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Apple's AirPods Lineup to Get These Updates in 2024
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Yes, I know.
But the vast(!) majority of AirPods owners do not know about this or have access to it.
So it's effectively impossible even if it isn't literally impossible.
The EU needs to step in and force Apple and its big tech peers to work it out. But until then, we'll all be buying new ones every couple of years.
low latency is a must for all audio creators and many more.
at the moment, i use the one and only low latency wireless headphone from AIAIAI from Denmark (yes tripple AI 😜). They are great, the only downside is you have to use a transmitter box on the mac / ipad / iphone side. an apple solution would be without any box for sure.
bluetooth is not the way to go, its more on the wifi side because of speed, dynamic range, resolution, sound quality. there are wifi standards like „Wisi“ which are more common in speakers and monitors. i dont know if Wisi is only a protocol/software thing or if it needs additional hardware/transmitter/etc
at the moment, i use the one and only low latency wireless headphone from AIAIAI from Denmark (yes tripple AI 😜). They are great, the only downside is you have to use a transmitter box on the mac / ipad / iphone side. an apple solution would be without any box for sure.
bluetooth is not the way to go, its more on the wifi side because of speed, dynamic range, resolution, sound quality. there are wifi standards like „Wisi“ which are more common in speakers and monitors. i dont know if Wisi is only a protocol/software thing or if it needs additional hardware/transmitter/etc
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With the H3 chips not too far off, if I was Apple I'd wait and update the Max then. The H2 chips have been around for two years. Maybe the 2024 Max will just be an interim update like the AirPods Pro 2 with USB C case, which would correspond to current leaks of just USB C and new colors. Who knows? Just a USB C upgrade doesn't make a lot of sense unless they drop the price.
Walmart had them for $350 for a brief period of time. With my credit card cash back and a CB site, I was able to get them for $346 out the door including tax. That was a tough deal to pass up. I disabled some of the sound safety settings, where it limits the loudness of certain sounds, and they sound amazing.
Just a wild guess by me and I don't know how these things work. But maybe there have been no rumors of H2 chip in the airpods max because it has the new unannounced H3 chip
Yeah, the case is a joke for traveling and great for third party companies that make decent cases for the Max. A decent case by Apple for the second generation is a must. We probably won’t get a lighter AirPods Max until the third generation.
I’ve wondered about that too. It would make sense. Apple is a bit weird about updating high cost, more pro devices like the Mac Pro and Mac Studio. I think it’s because they don’t have a wide audience.
i prefer the cheap wired ear pods. the usbc version is cheap and does everything i need. i use them on my mac, iphone, ipad. i tag mine with my name and they get returned no issues. i find they fit better than airpods. might consider the max for office use. let's see if the new ones are any good
Waiting to see the new AirPods 4. Wonder what the price will be.
I’ve had my APM since fall 2021 and am an Apple Music user. The music quality is great.
I don’t fully understand audio codecs and lossless audio, but to my understanding Apple Music offers Lossless music, but APM doesn’t have the tech capabilities to use it. However, the music still sound amazing.
I also use the Lightning-3.5mm cable Apple sells to wire into my work PC and listen in the Apple Music Windows app. Sounds great there too.
With your lighting to 3.5mm you more or less have lossless audio. The only Apple device that can currently output audio in a wireless lossless format is the Vision Pro. Also, the Max can play Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos from Apple Music, which I really like.
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Yes. Apple Music sounds really good on the Max. See my other post that goes into more detail.
Good to know, I have always thought my wired connection sounded a bit cleaner but wasn’t sure if it was placebo.
For some reason I haven’t liked Dolby Atmos too much, though I think it’s just because the songs I’ve tried, I already listened to the standard mix and it sounded abnormal. Any album recommendations that sound great with it?
I'm inspired to buy a pair of wired EarPods for important and/or lengthy calls without concerns about AirPods misbehaving. I have 3.5mm adapters for Lightning and USB-C, so 3.5mm EarPods would be compatible with my work laptop, current iPhone, iPad, and future iPhone instead of buying multiple pairs.
Yes I noticed that. I’m guessing the article got the details muddled and the higher end one will have silicone tips so it can do ANC. If Apple can do ANC without silicone tips I’ll be very interested to see it! 😅
Apple plans to upgrade its entire AirPods lineup this year in one form or another, with a combination of new model launches and upcoming software updates for existing devices.
Whether you're holding out for the next generation of AirPods or AirPods Max, or just want to know what new features are on the way for your current earbuds, keep reading for the full lowdown on what to expect.
AirPods 3
Fourth-generation AirPods are expected to arrive in late 2024, with Apple planning to release two versions at different price points. Both models will feature a redesigned look, including a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port, shorter stems similar to the AirPods Pro, along with an updated fit and enhanced audio quality.
The higher-end version is expected to include Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), making ANC available at a lower price point for the first time. They are also likely to have a speaker in the charging case that can play a sound for Find My location tracking. This model will be more affordable than the AirPods Pro ($249) but will not include features like silicone ear tips.
One of the key aspects the next-generation AirPods are likely to bring over from the second-generation AirPods Pro is the H2 chip. Both the second- and third-generation AirPods currently feature the H1 chip. The H2 chip is accompanied by Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, which offers faster and more reliable connectivity with Bluetooth accessories, as well as improved power efficiency, which can contribute to longer battery life.
Apple says the H2 chip provides an "exceptional acoustic experience" when paired with a new low-distortion audio driver and custom amplifier in the AirPods Pro. The AirPods Pro offer richer bass and clearer sound across a wider range of frequencies partly due to the computational audio improvements facilitated by the H2 chip, so similar enhancements seem highly likely to come to the fourth-generation AirPods.
The launch of the two AirPods 4 models is expected in September or October 2024, which will also see the current AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 discontinued.
AirPods Pro
Apple's upcoming iOS 18 update introduces several enhancements for the current second-generation AirPods Pro, leveraging machine learning and AI. New head gestures will allow users to control AirPods Pro hands-free—nodding to answer a call or shaking their head to decline. Siri Interactions will also enable hands-free management of calls, messages, and notifications without speaking.
iOS 18 adds Voice Isolation to AirPods Pro, improving call clarity by filtering out background noise and focusing on your voice, similar to an existing iPhone feature. Additionally, the Adaptive Audio feature, which adjusts sound and noise cancellation based on your environment, will now offer a customizable setting for finer control.
According to Apple, the AirPods Pro provide the best wireless audio latency ever for mobile gaming, thanks to improvements coming in iOS 18. Improved latency means that you'll see little to no delay when taking an action in the game and hearing the resulting sound, making for a more responsive experience.
Lastly, iOS 18 will introduce a "hearing aid mode" to AirPods Pro. Although they already have a Conversation Boost feature, this update further positions them as a potential hearing aid device.
Apple is expected introduce a redesigned third-generation AirPods Pro in 2025, with refined design and better audio quality, along with a faster processor.
AirPods Max
AirPods Max are the oldest current-generation AirPods product still in Apple's lineup. It's been over three years since Apple launched AirPods Max in December 2020, and only recently have we begun hearing rumors about Apple's plans for a new-generation model that is coming later this year.
Apple will replace the Lightning port found on the current-generation AirPods Max for a USB-C port. This will ensure the headphones comply with European regulations, and will bring consistency across the company's AirPods lineup. This of course means AirPods Max 2 will come supplied with a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, rather than a Lightning to USB-C cable. Apple will also need to offer a USB-C to 3.5mm audio accessory cable so that users can plug AirPods Max 2 into 3.5mm audio ports.
The Bluetooth 5.3 specification can already be found in the AirPods Pro 2, the iPhone 15 lineup, and the latest Apple Watch models. It is also supported by all Mac models released in 2023. Therefore it's almost inevitable that the second-generation AirPods Max will similarly feature the latest Bluetooth standard.
Apple is expected to offer second-generation AirPods Max in fresh colors, although what those colors might be remains unknown. AirPods Max are currently available in Space Gray, Silver, Green, Sky Blue, and Pink, although interchangeable ear cushions allow for many color combinations.
While there are no rumors that claim AirPods Max 2 will feature the H2 chip, it would seem reasonable to expect them to do so. Apple's custom silicon chip is designed specifically for earbuds and headphones, and enables improved computational audio to enhance sound quality on the current-generation AirPods Pro and improves battery life with better energy efficiency. Without the H2 chip, AirPods Max would also miss out on Adaptive Audio features including Personalized Volume and Conversation Awareness.
Coming to All AirPods Models
Personalized Spatial Audio is a feature that already exists for movies, TV shows, and music. It uses the TrueDepth camera on your iPhone to scan your face and ears, developing a personal profile that customizes Spatial Audio just for you.
With iOS 18, Apple is expanding Personalized Spatial Audio to gaming, with the aim of delivering more immersive sound for gameplay. Personalized Spatial Audio for Gaming will support AirPods 3 and 4, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max.
Article Link: Apple's AirPods Lineup to Get These Updates in 2024
I will be horrified if Apple goes another year without expanding use of micro-power 5Ghz Wi-Fi for hi-res lossless audio. There’s literally nothing new in this article.
What should be happening is this:
1) Apple enables up to 24-bit 192kHz wireless lossless audio in the Air Pods Pro 3 and Air Pods Max 2 via micro-power 5Ghz Wi-Fi. Matching transmission capability is added to the iPhone 16 range and some other recent devices. Devices can also access Apple Music directly and be controlled by voice without dependency on a typical host device.
2) Air Pods Max 2 get a new custom planar magnetic driver and get certified Hi-Res and Hi-Res Wireless by the JAA. They also get some kind of revolutionary new cooling and ventilated ear cups where all day wearing is comfortable and dry. The addition of both unbalanced and balanced wired cables for hi-res listening on compatible devices without the new Wi-Fi audio.
Now that’s what you call something to get excited about.
I do think head tracking is currently a stupid gimmick but I can find Dolby Atmos mixes can breathe new life into your favourite songs. Although they’re best heard on a real multispeaker surround system. On some tracks it adds detail and depth. Madonna’s Immaculate Collection is a great example of it being done right.
Apple need to introduce an AirPod for the ears that AirPods don’t fit. There are lots of them. A small solution.
Honestly the biggest things I want different are USB C, which for the longest time I didn't care about. Now that most of our house is on USB C, now it's a pain to charge the headphones with the last lightning cable laying around somewhere. lol.
Secondly, the case. It is just not a good design. Its in the way some times of the charge port if you dont put it in perfectly. Also it just don't do a good job protecting the AirPods.
Beside those, I love my Airpod Max's.
Secondly, the case. It is just not a good design. Its in the way some times of the charge port if you dont put it in perfectly. Also it just don't do a good job protecting the AirPods.
Beside those, I love my Airpod Max's.
Agree on all of the above. I’d also like longer battery life. I hear the mesh head pad stretches and warps over time. Maybe something different there.