Retail News CRM

Tag: earbuds

  • Apple seeks patent on automatic transparency mode for AirPods Pro

    Apple seeks patent on automatic transparency mode for AirPods Pro

    According to TF International’s highly reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the AirPods Pro 2 True Wireless Stereo earbuds should be released later this year, perhaps during the third quarter. The major difference between your average garden variety pair of AirPods and the premium-priced Pro model is the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC); the latter prevents ambient noise from getting mixed in with the streaming content heard via the Bluetooth-powered earbuds.

    But just in case you need to hear what’s happening in the background while streaming music to your AirPods Pro, transparency mode will allow you to hear a car honking to alert you to get out of the way, a police siren in case you’re being pulled over, or a friendly “hello” from a pal who has spotted you walking on the street. The problem with turning on the transparency mode is that it allows all background noise regardless of what it is.>

    But what if you could choose which sounds make it through to you via the transparency mode? That could improve your enjoyment of using the AirPods Pro knowing that the transparency mode will remain off until someone you selected is trying to talk to you, or an event takes place that needs your immediate action.

    Apple has filed a patent application titled “Interrupt for noise-canceling audio devices” that details a more selective method of letting in outside noise to be heard through your AirPods Pro. With the technology discussed in the patent application, a user will be able to determine in advance who is allowed to break through the ANC. As Apple states in the documentation, “For example, the user may desire to be interrupted by one or more pre-designated contacts that are identified at an associated electronic device as interrupt-authorized contacts, or by a person who speaks a designated keyword to the user.”

    In other words, the Active Noise Cancellation would remain in effect until people authorized by the user start talking. The voice of the other person could be recognized, or that person’s name could be mentioned by the user, or both the user and the contact could devise a specific password that would flip on transparency mode.

    The patent also notes that the user can train the system to recognize certain important sounds that you would want to hear right away “such as police or ambulance sirens, or smoke or fire alarms.” It is like having transparency mode set on “automatic.”

    There are other differences between the AirPods and AirPods Pro besides the latter offering ANC. For example, the “Pro” variant includes the ability for the user to enjoy a customizable fit. Ironically, the third-generation AirPods offer longer battery life than the AirPods Pro but we expect that to change with the AirPods Pro 2. We also could see the new premium version of the earbuds feature a new design, possibly dropping the iconic and recognizable stem from the device. This might make the AirPods Pro 2 look like some of the earbuds manufactured by competitors’s not to mention Apple’s own Beats Fit Pro.

    Other possible changes for the AirPods Pro 2 include the addition of new sensors that will allow the device to perform some type of fitness tracking. Also expected is a new chip that will make it easier for the wearables to connect with other devices. And Apple is reportedly looking at a way to use the AirPods Pro 2 as a device to measure certain health metrics just as the Apple Watch now does.

    The patent application was originally filed by Apple with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) last July.

  • Apple has just killed off the last Beats-branded speaker

    Apple has just killed off the last Beats-branded speaker

    After discontinuing the Beats Powerbeats wireless earbuds, Beats EP wired on-ear headphones, and high-end Beats Solo Pro wireless on-ear headphones just a couple of months ago, Apple appears to have also pulled the Beats Pill+ plug more recently.

    This was of course a long time coming, as the portable Bluetooth speaker made its commercial debut all the way back in 2015, but seeing the $229 product officially and permanently going away is still notable for a number of different reasons.

    First and foremost, as you can easily notice, the disappearance of the Pill Plus leaves both the official Beats website and Apple’s own US e-store without a single Beats-branded speaker option. This bad boy was also the first of its kind to see daylight after the Dre-founded company was acquired by the Cupertino-based tech giant in 2014 in exchange for a whopping $3 billion.

    That highlights the minimal attention Apple gave its audio-focused subsidiary all these years, at least on the surface. Of course, the Beats name was at one point rumored to go extinct altogether for marketing purposes, which hasn’t yet happened and is unlikely to happen anytime soon given that the true wireless Studio Buds and Fit Pro earbuds are still under a year old.

    The only speaker Apple is selling at the time of this writing is the in-house $99 HomePod Mini, which features significantly more advanced technology than the Beats Pill+ in a few key departments while forcing its users to hug a wall at all times.

    If that sounds too inconvenient, you might be happy to know the fully portable battery-powered Pill Plus is still available (in presumably limited numbers) from major US retailers like Walmart or Target at or around its original list price.

    Then again, our complete roundup of the best portable Bluetooth speakers money can buy includes several great alternatives at comparable or lower prices, all of which are alive, kicking, and younger than Apple’s Beats Pill+.

  • Apple to open Beats Powerbeats Pro Orders

    Apple to open Beats Powerbeats Pro Orders

    Unveiled early this month, the Beats Powerbeats Pro earphones will make their debut on the market in May. However, Apple didn’t say when exactly customers will be able to purchase the earphones, but it did confirm they will be available for $250.

    The Powerbeats Pro will be up for pre-order in the United States and Canada starting May 3 for the price mentioned above. Also, those who want to wait get the earphones directly from the stores will be able to do so beginning May 10.

    Apple also announced that only the Powerbeats Pro in Black will be available for purchase in May, while the Ivory, Moss and Navy will go on sale “this summer.” Of course, price and specs remain the same for all color options.

    Speaking of specs, the Powerbeats Pro are equipped with the same Apple H1 chipset that comes inside the AirPods 2 and offers up to 9 hours of battery life (charge 5 minutes for up to 1.5 hours of battery life). They’re sweat and water resistant, and feature full “Hey Siri” support on iOS devices, as well as voice capability with the push of a button.

    The earphones come with charging case and a lightning to USB-A charging cable. You’ll also notice that the earphones feature volume and track controls on each earbud so you can play both sides on just one at a time.

    Lees ook:

  • Microsoft said to be prepping its own AirPods challenger

    Microsoft said to be prepping its own AirPods challenger

    We know that Amazon is working on a pair of wireless earbuds that are supposed to offer better sound at a cheaper cost than Apple’s very popular AirPods. Now, according to Thurrott, it appears that Microsoft will also take a shot at Apple’s AirPods with its own wireless earbuds that could be named Surface Buds. This information comes from sources familiar with the company’s plans. Just as Apple’s AirPods come with Siri integration, and Amazon’s earbuds will be equipped with the Alexa virtual assistant, the Surface Buds will feature Cortana.

    The project has the code name of Morrison, possibly named after the late Jim Morrison who was the lead singer for The Doors. This won’t be the first set of earbuds to be released by the company. Back when Microsoft sold its Zune music player (its Apple iPod competitor), it sold wired earbuds as an accessory for users of the device. Besides being equipped with Cortana, the Surface Buds are expected to feature noise cancellation and technology that will allow users to more easily read content from their phones. We would expect the product to be compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

    If Microsoft is on the ball, it will have the Surface Buds available in time for the holiday shopping season. Besides Apple’s AirPods and Amazon’s upcoming earbuds, Microsoft will also be competing with the recently launched Samsung Galaxy Buds.

    Lees ook:

  • Apple’s manufacturers gearing up production of new iPad and AirPods hardware

    Apple’s manufacturers gearing up production of new iPad and AirPods hardware

    Apple’s March 25 event is around the corner and naturally, rumors about it are abundant. The event is expected to be focused on new services but its almost inevitable that there will be a hardware release or two, even if there won’t be any dedicated time for them during the presentations. The latest news coming from distant Taiwan seems to confirm that. Some of Apple’s part suppliers are preparing to ramp up production of components for new products.

    Flexium Interconnect and Zhen Ding Technology are manufacturers of flexible PCB (printed circuit boards) that are reportedly starting production of PCBs for a new iPad model. Rumors are that Apple is going to refresh its iPad Mini. The last model of the line came out in 2015, so it’s long overdue for an overhaul. The revamp is expected to be primarily internal, however, so expect a familiar looking iPad with a more powerful chip.

    Both part suppliers are also providing components for the current line of iPhones. The release of a new iPad comes as a blessing for them since both saw their orders reduced after demand for the iPhones was weaker than anticipated.

    At the same time, two other companies, Compeq Manufacturing and Unitech PCB, are now working on rigid-flex boards for the yet unannounced AirPods, according to sources within the industry. Tech insiders are still divided whether Apple is going to introduce the AirPods 2, or a less meaningful refresh of its popular earbuds that may consist only of a new wireless-charging case.

    If Apple does indeed announce new hardware products on March 25, preorders will likely begin either on the same day or within a week. If you’ve been itching for a new Apple gadget for a while, the time has almost come!