These AirPods Pro are full-strength. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Pick up a pair of brand-new and awesome AirPods Pro today to enjoy $21.01 off the usual price. It’s the biggest discount yet from Amazon, reducing the price of Apple’s high-end wireless buds to just $227.99 with shipping.
Your next classic AirPods could be made in Vietnam. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
The coronavirus and its aftermath appear to be taking a toll on manufacturing of updated AirPods, with a new report indicating an update to Apple’s popular earbuds will be delayed slightly and roll into the first quarter of 2021.
The Nikkei Asian Review also reported Friday sources as saying around 30% of all classic AirPods to be produced this quarter for Apple will be “made in Vietnam”. That the report said is “a sign the company is accelerating its diversification of production out of China amid the coronavirus pandemic.”
3 potential fixes recommended by Apple. GIF: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Apple has finally acknowledged that some AirPods Pro units can produce “cracking or static sounds” while in use. If you’re experiencing these issues, there are some things you can try that might help eliminate them.
Many are pinning hopes for AirPods Pro noise cancellation improvements on a new firmware update. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Apple introduced a firmware update for AirPods Pro on Tuesday. There’s no word yet on what this does, but many users of these truly-wireless headphones hope it improves active noise cancellation.
They won't last long! Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
There couldn’t be a better time to treat yourself to a pair of Apple’s amazing wireless buds. Both second-generation AirPods and AirPods Pro are on sale right now, with some of the biggest discounts we’ve seen so far.
That means a lengthy wait for your next upgrade. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple’s third-generation AirPods will enter mass-production during the first half of 2021 ahead of a release next year, according to one reliable analyst on Thursday.
Apple hopes the refresh will save falling demand for second-generation AirPods. Its next AirPods Pro units won’t enter mass-production until the fourth-quarter of next year at the earliest.
AirPods Pro are the perfect work-from-home companions. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
For many of us, working from home is the new normal. That’s a mixed bag — more comfortable, no commute, but it’s also harder to stay focused, and distractions abound. So we’ve discovered an unexpected ally in the fight for productivity at home: AirPods Pro.
There might be no new AirPods Pro until next year. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Sources in Apple’s supply chain reportedly indicate that that the next AirPods Pro won‘t be out until later this year, or perhaps 2021. This contradicts other reports that the company could introduce new wireless earbuds as early as next month.
Getting AirPods Pro replacement ear tips is now as simple as visiting the Apple Store. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Getting replacement ear tips for AirPods Pro just got whole lot easier. On Wednesday, these went up for sale on the Apple Store, and can be ordered like any other product.
And save $140 on Beats Solo3 wireless headphones. Photos: Apple, EA
Need a new MacBook Pro? You won’t want to miss Woot’s brilliant deal on 13-inch models, refurbished by Apple, which are now available for as little as $679.99. Or pick up the brand-new 2020 Mac mini from $699 — $100 off its usual price tag.
That’s just some of the awesome offers in today’s Deals & Steals roundup that will help you tackle self-isolation and working from home during the COVID-19 crisis. Other highlights include:
Almost exactly like Powerbeats Pro, only $100 cheaper. Photo: Apple
Apple on Tuesday made its new Beats Powerbeats headphones official after a series of big leaks. The $149 wireless buds pack the same technology as Powerbeats Pro, including the newest H1 chip, and last up to 15 hours in between charges.
More consumers are making the leap to wearable technology. Photo: Apple
Apple doesn’t just hold a lead over its competitors in the wearables market. It captured a 36.5 percent share of the market in the final quarter of 2019.
Second-place Xiaomi’s slice of the pie was under 11 percent.
Sennheiser’s new Momentum True Wireless 2 earbuds are ready to take on AirPods Pro with better battery life and active noise cancellation. They follow the highly rated True Wireless headphones that debuted in 2018, and despite some big improvements, they retain the same $299 price tag.
Switching listening modes takes just a click. Photo: Apple
Apple dropped its newest AirPods Pro ad on Wednesday, showcasing the biggest selling point of its newest wireless buds. “Snap” uses busy streets and crazy dancing to demonstrate how effective noise cancellation can be.
Made from military-grade materials, the Elkson bumper keeps AirPods Pro free from scuffs and scratches. It also has a handy carabiner that lets you attach your beloved buds to almost anything.
AirPods Pro Lite might look like Apple’s high-end wireless earbuds, or the basic AirPods. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Apple’s next AirPods go into production very soon, according to an unconfirmed report coming out of Asia. These are the wireless headphones that are typically referred to as AirPods Pro Lite, though they are unlikely to have that name when released.
AirPods Pro can be used for science. SCIENCE! Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Apple Research, an application that lets users take part in groundbreaking medical studies, scored an update today to let participants share data from their AirPods Pro with the Apple Hearing Study. A new version of the associated Apple Watch app also promises battery life improvements.
These AirPods Pro are full-strength. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Tossed into the swirl of rumors and reports about coronavirus and its impact on Apple production is an alleged new entry to the AirPods lineup called “AirPods Pro Lite.”
The quotes bookending the product name are because no one is sure what to make of what is essentially a rumor first reported by a Chinese website with a mixed record for accuracy.
In the last few days, reports have surfaced in DigiTimes of a second “lite” version supplier, giving further credence to the various reports.
AirPods Pro supplies were constrained months before the coronavirus outbreak in China. Tim Cook told investors that he couldn’t predict when production would finally catch up, but a new report gives some encouraging signs that things could get back to normal soon.
These are some of the best looking headphones we've seen. Photo: Marshall
Marshall’s best over-the-ear headphones finally gained active noise cancellation (ANC) with a big update that pushes the vintage-inspired cans into the modern age.
The new Monitor II ANC headphones were revealed by Marshall this morning and along with adding ANC to put them on par with AirPods Pro, the headphones also have a nifty multi-directional control knob that lets you easily control music and phone functions without touching your phone.
We're still very much in the dark. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
We could be waiting longer for the mysterious “AirPods Pro Lite” headphones Apple is rumored to be developing. A new report claims production will not begin during the second half of 2020 as originally planned.
AirPods Pro and Transparency Mode make for fine hearing aids. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Apple could be planning to introduce more affordable AirPods Pro buds. A new report claims Cupertino is in talks with suppliers in Taiwan over “AirPods Pro Lite,” which are expected to debut later this year.
It is believed Apple is also planning to shift production of other devices — including iPad, Apple Watch, and iMac — to Taiwan as the coronavirus epidemic continues to cause problems in China.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus are going to have to compete against AirPods Pro without a really popular feature. Photo: Samsung
Samsung today unpacked Galaxy Buds Plus, its answer to Apple’s top-selling AirPods. The Korean company’s latest truly wireless headphones offer better sound quality and longer battery life. But they lack the hallmark feature of AirPods Pro: active noise cancellation.