Gurman: Apple Not Working on Second-Generation AirPods Max, But Has Considered New Colors

[MacRumors]

In a report focused on upcoming third-generation AirPods and second-generation AirPods Pro, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman added that Apple has yet to start working on second-generation AirPods Max, although he said the company has discussed launching additional color variations for the over-ear headphones in the future.

The relevant bit from the report:

The last AirPods-related hardware introduction from Apple was the over-ear AirPods Max headphones in December. That $549 pair earned criticism for bugs and its high price but praise for its materials and sound. Apple only recently caught up with demand for the product, and it is not currently working on a second generation of the AirPods Max, though it has discussed launching additional color variations in the future.

AirPods Max are currently available in Space Gray, Silver, Green, Sky Blue, and Pink, although interchangeable ear cushions allow for many color combinations. Prior to the AirPods Max being announced, Gurman said Apple also planned to make the headband interchangeable, but the company ultimately decided against that idea.

Launched in December 2020 for $549, the AirPods Max are high-end wireless over-ear headphones, with key features including premium sound quality with Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation with Transparency mode, an Apple-designed H1 chip in each ear cup for seamless integration with Apple devices, and more.

Article Link: Gurman: Apple Not Working on Second-Generation AirPods Max, But Has Considered New Colors

 

[diego.caraballo]

Airpods Max are the new HomePod

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

“If in doubt, just make new colours. It’s worked for the Apple Watch Sport band y’all!”

 

[Kylo83]

Apple need to learn to stop charging crazy prices when the general public wouldn’t pay that, half a grand for headphones lol

 

[samlikesmac]

No second gen in development because Apple can’t figure out how to stream lossless audio to wireless headphone lol. Only kidding.

 

[otternonsense]

Airpods Max are the new HomePod

Called it a few months ago

That's what you get when you design products in a vacuum chamber and take 4 years to release a one-off expensive something that doesn't even have an ON/OFF button.

PS. And it's a shame, because the AirPods line overall has massive appeal and potential. Is there any more proof to Apple's aimlessness in product direction?

 

[Kylo83]

I hate to say this but apple isn’t the brand we all once knew and loved, they keep making products that don’t do well, and upgrades are never that great, I think they focus more on other stuff now days than making great products

 

[ilikewhey]

meanwhile my akg from 10 years ago can do lossless 😂

 

[Kardinal1911]

I hate to say this but apple isn’t the brand we all once knew and loved, they keep making products that don’t do well, and upgrades are never that great, I think they focus more on other stuff now days than making great products

AirPods Max Are phenomenal headphones… Airtag phenomenal product, Apple still makes amazing products and AirPods Max Will do well

 

[kcslc]

Maybe apple should consider a new price?

 

[fromsixtozero]

It´s crazy..I bought sony 1000XM3 for 200 bucks and these are almost 3x times as expensive with ugly case, heavy, can´t be turned off, 10 hour shorter battery life...do people really buy these?

 

[Schnegg]

They at least have to change the case.

 

[scottrngr]

Maybe Apple could work on the price instead.

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

I hate to say this but apple isn’t the brand we all once knew and loved, they keep making products that don’t do well, and upgrades are never that great, I think they focus more on other stuff now days than making great products

I've heard people say pretty much the same thing several times over and the only time I think it was ever true was in the early days after Jobs was kicked out and they had a zillion products in their lineup, which was about 30 years ago. Apple still releases groundbreaking new devices time and time again. Maybe these AirPods Max are a flop, maybe the people buying them aren't the same target market as yourself. They've released flops before e.g. the iPod Hi-Fi. But a lot of what they learned from that went into the HomePod, which a lot of people again thought of as a flop but a lot of what they learned from that went into the HomePod Minis which look like they've been a huge success. Apple releases groundbreaking products but that doesn't mean that every product Apple releases has to be groundbreaking.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

v2 should have, at minimum, a U1 chip, support for high definition audio over wireless, a better case, and a power button. Remember, Apple uses a W1 chip, not generic boring old Bluetooth. They made such a big stink about it, maybe they should do something with it besides what boring old bluetooth can do.

 

[scottrngr]

I hate to say this but apple isn’t the brand we all once knew and loved, they keep making products that don’t do well, and upgrades are never that great, I think they focus more on other stuff now days than making great products

If only Jobs were still around to say no.

 

[Kylo83]

I've heard people say pretty much the same thing several times over and the only time I think it was ever true was in the early days after Jobs was kicked out and they had a zillion products in their lineup, which was about 30 years ago. Apple still releases groundbreaking new devices time and time again. Maybe these AirPods Max are a flop, maybe the people buying them aren't the same target market as yourself. They've released flops before e.g. the iPod Hi-Fi. But a lot of what they learned from that went into the HomePod, which a lot of people again thought of as a flop but a lot of what they learned from that went into the HomePod Minis which look like they've been a huge success. Apple releases groundbreaking products but that doesn't mean that every product Apple releases has to be groundbreaking.

I disagree I used to get so excited at every new product launch but the last few years even software as well hasn’t been exciting I think they have gone away from products and more other stuff

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

We need a shade of dark colors please.

 

[fwmireault]

I hate to say this but apple isn’t the brand we all once knew and loved, they keep making products that don’t do well, and upgrades are never that great, I think they focus more on other stuff now days than making great products

I think that Apple just don’t update his audio lineup as often as others devices. The second gen AirPods was 99% the same than the original one, and we are waiting for the real gen 2 of everything. Gen 2 HomePod, AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max. I think that there is room for improvement regarding APM, and I’m sure that a gen 2 will come in a few years. That said, AirPods Max is a very niche market, and Apple doesn’t have any incentive to invest full R&D in these headphones, as I think it will never be as popular as regular AirPods

 

[johnediii]

I've heard people say pretty much the same thing several times over and the only time I think it was ever true was in the early days after Jobs was kicked out and they had a zillion products in their lineup, which was about 30 years ago. Apple still releases groundbreaking new devices time and time again. Maybe these AirPods Max are a flop, maybe the people buying them aren't the same target market as yourself. They've released flops before e.g. the iPod Hi-Fi. But a lot of what they learned from that went into the HomePod, which a lot of people again thought of as a flop but a lot of what they learned from that went into the HomePod Minis which look like they've been a huge success. Apple releases groundbreaking products but that doesn't mean that every product Apple releases has to be groundbreaking.

HomePod minis as a huge success because of price point. The AirPods Max are about $100 more than all competing products on the market. This is 100% a price point situation. I would've bought a set at $350 which is where most of the quality over-the-ear BT headphones are. $550 just priced them right out of the market. I prefer Over-the-ear because ear buds tend to not fit well.

 

[Spock]

I hate to say this but apple isn’t the brand we all once knew and loved, they keep making products that don’t do well, and upgrades are never that great, I think they focus more on other stuff now days than making great products

I feel like they are slipping back to the 1990’s Apple before Steve came back. They are trying so many things instead of focusing on what they do best. I think they need to focus on fewer product lines and play clean up.

“Never half-ass two things, whole-ass one thing” -Ron Swanson.

 

[Reason077]

That's what you get when you design products in a vacuum chamber and take 4 years to release a one-off expensive something that doesn't even have an ON/OFF button.

You know what? I have the Sony WH-1000XM4, and while they're certainly decent headphones, the buttons are one of the most annoying parts of it. Especially the ON/OFF button. They take ages to turn on and off, and make annoying beeping and "bluetooth connected!" talking noises while doing so. In terms of usability, having them turn on automatically when you pick them up and put them on is a big improvement.

I plan to buy the AirPods Max soon. The only thing putting me off a bit is the price.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

They've released flops before e.g. the iPod Hi-Fi. But a lot of what they learned from that went into the HomePod, which a lot of people again thought of as a flop but a lot of what they learned from that went into the HomePod Minis which look like they've been a huge success.

The Hi-Fi was a flop because it was a great speaker that had terrible input options, lacked features, and was overpriced compared to the competition. Not so shockingly, it looks like Apple didn't learn their lesson and released yet another overpriced speaker that lacked input options and features compared to the competition.

Once Apple dropped the price by $250, people "tried" the homepod mini. I wouldn't say that it's a success as much as it's close enough to impulse purchase price to have a lot of sales volume. I own one. I might get a 2nd for my basement/office, but definitely not until Spotify comes to it, and even then maybe not since I already have a rather higher end stereo.

 

[boswald]

Airpods Max are the new HomePod

Yeah, I agree. I don’t expect them to last much longer.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

You know what? I have the Sony WH-1000XM4, and while they're certainly decent headphones, the buttons are one of the most annoying parts of it. Especially the ON/OFF button. They take ages to turn on and off, and make annoying beeping and "bluetooth connected!" talking noises while doing so. In terms of usability, having them turn on automatically when you pick them up and put them on is a big improvement.

I plan to buy the AirPods Max soon. The only thing putting me off a bit is the price.

Look at the Surface Headphones. They turn on and off immediately, do the whole multiple device connection better than any other headphones that I've used, including Airpods, and have a slick volume wheel like the original iPod.