As expected, Apple has also announced a brand new AirPods wireless headphones at its iPhone 7 launch event that happened earlier today. The new AirPods, which has been leaked for multiple times prior to this launch event, offers “effortless wireless listening experience” for users, and it features “high-quality audio” and a long battery life.
Specifications wise, the AirPods features a new Apple W1 chipset. It is also packed with additional hardware that not only gives a great listening experience, but also additional innovative features that “reinvents” how we listen to music. According to Apple, AirPods can seamlessly connect with any compatible Apple products without much effort from the user’s end – simply flip open the lid of the “innovative” charging case and tap on the accessory. AirPods will instantly be set up and ready to work with your iPhone and Apple Watch.
“AirPods are the first headphones to deliver a breakthrough wireless audio experience, and with the new Apple W1 chip they deliver innovative features including high quality sound, great battery life and automatic setup. AirPods are similar and magical to use, with no switches or buttons, automatically connecting to all your Apple devices simply and seamlessly, and letting you access Siri with just a double tap.” – Philip Schiller, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Apple.
On top of the new W1 chipset, Apple also packed dual optical sensors and accelerometers into each AirPod. With these sensors on board, AirPods can detect when you put on or take off the AirPods, and resume or pause your music automatically. Other features include double-tap to access Siri to have it perform all the usual Siri tasks, and automatic filtering out of external noise when you are speaking to the AirPods.
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As for the battery life, Apple claims that the W1 chipset is ultra-low power, offering AirPods with an extended operational time – it operates at one-third of the power of traditional wireless chips, enabling AirPods to deliver up to 5 hours of listening time in one charge. In addition to that, the custom-designed charging case also acts as a powerbank to the AirPods, giving it over 24 hours of total listening time.
The Apple wireless AirPods including its charging case will be available for US$159 (about RM646), starting from October 2016. It is compatible with Apple devices running on iOS 10, watchOS 3 or macOS Sierra.
