Apple is expected to introduce its much-anticipated AirPods redesign alongside the next-generation iPhone lineup later this year. The new buds could look a lot like AirPods Pro, but without features like noise cancellation.
OnePlus Buds Pro will feature active noise cancellation and support for Dolby Atmos. Photo: OnePlus
OnePlus is rolling out another Apple-esque product at a lower price point — a new set of Buds Pro that improve on its original Buds with active noise cancellation (ANC) and some upgraded audio features. They look a lot like Airpods Pro, actually, except with silver stems rather than white ones.
Note the cool-looking keyboard cover on the MaBook pro at left. Photo: [email protected]
When a computer setup is as clean and spare as Redditor whatsyourname’s, the eye tends to go to the most unusual item. In this case, it’s probably the colorful keyboard cover on the MacBook Pro, making it look like some other model of laptop.
And, of course, what did commenters most want to talk about in the setup? That thing. Naturally, a little bit of a debate ensued. Should you use a keyboard cover on a MacBook at all?
Grab Apple's first AirPods Pro beta today. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple this week seeded its first AirPods Pro beta firmware for registered developers. This version enables a number of new features, including Ambient Noise Reduction and spatial audio for FaceTime calls.
You can stand your Mac mini vertically or mount it behind the monitor or under the desk. Photo: [email protected]
Redditor mnsl0826 decided to save some space by standing up his M1 Mac mini vertically at the base of his monitor, rather than laying it flat. It worked for him, but posting about it on Reddit generated heaps of concern about whether you’re supposed to do that.
Breaking up is hard and painful, unless you’re an AirPod. They’re far from loyal, and they will leave you any time and anywhere. That’s why you need Elago’s awesome EarHooks.
EarHooks prevent an ugly breakup by ensuring AirPods and AirPods Pro always stay in your ear — whether you’re working out or squeezing onto a busy train. And you can get yours today from just $10.99.
Edifier Neobud Pro high-res, wireless, noise-cancelling earbuds are coming soon. Photo: Edifier
Beijing-based Edifier built a reputation for producing high-quality speakers and headphones. Now, with the upcoming release of its Neobuds Pro hi-res, wireless, noise-canceling earbuds, it looks hungry to capture market share from top contenders like Apple’s AirPods Pro and Sony’s new WF-100XM4.
Apple’s new Beats Studio Buds are helping to offset a recent decline in headphones sales before an “innovative” health-tracking AirPods Pro upgrade arrives next year, according to one reliable analyst.
AirPods shipments could fall to just 70-75 million units for 2021, warns TF International Securities’ Ming-Chi Kuo. But Apple’s total headphones shipments could jump to more than 100 million units in 2022.
There’s better than usual sale on AirPods Pro. And AirPods 2, as well. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
AirPods are truly outstanding headphones, especially for iPhone users. They aren‘t cheap, though. But it’s Amazon’s annual Prime Day, and both AirPods and AirPods Pro are on sale for 25% below the regular price. That’s as much as $60 off.
And there are smaller savings on the recently released AirPods Max.
Enter to win a dream setup that will thrill any Apple fan. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Want another bite out of Apple? Of course you do. While Apple alternatives come in at better price points, there’s a reason why the brand has so many steadfast loyalists. There’s simply nothing quite like Apple products.
That’s why this Apple bundle giveaway is as awesome as it claims to be. For a limited time, you can purchase entries to win an iMac, iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, AirPods Pro and a bevy of Apple subscriptions, all while donating to a benevolent charity. With products valued at a grand total of $5,743, this is a bundle giveaway that you definitely don’t want to miss.
Conversation Boost in iOS 15 lets AirPods enhance the audio in face-to-face communication. Screenshot: Apple
iOS 15 will bring a range of improvements to AirPods. Apple’s wireless headphones will get easier to find, and they can fill in as hearing aids in noisy environments. And Apple plans another tweak or two as well.
A new house calls for a first-time home office with an ultrawide monitor and plenty of toys. Photo: StevenJ95
Redditor StevenJ95 recently moved from an apartment to a house, allowing him to have a new home office. For the first time. He’s got room enough in there for his MacBook Pro, his Samsung curved ultrawide monitor and even his Tesla Model S, Cybertruck and Supercharger.
OK, those last three are two diecast model cars and a cute little desktop Tesla charger for phones and such. But he does have a real Tesla Model 3 — which he sensibly parks elsewhere — as well as a lot of enthusiasm for the brand, judging by how he decorates his setup.
But you'll have to wait until 2022 to get your hands on them. Photo: Apple
Apple’s next-gen AirPods Pro will feature updated motion sensors for fitness tracking and arrive in 2022, according to a Bloomberg report Friday.
This would be in keeping with Apple’s increasing focus on the fitness and wellness field, both with Apple Watch and its Fitness+ subscription service. AirPods Pro made their debut in October 2019, and have not been updated since.
Perhaps AirPods will be able to play Apple Music’s new lossless option. Photo: Apple
There’s hope for AirPods users unhappy that the new Apple Music lossless option won’t work on their wireless headphones. Tipster Jon Prosser said on Wednesday that Apple will introduce a software update that will allow the earbuds to play lossless audio. Supposedly, AirPlay and Wi-Fi are just waiting to be enabled in AirPods.
AirPods Max have a lot to offer, but not the upcoming Apple Music lossless option. Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac
Apple Music fans who are super-excited about the just-announced lossless audio option should be aware that it won’t work with AirPods or HomePod. Not even the $549AirPods Max.
But Apple’s headphones and smart speaker do support Spatial Audio for songs mixed in Dolby Atmos, another new feature of Apple Music.
This artfully executed setup is supposedly in someone's home, not a design museum. Photo: diotav@Reddit
It’s only Monday, but Dutch videographer, designer and web production artist Dion Tavenier probably wins this week’s award for setup design. Cool, spare, architectural — get the Museum of Modern Setups on the phone!
If only there was such a museum. Or such an award.
The quick and simply way to toggle noise cancellation and Transparency. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
We want to help you master Control Center, one of the most powerful and underutilized features on Apple devices. Cult of Mac’sControl Center Pro Tips series will show you how to make the most of this useful toolbox on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac.
Switching between different AirPods audio modes is simple with Control Center on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You can activate or deactivate Transparency and active noise cancellation in just a couple of taps.
Make it easier to hear other people in a crowded room. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
We want to help you master Control Center, one of the most powerful and underutilized features on Apple devices. Cult of Mac’sControl Center Pro Tips series will show you how to make the most of this useful toolbox on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac.
Activate Live Listen for AirPods and Powerbeats headphones inside Control Center to make it easier to hear other people in a noisy environment. The feature is built into iPhone and iPad and easy to use.
This handy power bank provides up to 75 hours of extra juice for your iPhone and AirPods. Photo: Chargeworx
AirPods are convenient for a number of reasons: They’re small, sleek and easy to move around with, making them perfect for everything from morning runs to important conference calls. But there is one problem with these nifty wireless earbuds. Because there’s no wired connection, they’ll need to be sufficiently charged at all times.
That’s what makes this 10,000mAh ChargeWorx power bank even more convenient than wireless earbuds. It can charge your smartphone and AirPods at the same time. Available in sizes for regular AirPods and AirPods Pro, this multitasking power bank can power you through outdoor adventures all summer long for the incredibly low price of $41.99.
The Cardlax EarBuds Washer is an honest-to-god real product. You might even want one. Photo: Cardlax Team
Cleaning AirPods is kind of a disgusting job, but Cardlax has a solution. It’s an itty-bitty washing machine to clean the crud off your earbuds in a couple of minutes.
Before you ask, April Fools’ Day was last week. This is a real thing.
Every AirPods owner needs an AirFly Pro. Photo: Twelve South
AirPods might be one of the best accessories Apple has ever made. But there’s a quick and easy way to make them even better: Pair yours with the AirFly Pro from Twelve South.
This second-generation dongle lets you connect your AirPods or AirPods Pro to almost anything. It has better battery life than its predecessor, and supports two pairs of headphones simultaneously.
UPDATE 2: Woot has sold out of AirPods Pro refurbs now, too. But it is still offering regular AirPods (second-generation) at an all-time low of $99.99.
Best Buy’s 24-hour Flash Sale offers certified-refurbished AirPods Pro units for just $159.99 today only. That’s a whopping $90 discount and the lowest price we’ve seen on AirPods Pro so far.
Take your pick of some of the best AirPods Pro alternatives out there. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Like most Apple fans, you’re probably disappointed that the rumored March 23 date for Apple’s upcoming event might have been a ploy to uncover leakers within the company. If you were eagerly awaiting big news about new products and redesigns, it looks like you’ll be waiting until April.
But perhaps a hot deal on top-rated Bluetooth headphones will satisfy your feelings of rejection. For your convenience, we rounded up the 11 best AirPods Pro alternatives that won’t break the bank.