'Powerbeats4' With 'Hey Siri' Support Referenced in iOS 13.3 Code

[MacRumors]

Apple appears to be working on new "Powerbeats4" wireless earphones to replace the existing Powerbeats3, based on strings in iOS 13.3 code uncovered by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser.

Powerbeats3​

9to5Mac was first to discover the Powerbeats4 reference, noting that the earphones will likely support hands-free "Hey Siri." This means the Powerbeats4 will likely have an Apple-designed H1 chip or newer, which delivers a faster and more stable wireless connection to your devices.

With the H1 chip, the Powerbeats4 would likely support "Announce Messages with Siri." When enabled, Siri reads your incoming messages out loud when your earphones are connected to your iPhone or iPad running iOS 13.2 or iPadOS 13.2 or later, you're wearing them, and your device is locked. Siri plays a tone, then announces the sender's name and reads the message.

Apple already released totally wireless Powerbeats Pro with "Hey Siri" support earlier this year for a regular price of $249.95. Powerbeats4 would likely be a cheaper version of the earphones and will presumably stick with the cord between the left and right earphone like the Powerbeats3, which retail for $199.95.

It is unclear if and when Apple will release the Powerbeats4 or if that will be the final consumer-facing name of the earphones.

iOS 13.3 was released yesterday.

Article Link: 'Powerbeats4' With 'Hey Siri' Support Referenced in iOS 13.3 Code

 

[Hazmat401]

I don’t see the point.... Powerbeats Pro work pretty well... eliminate the wired version to save Money on manufacturing so you lower the price of the Pro’s $25-$50 and then profit by volume sales 🤷🏾‍♂️

 

[BeefCake 15]

How will the Powerbeats4 fit with Powerbeats Pro? why the redundancy...

 

[Will.O.Bie]

I think they are doing this for a lower price point than PowerBeats Pro ($129?), otherwise, there is no point in doing this. Wired earphones are clunky and annoying after getting used to 100% bluetooth, there's no going back to this for a lot of people.

 

[Baymowe335]

I don’t see the point.... Powerbeats Pro work pretty well... eliminate the wired version to save Money on manufacturing so you lower the price of the Pro’s $25-$50 and then profit by volume sales 🤷🏾‍♂️

Thanks for the tip, but Apple has their manufacturing, pricing, and supply chain down to a science.

 

[V.K.]

I might get these when they are out. I had BeatsX (they were great but died eventually) and have PowerBeats Pro now. Overall I prefer BeatsX. I actually like the wire. You can take off the headphones and leave them around your neck. I did that all the time. With Beats Pro I have to take out the case, put the headphones in and put the case back in my bag (the case is huge and doesn't fit comfortably in my pockets). Then do the same in opposite order when I want to listen to something. It's a hassle.

 

[chipb]

Thanks for the tip, but Apple has their manufacturing, pricing, and supply chain down to a science.

Really? The speaker is still way over priced...

 

[edgonzalez32]

Oh **** yea. I really like having the wire with all of the long runs I do. Still thinking about getting the powerbeats 3 again, considering how cheap they are right now.

 

[Baymowe335]

Really? The speaker is still way over priced...

Nice evidence, but they haven’t exactly lowered the price.

 

[44267547]

Great product with outstanding reviews, but I just can’t get past the design on these. They stick out obtrusively. The AirPod Pros are more in line of a discreet look that I prefer.

 

[FlyingDutch]

I don’t understand how they will be compared to Powerbeats Pro. 🧐

 

[FaustsHausUK]

I might get these when they are out. I had BeatsX (they were great but died eventually) and have PowerBeats Pro now. Overall I prefer BeatsX. I actually like the wire. You can take off the headphones and leave them around your neck. I did that all the time. With Beats Pro I have to take out the case, put the headphones in and put the case back in my bag (the case is huge and doesn't fit comfortably in my pockets). Then do the same in opposite order when I want to listen to something. It's a hassle.

Yeah, that was why I chose BeatsX over the AirPods: besides better ear fit, the security of the little rubber connector "wire" is a godsend. If the battery hadn't started to hold less charge, the BeatsX would still be getting a lot of use today.

 

[zombierunner]

Studio Pro please.

 

[MadeTheSwitch]

I don’t see the point.... Powerbeats Pro work pretty well... eliminate the wired version to save Money on manufacturing so you lower the price of the Pro’s $25-$50 and then profit by volume sales 🤷🏾‍♂️

Some of us prefer the security of having the wires. I don’t like working without a net.

 

[iSayuSay]

Update the BeatsX please? I love that headphones very much. Sounds as good as PowerBeats Pro, with security of a neckband

 

[boswald]

I really should experience Beats technology someday. I heard [no pun intended] it's pretty decent!

 

[FaustsHausUK]

I really should experience Beats technology someday. I heard [no pun intended] it's pretty decent!

Honestly, I hated the Beats line for the longest time. Given their target audience, they were very bass-heavy and needed a lot of EQ tweaking. They seem to slowly be moving to a more neutral sound lately. I am very, very happy with the sound of the Studio3 I picked up with my tax return.

 

[darcyf]

I think they are doing this for a lower price point than PowerBeats Pro ($129?), otherwise, there is no point in doing this. Wired earphones are clunky and annoying after getting used to 100% bluetooth, there's no going back to this for a lot of people.

These are 100% bluetooth. I have the 3's and the cable that connects the two earbuds is actually super convenient for when you want to remove the earbuds but not have to set them down or put them away. The ones they released this year without that cable defeat the purpose IMHO, and the idea of having the leave them in your ear when not in use to avoid having the put them away is anti-social in appearance and unhygienic.