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Are you buying apples new wireless AirPods?


  • Total voters
    476

jedolley

macrumors 68000
Sep 18, 2009
1,780
8
AirPods has a sensor to know you're wearing or not. Just wearing it will connect it to your devices. (Connect, not pairing. You don't have to "pair" AirPods anymore)

I understand how they work, just using the old Bluetooth term. I don't have to pair my Bose either since their are already "paired", they connect when I push the button.

Also, they have to "pair" at least initially or they would connect to any iPhone in range. Pairing is the association between the earphones and the device. It may not "pair" in the traditional bluetooth sense, but it still pairs.
 

matrix07

macrumors G3
Jun 24, 2010
8,226
4,895
I understand how they work, just using the old Bluetooth term. I don't have to pair my Bose either since their are already "paired", they connect when I push the button.

Also, they have to "pair" at least initially or they would connect to any iPhone in range. Pairing is the association between the earphones and the device. It may not "pair" in the traditional bluetooth sense, but it still pairs.

True but pairing implies you have to un-pair the one you're using if you want to use another AirPods. This is not the case. So "Connect" is a better term.
 

jedolley

macrumors 68000
Sep 18, 2009
1,780
8
True but pairing implies you have to un-pair the one you're using if you want to use another AirPods. This is not the case. So "Connect" is a better term.

Um, no. This goes back to my original statement that "not all bluetooth experiences are created equally". I have been able to pair multiple headsets to the same device and even multiple of the same device as each has a unique address.

Again, the Airpods and W1 chip simplify the process, but at the core the technology and terms are the same. Just because Apple chooses to use the term "connect" doesn't mean "pairing" doesn't occur or apply, its just marketing to differentiate themselves from bluetooth even though it's still using bluetooth.
 

matrix07

macrumors G3
Jun 24, 2010
8,226
4,895
Um, no. This goes back to my original statement that "not all bluetooth experiences are created equally". I have been able to pair multiple headsets to the same device and even multiple of the same device as each has a unique address.

Again, the Airpods and W1 chip simplify the process, but at the core the technology and terms are the same. Just because Apple chooses to use the term "connect" doesn't mean "pairing" doesn't occur or apply, its just marketing to differentiate themselves from bluetooth even though it's still using bluetooth.

Have you tried your headsets on different devices, i.e. iPad? Did you have to un-pair from iPhone first?
 

jedolley

macrumors 68000
Sep 18, 2009
1,780
8
Have you tried your headsets on different devices, i.e. iPad? Did you have to un-pair from iPhone first?

Yes, and No. I stated in my original post that my Bose SoundSport are already paired with my phone and iPad and when I power them on it announces the remaining battery life and the devices its connected to. I haven't had to unpair/pair them since the initial setup.

I have had other headsets that did not allow me to connect to multiple devices or at least not easily. Since they all use the same bluetooth technology, I put this on the manufacturer.

Keep in mind that the Airpods still use bluetooth and the W1 chip is there to "improve" the connection experience. I assume the W1 chip is there for the neat trick Apple does when the case is opened or when the Airpods are put in your ears, but at the end of the day, its still a bluetooth connection.
 

matrix07

macrumors G3
Jun 24, 2010
8,226
4,895
I have had other headsets that did not allow me to connect to multiple devices or at least not easily. Since they all use the same bluetooth technology, I put this on the manufacturer.

My Bluetooth adventure was short life because this pair/un-pair hassles and made me a bit uneasy about the term. If yours can work without it then great for you. Didn't mean to call you wrong or I'm right. Just want to be explicit that the process is just one time, that's all.
 

jedolley

macrumors 68000
Sep 18, 2009
1,780
8
My Bluetooth adventure was short life because this pair/un-pair hassles and made me a bit uneasy about the term. If yours can work without it then great for you. Didn't mean to call you wrong or I'm right. Just want to be explicit that the process is just one time, that's all.

I understand. I have also gone through a number of bluetooth headsets and feel your pain. My goal was to point out that not all bluetooth experiences are the same (see original quote below). The bluetooth technology is much better than what some manufacturers end up doing with it and it's a shame.

While I recognize that the Airpods/W1 chip's pairing capabilities are much better than the average bluetooth experience, not all bluetooth experience are alike.
 
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pommie82

macrumors 6502
Jan 4, 2011
299
30
uk
Only thing you can do is try them out if you are not happy with then return them and get your money back or buy something else from apple that would be more use to you
 

pommie82

macrumors 6502
Jan 4, 2011
299
30
uk
I have decided to buy them for when i go cycling because i do a lot of commuting on the bike and the airpods would come in great for me because then i get to my destination i can just them up and on the way home i would have to worry about getting a flat battery because they would of charged in the case and the lot of the time i only use one ear phone to when i am cycling because i am listening to the traffic all the time so i can hear what is coming i just have the other headphone in the other ear for back ground noise
 
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pommie82

macrumors 6502
Jan 4, 2011
299
30
uk
winter is coming... durability in minus celsius degrees? raining/snowing?
I think apple would of thought about the Temperature factor of things they wouldn't of not though of it because they know that people live in different climates all over the world eg russian which is one of the most coldest places on earth and i should of thought in a couple of months they would be selling them over their
 

MS_Hedrick

macrumors member
Jul 24, 2016
90
28
Usability issues notwithstanding, if the sound quality of $160 AirPods is equal to free pack-in EarPods, then someone at Apple set the bar for these at 'good enough'. That's not what I come to Apple for. Good freshman effort, looking forward to v2.0

And to be honest, I'm not the most attractive guy around. Brad Pitt would have trouble looking good in these.
 

Knowimagination

macrumors 68020
Apr 6, 2010
2,228
1,288
I'm really tempted by them. I have been wanting truly wireless earbuds for a while, not sure that I will buy them right away and would probably mainly use them for podcasts and occasionally music where I don't feel like wearing over ears.

If they came in jet black to match my phone I would probably order them as soon as they were available though haha.
 

SchneiderMan

macrumors G3
May 25, 2008
8,332
202
I'd buy them, but I'm sure Jabra's Elite Sport and Bragi's Headphone earbuds will sound and fit a lot better.
 

rockyromero

macrumors 6502
Jul 11, 2015
468
147
Usability issues notwithstanding, if the sound quality of $160 AirPods is equal to free pack-in EarPods, then someone at Apple set the bar for these at 'good enough'.

There must be limitations that we are unaware of.

Otherwise, it would make sense that Apple would improve on the sound quality.


 

Dmaynard83

macrumors 6502a
Jul 16, 2012
825
66
I'd buy them, but I'm sure Jabra's Elite Sport and Bragi's Headphone earbuds will sound and fit a lot better.
I tried the bragi dash for a week and the "fit" part may vary because some people don't like the EarPods feel and others don't like the "earbud" feel like me.

I can't say how the bragi headphones will feel but if the Bluetooth connection is anything like the dash I'm confident the airpods will sound way better.
 

rockyromero

macrumors 6502
Jul 11, 2015
468
147
I can't say how the bragi headphones will feel but if the Bluetooth connection is anything like the dash I'm confident the airpods will sound way better.

Hmmm.

A billionaire bought 8 iPhones v7 for his dog.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/20/asia/china-richest-man-dog-iphones/

I also saw a picture of the dog with an Apple Watch on each of the front paws.

I imagine that when the dog starts wearing the Airpods that they will fall out. Probably.

Nothing was said about how many pairs will be needed.

Nor what would be listened to.

It must be the W1 chip that convinced the need for switching from iPhone to iPhone to iPhone.

Easily.

No word on what Siri voice was to be used.

Maybe Alaskan. Probably Chinese. Mandarin.

 
Last edited:

Gregintosh

macrumors 68000
Jan 29, 2008
1,923
553
Chicago
For people comparing battery life, try making an apples to apples comparison. All the truly wireless earbuds have much less battery life. Usually 1-2 hours. Apple has more than 5.

Comparing Airpod battery to a headset with wires (like those annoying neckband ones) or big cans isn't a fair comparison.

Also, at $159 these are among the cheapest wireless earbuds you can buy. Most companies start theirs at $199 or $299 even.
 
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Dmaynard83

macrumors 6502a
Jul 16, 2012
825
66
For people comparing battery life, try making an apples to apples comparison. All the truly wireless earbuds have much less battery life. Usually 1-2 hours. Apple has more than 5.

Comparing Airpod battery to a headset with wires (like those annoying neckband ones) or big cans isn't a fair comparison.

Also, at $159 these are among the cheapest wireless earbuds you can buy. Most companies start theirs at $199 or $299 even.
Yep I've been
For people comparing battery life, try making an apples to apples comparison. All the truly wireless earbuds have much less battery life. Usually 1-2 hours. Apple has more than 5.

Comparing Airpod battery to a headset with wires (like those annoying neckband ones) or big cans isn't a fair comparison.

Also, at $159 these are among the cheapest wireless earbuds you can buy. Most companies start theirs at $199 or $299 even.
yep I've been saying this but people still feel they can compare bluebirds and powerbeats to the airpods.

A better comparison are the bragi dash/headphones or iconx.

The iconx has 1 hour of battery life - enough said.

Bragi dash has sub par blue youth connection and can only take calls from the right side. The form factor looks nice though.

Overall the airpods seem to be the best, have the best battery and blue connection is great according to reviews that I've read so far. Just the look of the mini cigarettes is the only negative that I see. I prefer the feel of EarPods over other types of earbuds you have to stuff into your ear canals.
 

Howyalikdemapls

macrumors 6502a
Sep 2, 2013
822
873
I had a chance to actually look through the Airpods reviews online and the CNET reviewer says no, but some others say yes. I originally thought you needed both in, but have since come to understand you can use just one. Now, I'm just confused.

The CNET review quote:
Can you just use one by yourself?
Yes, to take phone calls. Either bud will work the same, and it'll switch seamlessly if you change earbuds. It's pretty clever. But you can't play music this way: Both buds need to be in.

A contradicting quote from Wired:
If you only have one bud in to start, it automatically shifts to mono sound.

Some clarity from Apple would be greatly appreciated...
Optical sensors and motion accelerometers work with the W1 chip to automatically control the audio and engage the microphone, giving you the ability to use one or both AirPods. They also enable AirPods to play sound as soon as they’re in your ears.

http://www.apple.com/airpods/
 

blackjackmark

macrumors 6502a
Apr 19, 2010
501
205
Considering a purchase, but fear I'm deluding myself that they would fit better than the standard EarPods do in my ears. The EarPods fit OK, but work their way out. Wondering if the lack of a cord would allow them to stay put better than the wired ones.

I only typically use headphones outdoors, so am hopeful the W1 chip improves the connectivity (really gets spotty outdoors when the phone is in my pocket.) Could look at one of the Beats versions that is going to have that chip as well, but then they don't come with the cool case that also chargeds the Pods back up! :p
 
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