The rumors about the iPhones' 3.5mm output were accurate (as well as most guesses about the event). As soon as rumors about Apple's wireless headphones appeared, AirPods, there was a lot of talk here, talk about l. The mockups, for example, showed a completely redesigned headset; maybe that's why, some were disappointed when we were introduced to basically the same design as EarPods, but wireless and with a “tail”. Even though they have been officially announced, some questions about them have surfaced and still float above our heads.
We can't wait to be able to bring you our own opinions; but for now, let’s trust the reports of those who have already tested (even if briefly) AirPods, hands-on Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. As soon as we put our hands on them, of course, we will conclude that what they say really does.
Here's a quick video of The Verge:
Pairing
As we saw in the keynote, the new wireless headphones bring “magical” pairing with Apple devices (with the latest systems). To do this, just open the carrying case (the “box”) that also serves as a charger for the headphones and the iPhone recognizes them automatically and instantly. Everyone who has tested this pairing actually says it works and there are several videos demonstrating this.
Like this:
Even though Apple "put a dash of magic" and modified the software so that the pairing happens in a practical way, everything points out that the technology used remains that of Bluetooth, as well as all other wireless headsets on the market. So some said that the headphones would work on devices other than Apple's. Matthew Panzarino, from TechCrunch, explains how it would be to stop them on other devices:
You pair them with a small flush button located on the back of the charging case – which can also be used to 'reset' all connections.
– Matthew Panzarino (@panzer) September 8, 2016
You pair them by pressing a button located on the back of the case which can also be used to “reset” all connections.
Operation
Shortly after Wednesday's keynote, many journalists had access to Apple's releases in a separate space just for that. Exactly due to the number of people, most of those who tested the AirPods claimed that it was not possible to evaluate exactly what Apple calls “a rich, high-quality AAC audio”. Even so, some said it worked very well and that the sound was great. For example, Christina Warren from Gizmodo tells how she was impressed with what she experienced:
AirPods have no noise cancellation, but in my brief experience in a busy location, they did a good job of blocking out the surrounding sound. And the microphone is adjusted so that when you are speaking, it filters out the outside noise and hears only your voice. I had no trouble talking to Siri, even in the middle of a crowd.
To call Siri, it's simple: just double tap the phone and tell her what you want, like increasing or decreasing volume, pausing a playback or any other question that we normally ask an assistant. Even though I haven't tried it (I wish), I can imagine that talking to Siri in public just to ask you to increase or decrease the volume doesn't seem like such a practical solution, I really hope they enable some other “touches” so that we can do this without much fanfare.
The headphones also have sensors that detect your ear canal, so I will only start playing music once you put them to your ear, even if you play on the iPhone, it does not play anything. Which will probably be great for the battery of both the headphones and the iPhone.
Does it fall?
One of the most recurring doubts about the new wireless headphones is that they will not easily fall out of the user's ears. Looking at the price, we need to trust that Apple has thought about it and found a way for them to remain steadfast in our ears. Very, very fortunately, the tests have shown us that they really “take the stride” even with running, jumping, jumping, etc. Susie Ochs' Macworld, definitive about it:
I not only danced but also “hit my head”. I shook my head from side to side, tossed my hair, simulated a run and looked like a fool doing it. The AirPods remained steady and tall. The music (from Asia, of course) sounded full and exuberant and I didn't hear a word from the people who were talking near me; it was like I was completely sealed in a bubble of rock and roll. Pretty impressive.
For those who still do not believe, we have ibages also in a short video that Natalie DiBlasio, from USA Today, published on his Twitter account.
Alright, the Apple wireless Air Pods are in! Let's see how they do with some jumping and shaking. #AppleEvent pic.twitter/FZaReT24f4
– Natalie DiBlasio (@ndiblasio) September 7, 2016
Okay, Apple's AirPods are in your ear! Let's see how they do with a few jumps and shakes. #AppleEvent
There is still uncertainty about how the headphones will perform with different ear sizes, but for that, we will need to be attentive to the reports and reviews that will certainly arise from the interwebs as soon as they are officially launched in late October.
What if they are stolen or I lose them?
In one story, Dave Smith of Business Insider raised this question. He answered it himself, looking very disappointed:
Apple says that if AirPods are lost or stolen, you will have to buy new ones, just like any other Apple product. There are no anti-theft measures in place to protect your shiny wireless headphones.
Contrasting these words, John Gruber ironically suggests in the Daring Fireball that none of the other companies that make wireless headsets does that.
Google search must be broken. I'm trying to find other materials from Business Insider about what happens when a $ 300 Bose / Beats / Sennheiser / Etymotic phone is lost or stolen and I'm not finding anything.
Fortunately, there are indications that Apple will sell AirPods individually in these cases, too, meaning you will not be forced to buy the pair if you lose / break just one of them.
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Although I really think that pieces of loose headphones would be * for me * easily lost, at least we have the case that comes with it and I agree with the TechCrunch when it suggests that it looks very much like a floss box (😝). Incidentally, it must definitely be very good to have threads that magically tangle in a second when we put them in your pocket or some backpack (no, no?).
In the end, I believe that even though Apple was not a pioneer in wireless headsets, it has all the power to influence the entire market and make this technology really “catch on”.
(via 9to5Mac)
