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Gurman: Higher-End AirPods to Launch in 2019, New HomePod and Over-Ear Headphones Also Likely Next Year
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Your only comparison are two the two LATEST products that were released together? LOL
How about the iphone SE, which has the internals of what, a 6s? Or a 2012 mac mini still for sale?
Go on, I await your answer.
would be nice if the "non-high end" ones didn't die after a year. charge them everyday or the battery just fails.
I have 2 rebuttals to make with Gurman's article today. I still say he's a hack and I still say he reads this site and concensus of conversation to come up with his a large percent of his articles ... I've highlighted a glaring and almost obvious example over the winter already.
1. Heart Rate Sensors or Biometric sensors
There are 3 market players with Heart Rate sensors in the ears, the leader which can accurately and effectively rate VO2 Max is Jabra and they have 2 products that can do this. One of them is a true wireless version and it ads builk ... and already cannot compete with battery life with the AirPods.
IMG Source: Macrumors.com
Heart rate sensor in a true wireless headphone will reduce battery life when in use - I know this as my Elite Sports kick in with my S3 Nike+ at the gym when I launch WatchOS Strong app to log my workouts. sure this may add accuracy, yet the added bulk and reduced battery capacity doesn't add a plus to outweigh losses of the product especially an industry leading characteristic.
No, not in the Apple brand, yet we may see it in Beats' PowerBeats product when it evolves later this year. This would align better with its target demographics (teens and professionals signed with marketing). Those into or already heavily physically active and in shape may not see the benefit of an Apple Watch yet most likely will with PowerBeats with VO2 Max sensor embedded.
- allows for accurate rating for those that don't own Apple Watch
- allows for those feeling like brand sheep to avoid that (many still don't know Beats is owned by Apple)
- the product design already allows for a larger capacity battery, yet with smaller chips doesn't have to increase in size.
- demographic target market most likely carries their iPhone into the gym with them yet allows Android users a decent alternative.
The other issue is the high-end Over The Ear stereo headphones. Apple is going to have an issue with consumer or 'pro-sumer' (trust they'll use this again in interviews about the product trust me on this) product pricing.
Beats Studio 3 is a great piece of kit. It already features W1 chip, incredible battery life with ANC-OFF and decent with ANC-On. This product is already #399CAN and has 2 major design flaws I've noticed in my short time owning a pair: doesn't work below -20 celcius (forget dual mode music and earmuffs lol) yet in all seriousness is they do NOT work without power in the battery. you cannot use them as wired headphones without battery power, not like the Solo 3's can.
The price point is very close to higher quality Sony, Bose, and B&O headphones. Trust me I've already suffered the B&O Beoplay E8's ... I sincerely hope Apple crushes them in this market segment as well. Yet the price of an Apple stereo studio headphones will be well over $499 or Apple needs to kill the Studio's. Before these get released though I think Apple could stand to increase their expertise in audio and quality audio with the next product lineups:
Sound bar, sub-woofer, and AirPods 2nd generation. with a Soundbar and sub-woofer Apple will be getting into the home theatre arena and can really compete with many in the home wireless speaker and home theatre segment. Apple could bundle AppleTV and some services for 3mths free to sweeten the deal ... yet place really good hooks into us fish to get us addicted.
So ..
HomePod gets updates with Siri along the way for the next 15mths no new versions, no need.
AirPods get an update (sweat/dust/rain resistance, not proof, and slight battery improvements), and in colours!!
^ I swear Apple missed a HUGE opportunity with FIFA World Cup with country flag paint on AirPods
Subwoofer and Soundbar to launch (announced) same time and ship for Christmas 2018, in stores January 2019!
Beats PowerBeats 4 gets hear-rate sensor, slightly newer design and a Siri workout coach!!
^ Apple Watch Nike+ also gets an enhanced workout coach pushing you along with slightly muted audible announcements. She's also live so adjustments can be made at a request of your voice.
Beats Studio 3 takes a significant Black Friday and Christmas holiday discount, drops to $229US permanently, Solo 3's drop to $149US as well. Studio's don't move onto live in a 4th iteration.
Apple Branded quality over the ear headphones debut at $599 or $649US:
- best in class audio quality and audible range in clarity ... huge internet ovation reviews
- best in class build quality (long term reviews, rough use reviews etc)
- best in class comfort ... they'll be something VERY unique about the design that over 12hrs+ you'll barely feel them.
- invisible to FaceID to lessen distractions lol.
- some sort of pass-through design and tech to coinside with my other takes on future Soundbar, homepod and sub-woofer.
who knows maybe a huge audio update for range of profiles coming to Apple TV which will route the sound to AirPods and Apple "Heads" let's call these studio headphones. Maybe even 2 will debut ... 1 at the VERY high end.
Maybe we'll see Apple push Logic into huge upgrade mode with features that take full advantage to show these off? hmm.
PS my take ....
1. Heart Rate Sensors or Biometric sensors
There are 3 market players with Heart Rate sensors in the ears, the leader which can accurately and effectively rate VO2 Max is Jabra and they have 2 products that can do this. One of them is a true wireless version and it ads builk ... and already cannot compete with battery life with the AirPods.
IMG Source: Macrumors.com
Heart rate sensor in a true wireless headphone will reduce battery life when in use - I know this as my Elite Sports kick in with my S3 Nike+ at the gym when I launch WatchOS Strong app to log my workouts. sure this may add accuracy, yet the added bulk and reduced battery capacity doesn't add a plus to outweigh losses of the product especially an industry leading characteristic.
No, not in the Apple brand, yet we may see it in Beats' PowerBeats product when it evolves later this year. This would align better with its target demographics (teens and professionals signed with marketing). Those into or already heavily physically active and in shape may not see the benefit of an Apple Watch yet most likely will with PowerBeats with VO2 Max sensor embedded.
- allows for accurate rating for those that don't own Apple Watch
- allows for those feeling like brand sheep to avoid that (many still don't know Beats is owned by Apple)
- the product design already allows for a larger capacity battery, yet with smaller chips doesn't have to increase in size.
- demographic target market most likely carries their iPhone into the gym with them yet allows Android users a decent alternative.
The other issue is the high-end Over The Ear stereo headphones. Apple is going to have an issue with consumer or 'pro-sumer' (trust they'll use this again in interviews about the product trust me on this) product pricing.
Beats Studio 3 is a great piece of kit. It already features W1 chip, incredible battery life with ANC-OFF and decent with ANC-On. This product is already #399CAN and has 2 major design flaws I've noticed in my short time owning a pair: doesn't work below -20 celcius (forget dual mode music and earmuffs lol) yet in all seriousness is they do NOT work without power in the battery. you cannot use them as wired headphones without battery power, not like the Solo 3's can.
The price point is very close to higher quality Sony, Bose, and B&O headphones. Trust me I've already suffered the B&O Beoplay E8's ... I sincerely hope Apple crushes them in this market segment as well. Yet the price of an Apple stereo studio headphones will be well over $499 or Apple needs to kill the Studio's. Before these get released though I think Apple could stand to increase their expertise in audio and quality audio with the next product lineups:
Sound bar, sub-woofer, and AirPods 2nd generation. with a Soundbar and sub-woofer Apple will be getting into the home theatre arena and can really compete with many in the home wireless speaker and home theatre segment. Apple could bundle AppleTV and some services for 3mths free to sweeten the deal ... yet place really good hooks into us fish to get us addicted.
So ..
HomePod gets updates with Siri along the way for the next 15mths no new versions, no need.
AirPods get an update (sweat/dust/rain resistance, not proof, and slight battery improvements), and in colours!!
^ I swear Apple missed a HUGE opportunity with FIFA World Cup with country flag paint on AirPods
Subwoofer and Soundbar to launch (announced) same time and ship for Christmas 2018, in stores January 2019!
Beats PowerBeats 4 gets hear-rate sensor, slightly newer design and a Siri workout coach!!
^ Apple Watch Nike+ also gets an enhanced workout coach pushing you along with slightly muted audible announcements. She's also live so adjustments can be made at a request of your voice.
Beats Studio 3 takes a significant Black Friday and Christmas holiday discount, drops to $229US permanently, Solo 3's drop to $149US as well. Studio's don't move onto live in a 4th iteration.
Apple Branded quality over the ear headphones debut at $599 or $649US:
- best in class audio quality and audible range in clarity ... huge internet ovation reviews
- best in class build quality (long term reviews, rough use reviews etc)
- best in class comfort ... they'll be something VERY unique about the design that over 12hrs+ you'll barely feel them.
- invisible to FaceID to lessen distractions lol.
- some sort of pass-through design and tech to coinside with my other takes on future Soundbar, homepod and sub-woofer.
who knows maybe a huge audio update for range of profiles coming to Apple TV which will route the sound to AirPods and Apple "Heads" let's call these studio headphones. Maybe even 2 will debut ... 1 at the VERY high end.
Maybe we'll see Apple push Logic into huge upgrade mode with features that take full advantage to show these off? hmm.
PS my take ....
If you are buying AirPods only for music, ten you should not. They are good for comfortable wear, taking calls etc. For music over the ear with NC is the best.
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As with new Apple, I don't believe that we will get high quality.
[doublepost=1529984336][/doublepost]
As with new Apple, I don't believe that we will get high quality.
When it comes to listening to music using headphones ... for me ... since 1983 no Over-The-Ear or On-The-Ear headphones felt comfortable for my 6cm (height from top to earlob) ears. In ear always was better over a few hours.
Studio 3's come close but then my bald head with that pressure from the loop at the top of the headphones or the pressure over my ears takes the abuse.
Again everything is relative to the end user.
[doublepost=1529987799][/doublepost]
LMAO .. dear god!
As someone old enough to remember a day in early 1980s where people actually used these as functional use while sporting a Sony Walkman, or to have a late night memory jump into time warp allowing me to remember some parts of life I wish I hadn't.
Either way ... when you speak of 'sweat band' are you talking that of Xanadu ..
Olivia Newton-John
or are you talking ... the god forsaken ..
all joking aside my friend ... there is a thread about using the AirPods and 3M tape which may serve you well??
I didn't get the current AirPods because I felt like I didn't need them and they were backordered for a long time. By the time they started becoming more readily available I thought a revision would be coming out sooner or later. Everything that I've heard about them has been overwhelmingly positive.
Hopefully the 2nd gen has longer battery life. That was another reason why I didn't pull the trigger. I didn't want to have to remember to charge yet another device. I guess once I upgrade to a new iPhone later this year with wireless charging I can just put everything on a charging pad.
Hopefully the 2nd gen has longer battery life. That was another reason why I didn't pull the trigger. I didn't want to have to remember to charge yet another device. I guess once I upgrade to a new iPhone later this year with wireless charging I can just put everything on a charging pad.
I think sales would be the same even if it wasn't a 1st gen device. The market for wireless speakers is crowded and matters are made worse by limiting it to Apple Music. This isn't such a big problem for the Apple Watch since it's a more of a fitness device. Spotify is very popular and not supporting is a deal breaker for many people.
The price is also a problem when Amazon's and Google's products are much cheaper even though the sound quality is inferior. Even the Sonos One is cheaper and supports lots of services. To be honest I don't think Apple should've bothered entering this market. They were simply too late and people have gotten used to lower prices. They will either have to drop the price a bit which is unlikely or release a 2nd gen product with superior sound quality worth paying $349 for.
As for Apple Watch, they have to update this every year like every other SoC device. The first gen was pretty slow similar to how the first iPhone had Edge and the 2nd came with 3G. Customers should know that the watch is a disposable device unlike a normal watch meant to last a lifetime. It's similar to the iPad in that as long as it can run the latest OS and apps you need there's no real reason to get a new one.
LOL this is so you need a new Apple product every year or so
This is not incremental updates it's just give some 1st Gen attempt then we reel in the same crowd for a 2nd gen, rinse and repeat
A company that wants to sell products - oh no!
Seriously - most companies try and grow their sales (i.e. sell more products than last year). At the same time, I'm sure they don't expect 100% of the customers who bought a 1st gen to buy a 2nd gen immediately - that's just not realistic. Not to mention that competitors are moving in on this space. Nobody can afford to stand still.
Honestly, sweat/rain proof should have been Gen1. I've been holding out too long as it is and am about to look elsewhere.
When using them for media consumption, agree. If you use them for phone calls and have long calls it becomes an issue.
I think it's more that the homepod is a fairly restricted device. Your target market is effectively iPhone users using Apple Music, and frankly - that just might be Apple's real objective all along. To further lock its existing iPhone users into the Apple ecosystem.
So it's willing to sacrifice some degree go homepod sales for the real prize - continued iPhone sales from this target demographic of users.
Yeah, I know Mark and Seth from a brief stint I did at 9to5 back in college. He's the real deal and really protective of his sources and stories. One time I went to go in and look at one of his stories before it was posted—I think it was one about a new iPhone capacity that was about to be announced—and he banned me from WordPress, lol. Though there is some debate today whether some of his sources dried up around the time he graduated and went to Bloomberg.
LMAO .. dear god!
As someone old enough to remember a day in early 1980s where people actually used these as functional use while sporting a Sony Walkman, or to have a late night memory jump into time warp allowing me to remember some parts of life I wish I hadn't.
Either way ... when you speak of 'sweat band' are you talking that of Xanadu ..
Olivia Newton-John
or are you talking ... the god forsaken ..
all joking aside my friend ... there is a thread about using the AirPods and 3M tape which may serve you well??
Hah, well, it's more function over form. It's awful if I don't wear it sometimes. It's just a regular gray band. Nothing stylish. Don't need it on my arms. My eyes sting and burn if I don't wear one and if I have glasses on they get so bad I can't see.
I was a little surprised about that comment in the article. I would love to see the data about how many AirPods users also wear an Apple Watch (I use both devices). To anyone already wearing an Apple Watch, putting a heart rate monitor in the AirPods would be redundant. Plus, you have to have something to listen to on the AirPods and with the AW3 (and beyond) having cellular capability, I would suspect a lot of people using AirPods for jogging or other outdoor exercise are probably listening to music via their watch instead of the phone anyway.
Regardless of what they end up doing with a heart rate sensor in a future version of AirPods, I will probably be keeping up with the latest version. I think Apple is really on to something by enabling people to leave their phones home on occasion and just using their Apple Watch & AirPods. Now we just need the Apple AR glasses
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I had never thought of that but you make an interesting point. With so many other home music streaming options (Amazon, Google, etc.) it could make sense for Apple to create a product for "defensive" purposes such as retaining Apple Music subscribers who might be tempted to abandon Apple Music (the first step toward existing the Apple Ecosystem) in favor of an Amazon Echo or some other device. I really like the sound quality from my HomePod but I am REALLY hoping Apple continues to work on making Siri more "intelligent".
Last week I was driving and I asked Siri "What is the weather forecast in Indianapolis tomorrow?" Siri (through CarPlay) immediately gave me the weather forecast in Indianapolis for the current day, not the following day as I had asked. So I tried again by asking Siri "What is tomorrow's weather forecast in Indianapolis" to which she responded by giving me the following day's forecast for the city I was currently driving through. It is like she was only listening to half of my question, guessing what I wanted to know, then answering the question she thought I was going to ask.
I guess you missed the other two products I posted....
If the products you listed sold in great enough quantities Apple would be releasing them as often as they do phones. It is what it is.
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In their current version they are way more sweat/water resistant than stated. A co-worker of mine had hers go through the washing machine on accident and they still work just fine. I workout/run in mine all the time, sweat has never been an issue.
You mentioned outdated technology in your initial post. I listed things that are very much not outdated. I then explained why in my opinion you arent seeing new mac minis or a new SE yet. This isn't that complicated.
Maybe I should of been a little more specific
and I think Abazigal comment is more on track.I think Apples sales and release strategy is far more clever, complex and not easy to deduce. How they link sales in one area to another or even hold back a feature to next release is only a guess but make no mistake they will know exactly how many Gen 1 customers are likely to buy Gen 2 Airpods just by adding a colour option let alone other choices or supposedly improvements that may of been possible in the first instance
They know how to play on the faithful and coerce the fence sitters etc else they would not be as successful as they are
It would be a gross simplification if we just thought these Gens 2 are just continuous product improvements
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