After months of rumors and teases, Apple officially lifted the lid on its redesigned AirPods in March, introducing a whole host of innovative new features designed to elevate the wireless earbuds experience and give users more control with ‘Hey Siri’. This week, we take a closer look at the cord-free earphones and explore the future of Apple’s blockbuster accessory.
Out-of-the-Box Brilliance
Although second-generation AirPods may look like the first-generation earbuds, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. As Apple does with virtually every one of its products, the AirPods 2 elevate the experience everyone loved with generation one, introducing a host of features and functionality that improve performance and convenience. AirPods are wire-free, plastic earbuds that are designed to fit inside of your ear, and although some customers complained about the fitting the ergonomic shape means that AirPods are a comfortable fit for the majority of folk.
As is the case with the first-generation AirPods, AirPods 2 feature a motion accelerometer and dual optical sensors that allow you to tap gestures and control the AirPods. Generation two also includes an improved ear detection feature, with the device able to know when they are in your ear and when they’re taken out, pausing music and podcasts accordingly. What’s particularly interesting about AirPods 2 is that, although they’re not water resistant, Apple did add a water repellent coating to the circuit board to make them suitable for everyday use.
As Apple did with the iPhone over a number of years, it’s expected that AirPods will eventually be water resistant, although it’s unlikely you’d want to wear AirPods when swimming as the sound would be muffled by splashing sounds.
Read the full article at AppleMagazine #392 edition.