iOS 13.2 Beta Includes Icon Depicting New AirPods Design

[Jim Lahey]

I might wait and see how these look, sound and feel before getting all animated about it

In principle I quite like the idea, since I find the current AirPods virtually unusable when walking outside into a headwind. I have to practically double the volume in those circumstances, and then halve it again when turning a corner or back into a tailwind. I love my AirPods but they’re really not very well suited to outdoor activities in noisy urban environments or windy conditions. Hopefully any active noise cancellation would include adjustable filtering of traffic noise for safety considerations.

Very much looking forward to seeing how these turn out.

 

[alexhardaker]

I wonder if the design of these mean you don’t have to clean them as often

 

[TracesOfArsenic]

I love the instant hate and fear for this rumour. As someone who hasn't been able to use AirPods because of the hard mold, I welcome this potential change.

 

[Morgenland]

I noticed pedestrians on their way to work in Soho (London) and elsewhere last week.

Almost 80% wore headphones, of which only about 20% were Apple/AirPods. The size doesn't seem to matter, people just don't want to hear anything about the environment anymore. So I think Apple is filling a gap in the market with the new AirPod. If they work well, they'll win. Because people don't care much about the design in detail, otherwise they wouldn't be putting huge devices over their heads for soundtracking.

 

[kissmo]

I am seriously interested in this design. They seem less like Q-tips because they are way shorter. The rubber does bother me though....
I hope they find a way to be able to elect between using rubber or not.
Since my first gen of airpods cannot hold a charge, I will be very interested in these ones.

Looking forward to the announcement and the release.

 

[rweiser]

The big question is: will they be "AirPods Pro" or "AirPod Pros"?

Seriously, though - my AirPods are great, but the lack of noise isolation and the (somewhat related) sound quality are the two things making me consider getting the Sonys (whose name is too long to remember and not worth looking up). Would love it if these come out - and are good - before I cave and buy the Sony.

 

[roblognick]

I’d quite like these to be labelled as something like AirPod Sport or something. These need water resistance, not just sweat resistance. And the rubber cap will help keep them in my ears because regular AirPods didn’t feel secure and would fall out if even slightly nudged. Plus not being able to block out all the noise at the gym was absolutely horrible. Can’t wait for these. Instant buy! Glad I held off from buying Powerbeats Pro.

 

[iMatt.]

Anyone remember these? They were awesome.

 

[recoil80]

In ear AirPods would be great, but I hope they'll offer them as an option as many people love current form factor.
I'd probably buy the in ear as they provide better sound isolation, during my commute I sometimes turn them off as I don't want to crank up the volume in order to barely hear something

 

[mike...]

No no no no no no no. Literally the best thing about Apple headphones to me are that they don’t require you to suction them into your brain. I just can’t use them. Truly hope this isn’t a “new design” and instead just an option.

Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes. This is the worst thing about them, they won't stay in my ears. I'm glad Apple are introducing this design, hopefully they supply several sizes of the rubber tip so you can get a perfect fit.

 

[Jonathantuba]

Just what I want, AirPods with noise cancelling!

For those that don’t like, then don’t buy. Stay with the v1 or v2

 

[darkcompass]

Airpods hurt my ears.

This functionality on selected beats headphones? Which ones pray tell.

 

[BlowAway]

The airpords 2 or 3 didn't have any sort of audio improvement.

 

[jonnysods]

This is a good idea for Apple, there are many who have opted out of getting AirPods because of the fit in their ears. These have to be the hottest selling product they have, its a great way to pick up more sales.

 

[Anuba]

Seriously, why do people assume a new model with ANC will mean they immediately discontinue the current style models? I can almost guarantee they will sell these at a higher price, and either keep the current airpods around as-is or even lower the price on them a little.

Yeah, I’m leaning towards these being an “AirPods Pro“ premium model rather than an AirPods 2 replacement. They’re looking for an excuse to charge $299 for AirPods and that excuse will be 1) ANC; 2) larger design meaning a) more bass, and b) longer battery life; 3) wireless charging case as standard; 4) maybe, MAYBE color options.

I can see how people might feel that rubber tips would be un-Apple (their wired in-ear model ME186ZM was so rare few people know it ever existed), but in order for ANC to work there has to be that seal.

 

[bigjnyc]

I just got my 2nd gen AirPods what the f Apple!

it was widely reported that those were regarded as version 1.5 while Apple prepares a new design..... Average consumers miss this stuff, but your on a macrumors forum you should know better.

 

[Donka]

Yeah, I’m leaning towards these being an “AirPods Pro“ premium model rather than an AirPods 2 replacement. They’re looking for an excuse to charge $299 for AirPods and that excuse will be 1) ANC; 2) larger design meaning a) more bass, and b) longer battery life; 3) wireless charging case as standard; 4) maybe, MAYBE color options.

I can see how people might feel that rubber tips would be un-Apple (their wired in-ear model ME186ZM was so rare few people know it ever existed), but in order for ANC to work there has to be that seal.

My fear is Apple put a stupid price on them. I can swallow a £20 premium for ANC but if they ramp it up big time then i won't be buying out of principle! I still love the reaction then they announced the pricing of the stand of the new Mac monitor they released - the sound of silence told them they had gone too far!

 

[bigjnyc]

Everyone needs to chill, it ain’t even out yet and you haven’t even tried them either, smh

You must be new around here.... This happens with every rumor, announcement or leak.

 

[bigjnyc]

Pretty sloppy product leak. Presumably someone in the space ship building gets their ass kicked for this?

Or...... A well placed product leak right as Microsoft announces their new earbuds? someone in the space ship gets a nice pat in the back for this.

 

[cmaier]

Airpods with short stem and in ear seal.. I am ready to let go of my Powerbeats Pro right now..

Ditto! I only got the Powerbeats pro because AirPods don’t stay in my ears. At all. Just turning my head, or chewing, or blinking too loudly, and out they come.

Powerbeats Pro barely fit, either - I needed to buy third party tips, and they still slowly work their way partially out, mostly because the ear clip pulls them a bit.

 

[cmaier]

Here we go again with “no, no, no! This will fall out! I am sure of it even though I’ve never tried one!”

Remember when AirPods were announced? *eye roll*

yeah. They fall out of my ears at the slightest head movement, so i gave them to my kid.

 

[CarlJ]

God, no, I hate earphones with rubber ear tips! They a l w a y s fall out! That's the main reason I'm using AirPods!

"No, nobody will want the iPhone without a physical keyboard - on-screen keyboards don't work well!"... and then Apple made an on-screen keyboard that did work well, and the way we interact with phones changed, and now nobody wants a physical keyboard on their phone any more.

Based on experiences like that, I'm quite willing to wait and see what Apple comes up with. I strongly suspect they're not going to take off-the-shelf rubber(silicone) tips and shove them on the AirPods, they've likely put a little more thought than that into this.

 

[Geoko78]

Was waiting for the next generation airpods but if these are what apple has to offer then i will get the ones revealed a few months ago. Don't need this stupid noise cancellation feature with the rubber tips that gets in your ears and makes them hurt after a few minutes.I already tried beats x headphones and it was the worst product ever bought from apple. Not to mention the fact that they stopped working after 6 months of light usage...though i have to thank beats company for that because next thing i bought was the magical airpods.

 

[One.L-One.T]

Yes please!

I love my AirPods, but unfortunately a part of the small % of people whose ears they don't fit/stay in so I have to use some cheap silicone covers.

This would be very welcomed in my opinion.

meanwhile my cute tiny ears don't have enuf room and they bruise my cartilage and leave my ears sore for hours after wearing them a few minutes. yay silicon nubbies!

 

[MacLoveMacHate]

Will hell freeze over and Apple actually add sealing to these buds? I would've gotten the Airpods a while back if they simply added sealing for passive noise reduction.