AirPods
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Apple's AirPower wireless charging mat could launch in March
Apple may be close to launching another one of the numerous products it teased last year. Sources talking to both MacOtakara and the Apple Post have claimed that the company's AirPower wireless charging mat should ship sometime in late March, about half a year after its September premiere. This would reportedly include the wireless charging case for AirPods, too. You might have to buy the case directly from Apple if you're upgrading an existing pair of earbuds, but multiple stores would sell a version of the AirPods with the wireless charging case included.
Apple is reportedly developing water-resistant AirPods
Apple plans to release upgraded AirPods regularly, according to Bloomberg, much like how it launches new iPhones like clockwork. The publication says the team that also created HomePod is already developing at least a couple of new versions, including one with an upgraded wireless chip and another that's water resistant. Apple reportedly plans to release the AirPods with an in-house designed chip for managing Bluetooth connections within the year, though it's unclear if its the same W2 chip inside Watch Series 3 devices or something new altogether.
Which true wireless earbuds are worth buying?
With so many flagship phones leaving behind the headphone jack over the past two years, the need for a good pair of Bluetooth earbuds has only intensified. While the first crop of true wireless products had their share of comfort and connection problems, the selection improved dramatically in 2017, with companies like Bose and Bang & Olufsen coming out with sets that gave Apple's AirPods a real run for the money. If you've been holding off on buying a pair because of cost, poor audio or because they just look ridiculous, it might finally be time to make the leap. We consulted reviews from top critics and came up with a list of six solid options that should have something for everyone, whether you're on a budget or prize sound quality above all else.
Florida man says his Apple AirPod exploded
A man in Florida claims that one of his Apple AirPods began smoking and later exploded. Florida's WFLA TV reports that the man, Jason Colon, was working out at a gym when he noticed smoke coming from the AirPod in his right ear. He immediately took both AirPods out and placed them on a piece of gym equipment while he sought help, but when he returned, the AirPod in question was charred and broken apart. "I didn't see it happen, but I mean, it was already fried. You can see flame damage," he told WFLA.
Apple invests $390 million into Face ID and AirPod tech
Apple has made another investment with its Advanced Manufacturing Fund (AMF), awarding Finisar $390 million. If the name doesn't sound familiar, its work will. Finisar is the company behind the iPhone X's Face ID, Animoji and Portrait mode for selfies -- all of which rely on vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL). It's also responsible for your AirPods' proximity sensing tech. The investment means Finisar will set up shop in a 700,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Texas in addition to expanding its research and development team.
Google made its own earbuds because it killed the headphone jack
Google followed Apple's "courageous" move to eliminate the 3.5mm headphone jack on the Pixel 2, and like the handset itself, Google designed a pair of headphones to (hopefully) best show off Assistant's capabilities. Like real-time translation so you can have a conversation with someone who speaks one of 40 foreign tongues. They're called Pixel Buds, which, let's be honest, sounds adorable. As soon as you pair them with your Pixel or Android phone running Nougat or higher, Assistant is available.
Apple's AirPower tech wirelessly charges multiple devices at once
Apple isn't just adding Qi wireless charging to its latest iPhones; it's trotting out a charging standard of its own. AirPower is built in partnership with Qi, but can top up multiple devices at once. At the September 12th presentation, Apple illustrated AirPower topping up an iPhone X, an Apple Watch and AirPods (with a new charging case) all at once. That's more than a little handy if you're traveling and would rather not lug around multiple adapters and cables. However, you'll have to wait to try it out.
Pebble founder's comeback is a battery case for iPhone and AirPods
After ushering in the smartwatch movement in 2012, Eric Migicovsky's Pebble brand fell by the wayside. The company was saved from bankruptcy by Fitbit, which acquired its talent and software last year, but ditched its beloved devices. Now, the man behind the e-watch timepiece is returning to the site of his greatest success: Kickstarter. And, this time, he's packing an iPhone case.
Philips has its own pair of cheap Bluetooth earbuds
One of the standout trends at IFA is the number of companies flinging themselves onto the Truly Wireless earbud bandwagon. It's clear that it's not just a niche product that Bragi and Samsung are catering to, but an audio product for everyone. Because the latest company to throw a hat into the ring is none other than mass-market experts Philips.
Goofy AirPod pockets are the latest ridiculous fashion statement
"I'm always losing my AirPods," says everyone who's purchased a pair of Apple's questionably fashionable wireless headphones. While it's unlikely that putting them in tiny pockets in your shirt collar will help much, Stone Island has come out with two new ways to do just that. Both pieces, part of the fashion company's Fall/Winter 2017 collection, will at least let you show off the fact that you bought the $160 peripherals while also proving that AirPod users are objectively the worst. (Full disclosure: I'm using my own pair right now.)
The best smartphones and mobile gear for students
Some of us here at Engadget can remember a time when cellphones on college campuses were strictly "for emergencies" (read: calls home to Mom and Dad). By now, of course, things have changed: Our handsets come with us everywhere, and most of us don't have to worry about pissing off our parents by exceeding our minutes allotment. We imagine many of today's college freshmen already have phones, but for those of you who've earned an upgrade, we crammed five into our back-to-school guide, including some budget options. Not in the market yet for a new phone? You might still want an external battery pack, a fast microSDXC card or, heaven forbid, a "selfie case," which is definitely a thing.
Those awkward AirPods will automatically link up to your Apple TV
Apple's AirPods might look pretty unusual, but no other pair of wireless earbuds on the market is as easy to use -- as long as you have Apple hardware, that is. Indeed, once you connect the AirPods to your iPhone, they are automatically ready to use with any of your other devices with the same iCloud account, which includes iPads, Macs running Sierra and the Apple Watch. Soon, those AirPods could work on one other Apple device in your home: your Apple TV.
The best true wireless headphones so far
By Lauren Dragan This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. When readers choose to buy The Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. We tested 11 of the most promising true wireless in-ear headphones (as in, no wires connecting the earpieces like traditional Bluetooth earbuds). All of them, we found, have some flaws in fit, functionality, or convenience. Because this is the first generation of the technology, manufacturers are still working out the kinks. As a result, we can't make an overall pick that we think would work for most people. What we can tell you is which sets are the better options right now, and what they offer in terms of pros and cons. Depending on how you plan to use your headphones, we have picks for iPhone/iOS users, budget-oriented folks, those who prioritize sound, fitness buffs, and Samsung users. This way, you can decide for yourself which, if any, will fit best into your lifestyle or be worth your money.
Merriam-Webster's idea of 'sheeple' are Apple fanboys
I'll admit it: I'm an unabashed Apple fanboy. I spent far too much on a Macbook Pro with specs that would cost half as much in the Windows world, I love my pair of ridiculous-looking and easily misplaced AirPods and I may or may not have a box full of old Newtons and Mac 512K parts. There's a term for folks like me, and Merriam-Webster just made it official: "Sheeple." The dictionary's editors just added the term, calling out its sick burn to Apple fans in a tweet.
Apple knows you keep losing your AirPods
If you're an AirPod owner, you've probably felt a twinge of panic or two over the thought of losing one on your daily commute. Luckily, Apple now has a solution. As part of the company's fresh 10.3 iOS update, you can now track down a missing earbud with the help of your phone's GPS.
Apple's 'polarizing' new products are paying off
Throughout much of 2016, it seemed like lots of Apple fans were unhappy. The year brought few updates to the Mac (and the one big change was quite polarizing), a barely redesigned iPhone with no headphone jack, AirPods that shipped two months late and a new Apple Watch that was a modest improvement to a product still seen as nonessential. But it's time to accept that the complainers on the internet (including those of us in the media) might not have our fingers on the pulse of Apple fandom. Case in point: Apple just reported a massively successful quarter. According to CEO Tim Cook, both iPhone and Apple Watch sales hit records for both unit sales and revenue. In the case of the iPhone, that reversed three consecutive quarters of declining sales. The iPhone turnaround had to be a huge relief for Apple: The product is the company's biggest revenue source by far.
Apple's 'Find My iPhone' app will help you locate lost AirPods
When Apple announced its wireless AirPods last fall, there was some anxiety over how easy it would be to lose one of the wireless earbuds. Well, the company is looking to ease that burden a bit. As part of the upcoming iOS 10.3 update, you will be able to use the Find My iPhone app to locate a lost AirPod. Just like the app helps you find a misplaced laptop, iPad or iPhone, it will soon tell you were that earbud fell out of your pocket.
Apple's tiny, totally wireless AirPods get meticulously torn down
After having been delayed for months -- for reasons never publicly confirmed, no less -- Apple's AirPods are finally here. And really, what better to way to celebrate one of the most curious delays in Apple history than by tearing those things apart? The folks at iFixit have done just that (as always), and the end result is a fascinating look at $160 worth of meticulously crafted silicon and audio parts. Spoiler alert: there's more glue in them than you'd think.
Apple will replace a lost AirPod for $69
Following a slightly delay, Apple's wireless AirPods are ready to order. They're small and sleek, but the lack of cords has put a nagging thought in the back of my mind: I am guaranteed to lose one, if not both within a few weeks. If you're equally forgetful, or happen to commute in jam-packed subway carriages, you'll be happy to hear that Apple will replace a single AirPod for $69 (£65). Given a fresh pair costs $159 (£159), that seems like a reasonable fee. Similarly, a new AirPod charging case will set you back $69 (£65), for the inevitable "I threw it out thinking it was floss" stories.
Apple AirPods finally go on sale after delays
Were you worried that Apple's delay in shipping AirPods would deprive you of a holiday gift? You can (probably) relax. Apple has quietly started selling its first self-branded Bluetooth earphones through at least its online store. If you order now, the $159 earpiece set should reach your door by December 22nd. You can always spring for Beats headphones if you need to get something Apple-made right now, of course, but Cupertino is counting on the AirPods' smarts winning you over -- they're easy to set up, make Siri just a double-tap away and can detect when they're in your ears. We didn't think the audio quality was spectacular, but these are as much about convenience and phone calls as anything else. Update: We hope you pulled the trigger quickly. New online orders are already slipping to December 29th, so that won't be a gift option. On the upside: Apple notes that its own retail stores, resellers and "select carriers" will have stock next week.
