Apple Launches 2nd Gen AirPods: Longer Talk Time & Hands-Free ‘Hey Siri’
by Anton Shilov on March 20, 2019 9:40 AM EST
Apple on Wednesday introduced its 2nd Generation AirPods. The new AirPods supports hands-free ‘Hey Siri’ functionality, a longer battery life for coversations, and faster connect times. The new headset will be available in both wireless and wired charging cases.
The 2nd Gen Apple AirPods use the company’s new Apple H1 (Hearable 1?) SoC that is said to be considerably faster and more energy-efficient than its predecessor, the Apple W1. In particular, Apple says that the new AirPods deliver up to 50% more talk time and can switch between devices (iPhone, Watch, iPad, etc.) two times faster when compared to the 1st Gen AirPods. Furthermore, the new wireless headset supports hands-free ‘Hey Siri’ functionality enabling users to make phone calls, ask for directions, or simply change songs without touching anything.
While the new AirPods deliver up to 50% more talk time, Apple says that their listening time on one charge will remain at about 5 hours, whereas their battery life with a charging case (that holds multiple charges) will remain at about 24 hours, which is similar to what the 1st Gen AirPods offers. Apple did not disclose more precise specifications of the device (e.g., frequency response, etc.).
Apple will supply its 2nd Gen AirPods in two versions. The budget model will come in a standard wired charging case and will cost $159. The more expensive model will come in a wireless charging case and will be priced at $199. Both versions will be available starting next week from Apple.com. The wireless charging case will be available separately for $79.
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Sources: Apple
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cfenton - Wednesday, March 20, 2019 - link
Those seem like decent updates. Apple can charge whatever they want until someone comes up with a competitive product and sells it for less. From the reviews I've read, it seems like no one can compete with the ease of use that the W1 and H1 allow.Sttm - Wednesday, March 20, 2019 - link
No one can compete because no one else has control over the software or the hardware to enable it. Bose cannot make a W1 chip device, or change the Apple software to work with a chip they create themselves.Yet another area antitrust regulators should be looking at.
close - Wednesday, March 20, 2019 - link
You know some funky words, antitrust, regulators... Let me blow your mind: Antitrust means antimonopoly, to keep it simple. Apple has a tiny fraction of a market with dozens of other players, and their tech doesn't block anyone from using publicly available tech (like BT) to connect to any phone. They are free to improve their however they see fit and make their products better using their proprietary technology.I'll just feed you the conclusion because I don't have all week: There's no abuse, no antitrust, no regulation broken.
cfenton - Wednesday, March 20, 2019 - link
I should have been more clear, but I meant that no other phone manufacturer has gone to the same lengths as Apple to make wireless headphones work better. Samsung could easily put a chip in their Galaxy line and sell earbuds with a corresponding chip. They don't. Instead, they just use standard Bluetooth.close - Friday, March 22, 2019 - link
Correct, most other companies are content with just borrowing the aesthetic concept, not the functional one. So now you have a wave of truly wireless headphones (2 independent earbuds) where the looks are much more Apple like than the inner workings. The intention is just to ride in the slipstream and hope that the users assume that if looks are similar then function must be too.Sailor23M - Wednesday, March 20, 2019 - link
Does anyone know if these are BT 5.0?