Apple's AirPods are now officially available to order after the wireless earbuds were expected to land in October.
Announced alongside the iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2 at Apple's keynote in September, the AirPods can be picked up for . from the Apple Store. Be warned though, shipping time is expected to take four weeks. So if you were hoping to give someone a pair for Christmas, we hope you have a backup plan.
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If you're still set on buying them for yourself, here are the details. There are no buttons to be seen (or felt). Double tapping on an AirPod will let you access Siri to select and control your music, change the volume and check your battery life.
Apple notes it can also be used to "perform any other Siri task" but so far, it's unclear what Siri can actually do in terms of in ear coaching - if it's even available - and what sorts of commands/queries Siri can handle.
Unlike the Bragi Dash, Samsung Gear IconX and Jabra Sport Elite wireless earbuds, the AirPods will not track your fitness. They do include a motion accelerometer and optical sensor to detect when the buds are in your ears.
Sitting alongside the sensors is the new Apple W1 chip which helps optimize the audio and battery performance. The accelerometer can also detect when you're talking, and focuses the mics on the sound of your voice to filter out external noises to enhance call quality.
Additionally, removing a pod automatically pauses the music, while inserting it back in your ear resumes where you've left off.
The ultra-low power chip uses one-third of the power of traditional wireless chips, meaning the AirPods can last up to five hours of listening time on one charge. The charging case can also hold additional charges, for more than 24 hours of total listening time.
Your devices must be running iOS 10, watchOS 3 or macOS Sierra, which means the AirPods likely work best with Apple devices.
Are you planning on buying a pair of AirPods? Let us know your comments in the section below.
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