Apple is separating the new smartphones into its usual low-cost versus high-cost categories, with big differences between the two models coming down to the camera, display, and battery life.
iOS 13 & watchOS 6 Now Available
AirPods Production Said to Begin in December in Limited Quantities
Ever since Apple delayed the launch of its all-new AirPods beyond the late October timeframe it originally promised, saying it needed "a little more time" before they are ready for customers, there have been conflicting rumors about when the wireless earphones will actually be released.
The latest word comes from investment bank Barclays, which in a research note we saw said AirPods should enter production in December. That means AirPods could still feasibly be released in time for the final weeks of the holiday shopping season, although a January 2017 launch as previously rumored, or later, is possible.
Barclays said the initial production run will be "fairly small," totaling between 10 million and 15 million AirPods to start. Depending on demand, the limited supply could result in a scenario where AirPods stock is quickly depleted upon launch, resulting in extended shipping estimates akin to a new iPhone launch.
Earlier this week, an employee at Apple reseller Conrad reportedly told a customer it will receive AirPods stock on November 17. As we noted at the time, it is entirely possible the employee provided inaccurate information. Apple lists AirPods as both "coming soon" and "currently unavailable" on different parts of its website.
The latest word comes from investment bank Barclays, which in a research note we saw said AirPods should enter production in December. That means AirPods could still feasibly be released in time for the final weeks of the holiday shopping season, although a January 2017 launch as previously rumored, or later, is possible.
Barclays said the initial production run will be "fairly small," totaling between 10 million and 15 million AirPods to start. Depending on demand, the limited supply could result in a scenario where AirPods stock is quickly depleted upon launch, resulting in extended shipping estimates akin to a new iPhone launch.
Earlier this week, an employee at Apple reseller Conrad reportedly told a customer it will receive AirPods stock on November 17. As we noted at the time, it is entirely possible the employee provided inaccurate information. Apple lists AirPods as both "coming soon" and "currently unavailable" on different parts of its website.
Related Roundup: AirPods 2
Tags: Barclays, AirPods Guide
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Buy Now)
[ 172 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
37 months ago
Apple can't even ship a pair of head phones. RIP Steve
Jobs couldn't ship a white iPhone. RIP your memory.
37 months ago
Apple can't even ship a pair of head phones. RIP Steve
Here comes the "Steve Jobs" comments, where he has zero influence on something we don't even know why they were delayed to begin with. Misfortunes happened under Steve too. But I'm sure it's easier using him as leverage for posts like this.
37 months ago
Wonder what the hold up is? These really should've been ready the same time as the iPhone 7
37 months ago
I do not think they can sell all of those 10 million.
I agree, there is absolutely no chance that 1% of the billion iPhone users, not to count Mac, iPod, iPad, Watch, etc., not to count any non Apple smartphone or PC users looking for such a Bluetooth device, will ever buy any. No, never, not at all.
/s
37 months ago
Are you paid to write these comments? Seriously?
They are both sweat AND water resistant. Not sweat or water proof, but I don't know any that are.
We don't know yet how they sound, but they won't be as good as over-the-ear headphones, but these aren't what these are. They COULD be the best in-ear buds, or the worst, we don't know. Don't purchase them until you've tried others to compare.
The horrors!
There are a lot of nice features too: like ACTUALLY no wires, automatic bluetooth pairing (which is a pain doing it manually), Siri integration, easier charging.
You need to see if those additional features are worth the money. To many people they aren't, but to many people they are.
Most people I know, $160 is an impulse purchase. They see something like - oooooh, no wires at all and easy charging! $160 is a GREAT price, and purchase it immediately.
Others like you, $160 is a lot, which is why you bring up how pricey you think $160 is.
1. No inline controls.
These use Siri. No need for external buttons. All the controls for playing music, playlists, turning up and down volume etc. are there, with the additional features that no other earbuds have of doing something like 'play hits from 1985', or even getting directions like 'how do I get to the library?'2. No noise isolation.
I don't know of ANY earbuds that do offer noise isolation.
3. No sweat/water resistance.
They are both sweat AND water resistant. Not sweat or water proof, but I don't know any that are.
4. Allegedly sound just a touch better than the terrible free headphones Apple gives away with iPhone's.
We don't know yet how they sound, but they won't be as good as over-the-ear headphones, but these aren't what these are. They COULD be the best in-ear buds, or the worst, we don't know. Don't purchase them until you've tried others to compare.
5. Hard plastic in your ear.
The horrors!
There are a lot of nice features too: like ACTUALLY no wires, automatic bluetooth pairing (which is a pain doing it manually), Siri integration, easier charging.
You need to see if those additional features are worth the money. To many people they aren't, but to many people they are.
Most people I know, $160 is an impulse purchase. They see something like - oooooh, no wires at all and easy charging! $160 is a GREAT price, and purchase it immediately.
Others like you, $160 is a lot, which is why you bring up how pricey you think $160 is.
37 months ago
Weird that they announced the delay at the last minute considering they were so far from being ready to ship. Surely they knew way before?
37 months ago
I was look foward to having a pair of them, but yet again Apple has disipointed again, time to lower the bar. I miss the old Apple.
[ Read All Comments ]
Twitter today rolled out its new "Hide Replies" feature in the U.S. and Japan, providing Twitter users with more control over the replies that are visible following a tweet.
The idea...
If you use one of the Infograph watch faces on your Apple Watch, you may be surprised to find that the colors have drained from your chosen complications since you updated to watchOS 6.
...
Apple's newest range of smartphones, the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone Pro Max, share the same overall design of Apple's 2018 devices. In the absence of a Home button, they've also...
Apple today shared a new trailer for its upcoming TV show "Dickinson," which stars Hailee Steinfeld as poet Emily Dickinson.
The show will be one of the first available when Apple TV+...
Apple today seeded a beta of iOS 13.1 that's designed to work with the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max.
The new beta can be installed over-the-air after installing the proper...
Apple officially releases iOS 13 in just over an hour, and a host of new iPhone features are coming with it, including a system-wide Dark Mode, a Find My app, a revamped Photos app, updated privacy...
Netgear has opened pre-orders for the latest version of its Orbi Mesh Wi-Fi System, which features 6th-generation Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax technology that supports gigabit wireless speeds.
For those...
Apple today released a new update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser Apple first introduced three years ago in March 2016. Apple designed the Safari Technology Preview to test...
