Apple to Debut New AirPods This Year With Handsfree 'Hey, Siri' Voice Command Feature, 'Water-Resistant' Models Coming in 2019

[Macaholic868]

I'm still in shock these things actually sell. Uncomfortable, poor sound quality, poor design, poor fit, you name it. Ear buds used to be free with devices, now people shell out hundreds of dollars for them because they're wireless, which means you now have the privilege of charging both a phone and a headphone case?

I cringe hard when I see people walking around with two sperm shaped pieces of plastic dangling from their ears.

I’m pissed they don’t offer an Earbud case with the iPhone X. Good thing I saved previous cases. You can get the Earbuds in there but it’s not an exact fit. If I’m dropping over a grand on a phone the least Apple could do was throw in a plastic case that probably costs a buck to make in China.

As for the AirPods, if I regularly walked or jogged and needed a wireless solution I’d think about it but I’ve got to believe their prone to falling out of your years and I know I’d lose them somewhere at some point. They need a feature that lets the individual AirPods emit a loud tone when lost or it’s not worth the money.

 

[Tech198]

I’m pissed they don’t offer an Earbud case with the iPhone X. Good thing I saved previous cases. You can get the Earbuds in there but it’s not an exact fit. If I’m dropping over a grand on a phone the least Apple could do was throw in a plastic case that probably costs a buck to make in China.

This is basically going back to the old methods, as the only way though..

We like Bluetooth as its convenient.... but then we have carry cases for extra stuff.... where as a simple wire the Thunderbolt port for audio would have been better since if they fall out of your ears your are not going to loose them if they are still connected to the phone physically

 

[Starship67]

Apparently not

Only in your mind.

 

[dazz87]

Really I just purchased mine last year.
I believe that Apple should allowed people that just purchased their 1st generation AirPods to swap for the 2nd generation without any cost.

Yeah i think thats coming soon.......

 

[sidewinder3000]

I love my AirPods, but really hope that Apple finds a solution that allows them to fit a wider variety of ear sizes, whether by making them adjustable or offering different sizes.

Yesterday, Tim Cook said that Apple's focus is always on "products and people," yet making such a cool product that leaves out a huge number of people because they have the wrong ear size kinda sends a weird message and leaves those people feeling left out. Offering a one-size-fits-all product that's meant to be worn on a the insane variety of human body shapes & sizes just doesn't cut it if they want to live up to that "products & people" focus.

 

[BeforeTheMeds]

What I'd really like are some soft silicone tipped AirPods. That hard plastic is just too uncomfortable for me.

I agree.

If they are the same size as the wired earpods they would just fall out. I understand the pods fit a lot of people, but its a one size deal. Something with several sizes if silicone tips. Earhooks work for a while but I gave up.

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Really I just purchased mine last year.
I believe that Apple should allowed people that just purchased their 1st generation AirPods to swap for the 2nd generation without any cost.

Bwahahaha. I want the same on every apple product I buy. A free upgrade when a new version comes out. I want a free new car every year.

Good luck with that, what company does it.
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I agree 100%. My ears are not in working alignment with the air pods as-is; so I needed a solution.

Enter “rubber tips” I purchased on a amazon for about $5 for 3 pairs. They are silicon that slide over the ends of each ear piece. They work AMAZING; keep everything held tight without fear or worry of them coming out. And super comfortable as well.

Only drawback is they don’t fit back into the charging case with the rubber tips on them. Simple enough solution; I keep the charging case and a lightning cable in a little plastic zip bag. When I am not using them, or charging them, the tips stay IN the bag as well. Keeps everything together for convenience (things don’t get lost in my bag), protects the pods from weather and elements, and always know where the tips are when ready for pod use.

Easy solution and now I’m never without them.

YMMV


Best,

USVet

I have used earhooks and several different versions but I have acidic skin or something as they do not last long (any jewelry other than silver or gold goes fast). Earbuds with silicone tips last though.

 

[uwdude]

No Apple, I'm not going to buy a new set of Airpods every year just to get one new feature each year. Not going to happen.

 

[citysnaps]

Great. Still a "one size fits less than half the population" design that will fall out of our ears, leaving a billion dollars lying on the table from people like me who will never, ever buy them.

Perhaps you should give a pair of AirPods a try before making such a claim?

 

[KmanOz]

The HomePod takes priority every time I use. The iPhone lights up but does nothing once the HomePod takes over.

Great. The issue still exists with the watch and iPhone though. I hop they work it out

 

[CarlJ]

No Apple, I'm not going to buy a new set of Airpods every year just to get one new feature each year. Not going to happen.

Strawman. They're not asking you to. Do you buy a new car every year? The new model has some new gizmo! They're simply continuing to improve the product. When they leave a device unmodified for several years, people (rightly) get upset that it appears to be abandoned.

 

[Abazigal]

I'm still in shock these things actually sell. Uncomfortable, poor sound quality, poor design, poor fit, you name it. Ear buds used to be free with devices, now people shell out hundreds of dollars for them because they're wireless, which means you now have the privilege of charging both a phone and a headphone case?

I cringe hard when I see people walking around with two sperm shaped pieces of plastic dangling from their ears.

Sounds like a classic case of cognitive dissonance.

1) I think Airpods are stupid.
2) Other people think the Airpods are awesome.
3) I am too stubborn to admit that I am wrong even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
4) Therefore, it must be the others who are wrong. If they like it, it must be because they are too dumb to see “the truth”.

I use my Airpods every day and I love them very much. It’s the only earphones I ever use these days. They are that comfortable and portable.

Go ahead. Tell me how I am wrong to like the Airpods?

 

[bluush]

You name it. The AirPods are none of these.

For people who are having trouble with fit: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AirPods-Ear-Hook-Cover-Spigen-TEKA-Silicone-Earhooks-Holder-for-Apple-Air-Pods/232585295697?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&var=531980502733&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_11?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=spigen+teka+ra200+airpods+earhooks+cover+for+apple+airpods&sprefix=spigen+teka,aps,331&crid=UXQ846UW9M3E

Great, now we have to buy even more accessories just to make the product work right.

Big fat fail.

 

[Abazigal]

I love my AirPods, but really hope that Apple finds a solution that allows them to fit a wider variety of ear sizes, whether by making them adjustable or offering different sizes.

Yesterday, Tim Cook said that Apple's focus is always on "products and people," yet making such a cool product that leaves out a huge number of people because they have the wrong ear size kinda sends a weird message and leaves those people feeling left out. Offering a one-size-fits-all product that's meant to be worn on a the insane variety of human body shapes & sizes just doesn't cut it if they want to live up to that "products & people" focus.

That just means that Apple as a company has its limitations and constraints just like every other company out there, and there are certain markets they simply can’t or won’t serve.

Apple isn’t obligated to release 10 different variants of Airpods to fit every single ear size out there. If it doesn’t suit you, then simply don’t buy it.

 

[The Game 161]

I'm still in shock these things actually sell. Uncomfortable, poor sound quality, poor design, poor fit, you name it. Ear buds used to be free with devices, now people shell out hundreds of dollars for them because they're wireless, which means you now have the privilege of charging both a phone and a headphone case?

I cringe hard when I see people walking around with two sperm shaped pieces of plastic dangling from their ears.

They sell because they are great tech

Sound quality is perfectly fine.

I hardly see having to charge the air pods once a week is some difficult task

I cringe when I see people using those annoying wires hanging down from your ears. Just looks annoying and weird so each to their own

 

[jonnyb]

If you placed a person wearing AirPods and a person wearing ordinary wired earphones in front of a person from the 18th century they would not be able to tell you which earphone wearer looked more absurd.

 

[vnrwka]

I’m skeptical of this report for a couple of reasons:

1. The AirPods are already resistant to water, ie sweat, which is roughly equivalent to “a splash of rain or water.” Does anyone here seriously believe that every time the AirPods get wet you have to replace them? Lol, no.

2. While I could certainly see Apple producing a new and substantially improved AirPod in a couple of years, Apple does not tend to “burn” early adopters so much these days. I suspect it will get updated about as often as the Apple Watch or the Apple TV, for precisely the same reasons: they’ve made such a substantial change that new hardware is required.

I agree. If Apple is working on new airpods, why didn't they hint us along with the new charging case and airpower ? I prolly should wait for the new case to come out and buy customized airpods on colorware

 

[Lancer]

2020 they will release the implant version!

 

[ggibson913]

Water or Sweat resistant would be perfect can't wait.
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I’m skeptical of this report for a couple of reasons:

1. The AirPods are already resistant to water, ie sweat, which is roughly equivalent to “a splash of rain or water.” Does anyone here seriously believe that every time the AirPods get wet you have to replace them? Lol, no.

2. While I could certainly see Apple producing a new and substantially improved AirPod in a couple of years, Apple does not tend to “burn” early adopters so much these days. I suspect it will get updated about as often as the Apple Watch or the Apple TV, for precisely the same reasons: they’ve made such a substantial change that new hardware is required.

I have actually heard the opposite that they are not sweat resistant. You can use them for workouts but as I understand it over time they will fail.

 

[richman555]

I like using my AirPods for conference calls as opposed to the wireless headset they provide at work.

Sometimes I even forget that I have them in.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I'm still in shock these things actually sell. Uncomfortable, poor sound quality, poor design, poor fit, you name it. Ear buds used to be free with devices, now people shell out hundreds of dollars for them because they're wireless, which means you now have the privilege of charging both a phone and a headphone case?

I cringe hard when I see people walking around with two sperm shaped pieces of plastic dangling from their ears.

You say that but by your very statement you don't seem to actually own a pair. So how can you fairly judge them? Perhaps they don't fit you well. Different people have different ears. But clearly they fit many people or you wouldn't see people wearing them. For $160 they sound fine. Outside, in a plane, all sorts of places where there is external noise. No, it's not like a concert at Carnegie Hall. Yes, I wish Apple included an equalizer like Jaybird's app. But all-in-all, they are worth $160. That's not really expensive when you look at the competition.

I run with my pair almost daily -- run, not walk. They have never fallen out of my ears. They have never bruised my ears, felt tight, felt loose. In fact I don't feel them at all which is why I enjoy them so much. It's so "freeing" not to get tangled up in wires. A weekly charge is an easy sacrifice.

If they are not for you, I can understand. Not everything is for everyone. I mean there are people allergic to milk and bread and avoid at all costs. But that doesn't equate milk and bread to being horrible, ridiculous products.

 

[bingeciren]

Sounds like a classic case of cognitive dissonance.

1) I think Airpods are stupid.
2) Other people think the Airpods are awesome.
3) I am too stubborn to admit that I am wrong even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
4) Therefore, it must be the others who are wrong. If they like it, it must be because they are too dumb to see “the truth”.

I use my Airpods every day and I love them very much. It’s the only earphones I ever use these days. They are that comfortable and portable.

Go ahead. Tell me how I am wrong to like the Airpods?

And he probably never tried them and does not own one.

I admit they may not fit to everyone’s ears and may not sound as good as my other “serious listening” headphones but they are super convenient, reasonably comfortable, small, lightweight and good enough to deliver 99% of what I expect from them. Compared to the cost of similar BT headphones, they are not outrageously expensive and best of all, they are durable.

 

[The Game 161]

I know Apple don’t market these as water resistant but I have used them when it’s been raining and it’s been fine. Use them daily in the gym with sweat and been fine. Guess it’s nice to know they would be water resistant but not a need

Would probably be tempted to upgrade them if they added a black colour.

 

[imola.zhp]

What I'd really like are some soft silicone tipped AirPods. That hard plastic is just too uncomfortable for me.

Have you tried the Beats X? I had to go Beats X because I knew AirPods would be uncomfortable just as EarPods are (same design, one wireless, one wired). I love the Beats X, but I only wear them for working out.

Why can’t I adjust Siri’s settings so it activates when I say “Hello Siri” when it comes to my HomePod and “Hey Siri” when it comes to my iPhone etc.

Great idea, similar to how you can choose different names for Amazon devices.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

1. Exercise
2. Minor ear canal damage
3. Profit

It's not worth it. I worked at a plant that made the column switch assembly for several models of Ford cars. There was a part of the assembly where a cast part was to be dropped into a jig, and a stud was placed in another jig, and the operator had to press two buttons and the stud was driven into the cast part. The stud held the turn signal stalk. I woman, they were mostly women at that plant, figured out how to drive that stud through the end of her thumb in an effort to get wrokman's comp, and sue the employer. That was my first 'union job'. The union steward was 'owned' by the plant manager, they were dating as I remember it, and as a result the union was worthless. They had quotas on every 'job' there, and I was so bored, I was able to break quota by noon. I often worked two 'jobs' at the plant, one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. They finally put me on a 'job' that was controlled by a large indexed table that drilled holes in both sides of the casting. Someone showed me how to put the casting in the jig that resulted in the drill binding and shattering. Yeah, there was a high work ethic there *COUGH* *COUGH* People that worked that 'job' prior to me would then have to sit and wait until a machinist could come and replace the drill bits because 'it happened again'. I got to the point where, as the drills wore out, I would break the bits to get sharp bits installed, and would do the repair myself, which pissed off the machinist union. I did not make it through their 90 day probation period, and was 'released' 2 days prior. I was a treat to their kingdom. As a result, I am NOT the person to defend union workers in America.

So, I exercise. Burn my ear(s). Profit.

I could just as easily slip and fall, or bump and fall. Or just get a shyster lawyer to sue someone for pocket money. It's a sick world, isn't it...
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As a swimmer I would love an AirPods waterproof so I can use on my workouts. But that to happen. Apple would have to change the current design and make it more like the Bragi models shape that fits inside of your ear and no stem. So that basically means it won't happen.

AND they have to make some way to keep them inside your ears. People could get several free sets a month I'd wager from people who had them fall out and blend into the pool bottom.

 

[runeapple]

I think they said that has been addressed for the HomePod..

Hmm it doesn’t work that well, if I try to talk to the HomePod in my bedroom, I can stand right to it and talk, and for some reason my lounge one always takes priority, but it can never hear the question as it’s too far away - it’s extremly frustrating.