On September 7, 2016, during the presentation of the seventh-generation Apple smartphone, the famous California corporation presented its fans with Bluetooth headphones of its own brand - Apple AirPods. The presented wireless accessory for iPhone 7 was announced by the manufacturer as an innovative project. What is the latest development of the global giant? Can this product really be called innovation, or rather, Apple’s next marketing move to increase the company's profit? After reading the article below, a person who aims to purchase an exclusive “apple” accessory will receive clear answers to these questions.
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AirPods - Wireless Headphones for iPhone 7
The latest generation of Bluetooth headphones is a wireless accessory with completely new features. It is based on Apple's proprietary processor - W1. Thanks to the creation of this "basis", the modern user of the "apple" accessory can get a huge number of unique features of AirPods.
The device in question is compatible with all Apple devices running iOS 10, MacOS Sierra, WatchOS and newer versions. An important feature of the presented headphones, including for iPhone 7 and the plus version, is the ability to use them on Android devices. In this case, it is worth considering the probable loss of a certain part of the functions available when working with "apple" devices.
AirPods are two, in a standard color, white earphones, which are in their own case, replacing the charger for the accessory when using the wire. Moreover, the manufacturer announced the release of a case with a wireless charging function in 2019.
How do wireless headphones work for iPhone
How AirPods work is a question that still remains relevant.
How to connect
Before buying a modern accessory, you need to make sure the integrity of the basic kit: headphones, case, Lightning cable, standard documentation. The creators of the branded headset took care of their customers so much that they built in the headphones the function of automatically connecting to the device when the AirPods cover is opened. In the instantly appearing window on the Apple device’s screen, in addition to connection information, you can find information about the accessory’s charge level, which minimizes the risk of “unexpected” discharge of the headphones.
Principle of operation
After removing the headset from the case and independently connecting it to the paired device, the owner of the “apple” novelty can immediately start operation without additional actions. Each headphone has an infrared sensor that allows you to instantly activate their work when placing the accessory in your ears.
If you remove one of the headphones from your ear, playback will automatically pause, making using AirPods as comfortable as possible in everyday life.
On the right side of the device there is a motion accelerometer that responds to touch. To ensure thorough noise reduction and high-quality sound transmission, in particular speech, the manufacturer has provided for an additional voice accelerometer.
Key commands for AirPods require a light tapping on the headphones. For example, you need to knock on the sensor 2 times in order to accept or reject a call.
Without activating the smartphone itself, the user is also given the opportunity to call Siri (voice assistant for the iOS operating system) by similarly touching the sensor.
How to charge
The manufacturer declares the possibility of using AirPods continuously for 5 hours.The charging module provides an opportunity to increase the operating time of the accessory up to 24 hours. Engineers at the California corporation also provided an “emergency case” quick charge feature. Using it, after 15 minutes of finding the headphones in the case, you can continuously use the device for another 3 hours. The positive features of this device can also include the ability of the owner at any minute to check the battery level of the AirPods.
If you need to recharge the device, you just need to put the headphones in a case that saves a certain number of charge cycles and, accordingly, is able to provide a relatively long time for the accessory to work if it is not possible to fully charge the device (long trip, situation when traveling with a charging cable forgotten at home, etc. ) To recharge the case itself, you should use the cable included in the basic package from Apple. Having connected the cover to the power source, it is worth leaving it until the maximum charge level is reached, which can be tracked on the device previously synchronized with the headphones.
What are the innovations
The creators of the wireless headset on the iPhone 7 and 8th-generation smartphones presented innovative features to their product:
- Automatic, not requiring user participation, connection to the paired device.
- A unique case that can "send a signal" to a compatible device about the current charge of AirPods.
- The ability to charge headphones by placing them in a case and leaving them there for several hours.
- Headphone design, comfortable for daily use: tight fit in the ear, lack of discomfort due to the long operation of the device.
- The W1 processor provides the best sound transmission and maximum noise reduction when listening to music.
- The ability to use the functions of the headset without a paired smartphone nearby, minimally using your hands.
Advantages and disadvantages
Positive aspects of using AirPods:
- lack of wires, which ensures maximum comfort in long-term use of the device;
- high-quality sound transmission and high-level noise reduction;
- the unique design of the headphones themselves, which minimizes the discomfort during prolonged use;
- a large supply of battery capacity of the wireless headset, which has no analogues in its segment;
- automatic connection to other devices;
- the ability to synchronize between Apple accounts to simplify the process of using the device.
The downsides of owning AirPods are:
- high for the European market the cost of the "apple" product;
- excessive power consumption when used with another device, which is reflected in the rapid drop in the charge level of the device paired with AirPods;
- partial inaccessibility of the functions of a modern headset when working with Android devices;
- “Ill-conceived” exclusive properties, expressed, for example, in the need to unlock the iPhone before calling Siri tapping on a wireless device.
AirPods, like all electronic devices, has pros and cons, based, as a rule, on a subjective assessment. However, it is worthwhile to understand that when buying an “apple” bluetooth headset, the user acquires not just a branded accessory, but a high-quality device that can provide its owner with high-quality sound and comfortable use in the everyday life of a modern person.
