AirPods

TMO Deals

AirPod 5-Piece Case Cover and Accessory Pack: $12.99

Bryan Chaffin ·

We have a deal on an AirPod 5-Piece case cover and accessory pack. It includes a case to protect your AirPods case, an anti-loss strap for those times when you might be concerned about losing your AirPods, a watch band holder that holds your AirPods on your watch band, ear tips to provide a comfortable fit and sound isolation, and a carabiner that connects to the case. You can get all that for $12.99 through our deal. I’m linking directly to a black model, but there are also options for pink, red, blue, gray, and yellow.

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Apple Korea Shares a Video of Creative AirPods Cases

Andrew Orr ·

Apple Korea posted a YouTube video showing off some creative AirPods cases and skins that customers are using.

창의성 충만한 여러분의 손길을 거쳐 변신한 개성만점 각양각색 AirPods. 여기 저마다의 매력을 뽐냅니다.

A variety of unique AirPods transformed through your hands full of creativity. Here’s their charm.

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Future Apple Headphones Could Tell Which Ear They’re In

Andrew Orr ·

New patents reveal that future Apple headphones could tell which ear they’re in using machine learning.

Apple notes that “During operation, capacitive sensor electrodes may be used by the control circuitry in capturing capacitive sensor ear images that are processed by a machine learning classifier. The machine learning classifier may be used to determine whether the headphones are being worn in a reversed or unreversed orientation.

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You Can Buy Diamond-Encrusted AirPods for $20,000

Andrew Orr ·

Do you have a spare US$20,000 lying around that you don’t know what to do with? Buy these AirPods decked out in diamonds with a marble stand.

Ian DeLucca’s Object No. 1 AirPods are part of his “New Materialism” series, focused on spotlighting the intersection of art and commerce. Twenty-five pairs of the earphones are being made with diamonds that are said to be VVS1-quality, and naturally mined rather than manufactured. Each white gold pair gets inscribed with its creation date and an edition number.

I just want stealth-black AirPods, thanks.

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News+: Apple's Courage to Remove the Headphone Jack

Andrew Orr ·

In the latest magazine issue of Macworld, Michael Simon writes about Apple’s courage to remove the headphone jack.

At the iPhone 7 introduction, Apple VP Phil Schiller talked about having the “courage” to make the change, to leave the headphone jack behind. At the time it was kind of cringe-worthy…But you know what? He was right. It might have sounded like the reality distortion field on steroids, but Apple’s decision to remove the headphone jack from its  most popular product wasn’t a flippant design whim. It was the start of a new strategy that would bring convenience, simplicity, and downright delight.

This is part of Andrew’s News+ series, where he shares a magazine every Friday to help people discover good content in Apple News+.

TMO Deals

AirDock 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station:

Bryan Chaffin ·

We have a deal on the AirDock 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station, which allows you to charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods at the same time. There’s a Qi charger for your iPhone, an Apple Watch wireless charger, and cradle with a Lightning port for your AirPods case. This device is $34.99 through our deal.

TMO Deals

The iPhone XS Max 256GB + AirPods Giveaway (Last Chance)

Bryan Chaffin ·

Check out today’s giveaway, the The iPhone XS Max 256GB + AirPods Giveaway. w00t! Sign up to receive deal emails to enter the giveaway—if you’re already signed up for those emails, simply enter. It’s that simple, so get to it! This is the last chance, as this giveaway is coming to a close.

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It Turns Out That Science Petition Wasn’t Warning About AirPods

Andrew Orr ·

Remember that science petition going around that 250 scientists signed, warning about AirPods and cancer? Turns out it had nothing to do with AirPods.

So rather than finding any link between cancer or other issues in levels of EMF at or below the current, accepted regulations, the scientists involved here were simply asking for more research into to area and suggested that it was probably a good idea to limit human exposure.

Various bloggers picked up the subject and worked to associate it with Apple’s AirPods…without regard for the fact that nothing in the petition even suggested concern about in-ear headphones, Bluetooth, or AirPods.

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Scientists Say AirPods May be Linked to Cancer

Andrew Orr ·

Over 250 are signing a petition calling on the United Nations and World Health Organization to create stronger guidelines over devices like AirPods and possible links to cancer.

Some experts believe that AirPods may be especially dangerous since the devices sit deep inside the ear canal where they emit radiation to fragile parts of the ear. The scientists also noted other possible health hazards, including an increase in harmful free radicals, genetic damages, structural and functional changes of the reproductive system, learning and memory deficits, and neurological disorders.

Further reading: PSA: Wi-Fi Doesn Cause Cancer, Some Guidelines on how to Spot Bad Science.

TMO Deals

The iPhone XS Max 256GB + AirPods Giveaway

Bryan Chaffin ·

Check out the The iPhone XS Max 256GB + AirPods Giveaway we’re running with Stack Commerce. All you have to do is sign up—or log in to our Deals site if you’re already signed up—and click the green Enter to Win button. One winner will be drawn in about a month.

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AirPods 2 Might Charge in 15 Minutes

Charlotte Henry ·

The much anticipated AirPods 2 will charge quickly it seems. Very quickly. Cult of Mac reported on a tweet from writer Max Weinbach that said that the earbuds could be charged in 15 minutes. The case is though likely to be heavier and bigger, Mr. Weinbach said. It is also thought that the AirPods 2 will be available in black. It could all be unveiled at Apple’s expected March 25th event.

“AirPods wireless charging will happen. It will be VERY fast (0-100 in 15 minutes.) That speed is for the AirPods AND the case. It will probably use Qi charging,” said Max Weinbach on Twitter. The current version of these headphones already fast charge, but power comes from their case. The charging case has to be plugged into a Lightning cable. The next version will be all wireless.

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The Success of AirPods and Apple's Product Strategy

Andrew Orr ·

But fast-forward to 2019 and, somehow, the £159-a-pair little pods have transformed into a bona fide status symbol.

I’m not so sure AirPods are a status symbol, and definitely not a millennial one (The word millennial isn’t even mentioned in this article except the headline). But the AirPods are a great example of Apple’s product strategy: Enter a market with crappy products with a better designed, easy-to-use product, and reap the rewards.

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AirPods Have Become One of Apple's Most Important Products

Charlotte Henry ·

AirPods were somewhat derided when Apple first released them towards the end of 2016.  They looked silly, and surely they were going to fall out of your ear? As it happens, they have been a huge success, selling millions of units. Lance Ulanoff posted his take on the accessory’s success over on Medium, and it is well worth a read. He highlights how central AirPods could be to Apple’s strategy going forward.

Then, somewhere along the way, I started noticing other people wearing AirPods. At first it was just the occasional sighting, like spotting a green parrot in Brooklyn. However, I remember the moment when I stood in a New York City subway car and noticed more than a half dozen people wearing AirPods. Apple’s oddball product had broken through.