In an email to customers on Tuesday, Apple shared some of its Back to College deals for 2021 that include AirPods and AppleCare+.
AirPods
Ming Chi-Kuo: AirPods Pro Two Coming 2022
New AirPods Pro 2 will debut in 2022, according to a note from analyst Ming -Chi-Kuo seen by iMore. Indeed, he expects Apple’s earbuds to ship 100 million units overall that year.
Kuo says that while Apple’s AirPods business will “decline in the short term (2H21–1H22)” he expects that to be rectified by the second half of the year. Short term, however, lower than expected demand is thought to mean Apple will ship up to 75 million units which is 10 million down on the previous prediction. In terms of AirPods as a whole, Kuo says that he expects Apple to ship more than 100 million units in 2022, even if the new products don’t feature an “innovative experience.” Such an experience has been talked about before — previous reports have suggested some form of health tracking could be added to AirPods Pro specifically.
What's New With AirPods!
Check everything new coming to AirPods covered in Mac Geek Gab 875 from Apple’s WWDC21 Event!
AirPods Volume Low? Suck the Suck Out of Your AirPods
In this week’s Mac Geek Gab 873, listener Raymond shares a clever way of clearing up your AirPods’ sound. Press play and learn in two minutes or less!
Reminder: You Can Charge AirPods With an iPhone 12 MagSafe Puck
If you have a MagSafe puck you got with an iPhone 12 or purchased separately, you can use it to charge your AirPods.
Clarifying Apple Lossless Audio – TMO Daily Observations 2021-05-26
Charlotte Henry and Dave Hamilton join host Kelly Guimont to sort through the scenarios where Apple’s new lossless audio will and won’t work.
Which Devices Support Lossless Audio With Apple Music, and Which Don’t?
Support for lossless audio with Apple Music has arrived but not all devices will be able to get the benefit of the new feature.
Apple Lossless: Who Knows? Who Cares? – TMO Daily Observations 2021-05-18
Dave Hamilton and Charlotte Henry join host Kelly Guimont to discuss Apple Music’s new “lossless” stream, and who will benefit (or even notice).
Apple Music Going Lossless, but Will Anyone Really Notice? — Media+
Adrian Weckler joins host Charlotte Henry to discuss the imminent arrival of Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos and lossless audio to Apple Music. It’s cool, but are many people actually going to notice the difference?
Apple Music Lossless Audio Doesn't Work on AirPods, Not Even Wired AirPods Max
It turns out that no AirPods will be able to play lossless audio when the feature arrives on Apple Music. This includes the US$549 AirPods Max, even when they are using a wired connection, The Verge reported.
“Lossless audio is not supported on AirPods, any model,” an Apple spokesperson said by email. “AirPods Max wired listening mode accepts analog output sources only. AirPods Max currently does not support digital audio formats in wired mode.” It makes complete sense that the AirPods and AirPods Pro have no way of playing lossless audio. They’re totally wireless, and Apple supports the AAC codec over Bluetooth. AAC sounds plenty good, but it’s nowhere near the bit rate of CD-quality or high-resolution tracks. To do any better, Apple would need to come up with some new wireless codec — its own version of Sony’s LDAC, sort of — or make these things play music over Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth. None of that is happening today or by June when Apple Music will start offering lossless. Things are a little more complicated with the AirPods Max, which can be plugged into audio sources with a cable. However, it turns out that even if you have Apple’s $35 Lightning-to-3.5mm cable plugged into a device that’s streaming lossless Apple Music tracks, you’re not going to hear the full audio fidelity of the source.
Wirelessly Charge AirPods, Apple Watch, iPhone at the Same Time: $32.99
We have a deal on the 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad. With 3 wireless charging coils, you can can charge you Apple Watch, AirPods, and iPhone at the same time (or any Qi-enabled phone). It’s powered through USB-C, and it’s $32.99 through our deal.
Spatial Audio With Dolby Atmos and Lossless Audio Comes to Apple Music
Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos is coming to Apple Music and the service’s entire library of tracks is also going to become available in Lossless audio.
Star Wars Day! (Also Apple Chat) – TMO Daily Observations 2021-05-04
Charlotte Henry joins host Kelly Guimont on Star Wars Day to discuss new OS updates, and what both are looking forward to coming out of Cupertino.
Apple Event Predictions and Wishes – TMO Daily Observations 2021-04-13
Bryan Chaffin joins host Kelly Guimont to discuss their predictions and also hopes for the newly announced Apple Event on April 20.
AirBuddy 2 - Connect AirPods to Your Mac with One Click: $8.99
We have a deal on AirBuddy 2, a Mac utility that allows you to connect your AirPods to your Mac with one click. With AirBuddy, you can also open your AirPods case next to your Mac and see the current status right away, just like it works on your iPhone or iPad. It’s $8.99 through our deal.
HyperJuice is a New Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand for iPhone 12, AirPods
HYPER by Sanho Corporation released the HyperJuice Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand on Tuesday for iPhone 12 and AirPods.
Satechi Launches Dual Charger for Apple Watch, AirPods
Satechi has released a unique 2-in-1 USB-C charger for Apple Watch and AirPods. It’s available exclusively through Apple for US$49.95.
AirBuddy 2 - Connect AirPods to Your Mac with One Click: $8.99
We have a deal on AirBuddy 2, a Mac utility that lets you connect your AirPods to your Mac with a single click. With AirBuddy, you can also open your AirPods case next to your Mac and see the current status right away, just like it works on your iPhone or iPad. It’s $8.99 through our deal.
Apple’s Wearables Business Equal to Fortune 120 Company Macy’s
During Apple’s earnings call on Wednesday, CFO Luca Maestri mentioned that Apple’s wearables business is now worth that of a Fortune 120 company.
Swap AirPods Max Ear Cushions With New Update
As was rumored previously, Apple is now selling individual AirPods Max Ear Cushions. They attach and re-attach with magnets.
This App-Integrated Case Prevents Your AirPods from Being Lost: $35.99
We have a deal on Air Fob, an app-integrated case for your AirPods Charging Case that will protect that case and help you not lose it. The case is made from silicon rubber, and it features an integrated Mu tag in the top of the case that will help prevent your AirPods from being lost. It’s $35.99 through our deal.
Apple Rumors for 2021 Include AirPods, AirTags, AR Device
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple will release AirTags, new AirPods, an AR device, and more this year.
AirPods Max Announced – TMO Daily Observations 2020-12-08
Dave Hamilton and Bryan Chaffin join host Kelly Guimont to discuss Apple’s new AirPods Max specs, pricing, and comparison to other headphones.
Apple Releases New ‘AirPods Max’ Over-Ear Headphones
Apple has launched a new product called AirPods Max, a wireless, over-the-ear headset with high-fidelity audio, active noise cancellation, and more.