged110]

While I never had to endure any version prior to the second generation so-called "pro" model, after suffering through several very different wireless offerings from other brands around the time of this initial AirPods launch, I'm still impressed with what Apple achieved. For one reason or another, I legitimately wanted to hate these things and had nothing but bad things to say about wireless headphones. I realize the industry has, by all accounts, finally caught up, but I have to give credit where it's due; that Apple created something that does exactly what I want it to – nearly flawlessly – and actually turned me into an AirPods user.

 

[Ralfi]

I’ve never been a fan of overhead cans. They look dated (reminding me of the 80s) & impractical. I thought in-ears would be the way forward & they’re getting there (if not already). But I am surprised overheads are still as popular as they are as they continue to look more ridiculous with each year imo.

 

[Godspeed8230]

I’ve never been a fan of overhead cans. They look dated (reminding me of the 80s) & impractical. I thought in-ears would be the way forward & they’re getting there (if not already). But I am surprised overheads are still as popular as they are as they continue to look more ridiculous with each year imo.

I have the Sonos Ace and I do think they look quite fabolous to be honest - they have a very sleek and minimalist design. Also the AirPods Max and the Bose QC look ok.
AirPods are more practical but the Noice Cancelling feature is definitely better on overhead earphones.

 

[F23]

trying them for the first time at the apple store was magical.
same magic as trying the vision pro for the first time.
I'm waiting for my next dose of magic Tim.

 

[ZZ9pluralZalpha]

While I never had to endure any version prior to the second generation so-called "pro" model, after suffering through several very different wireless offerings from other brands around the time of this initial AirPods launch, I'm still impressed with what Apple achieved. For one reason or another, I legitimately wanted to hate these things and had nothing but bad things to say about wireless headphones. I realize the industry has, by all accounts, finally caught up, but I have to give credit where it's due; that Apple created something that does exactly what I want it to – nearly flawlessly – and actually turned me into an AirPods user.

The first AirPods were the kind of product Jobs' Apple made: do just a few well-defined things at the outset, but do them so brilliantly well that any mockery of a high price tag, iconoclastic design, and missing features are soon swept away. It was the first iPod all over again, and those sniggering about drinking straws in ears soon realized they had become the "No wireless. Less space than a Nomad. Lame" crowd.

(Also, I had hair and no wrinkles! A truly magical time, indeed.)

 

[Valve1138]

I immediately bought them, discovered they wouldn’t stay in my ears, and gave them to my wife.

 

[CarpalMac]

8 years of e-waste. I get that people like these, but seriously, long live wired headphones.

I absolutely kid you not, that has been the device name of my iphones for the last 8 years.

 

[TonyTech]

I immediately bought them, discovered they wouldn’t stay in my ears, and gave them to my wife.

Imagine accidentally dropping them in the toilet because of a poor fit.😳

 

[Populus]

Loved that time in tech. It was a personal renaissance of my musical discovery, where having cordless in ear headphones that worked so seamlessly with my iPhone allowed me to make best use of Spotify & find new music throughout my work day.

If I could sum them up in one word: Liberating.

I may be close to a second personal renaissance of my music discovery, like you said. Because recently, I’ve gotten a Beats Studio Pro and the ANC and the sound are both truly awesome.

So maybe it’s time to start listening again my favourite songs… or discovering new artists/albums from my preferred genres.

 

[I7guy]

They were ridiculed, like so much apple stuff in Tim cooks apple, and changed the landscape yet once again.

 

[Mike_Trivisonno]

Hard to believe I've had these things crammed in my ears for eight years.

 

[wanha]

AirPods are the best new product Apple has introduced since Steve Jobs passed away

 

[bigjnyc]

This design was so ridiculed and meme'd lol... It was pretty funny.... Me not being the type that cares about public opinion though I got these day 1... Unfortunately they wouldn't stay in my ear... I really tried everything. But alas I had to give up on them and just gave them to my wife..... It wasn't until the Airpods Pro design that I was able to enjoy the magic of Airpods.

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

OMG yup remember the hate and ridicule? No one is going to wear these! Apple fails once again! This is innovation?!…lol

 

[spillled typos]

This was one of those rare product announcements where I immediately knew that I'd always needed them.