Mobile menu toggle

AirPods - page 17

How to prevent AirPods from automatically switching to different devices

By

AirPods-Pro-how-to
Take care of switching manually like you used to.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple recently gave AirPods and AirPods Pro the ability to automatically switch between different devices depending on what you’re doing. Sometimes the feature is useful, but other times it’s really frustrating.

You may have noticed it after updating to iOS 14 on your iPhone or iPadOS 14 on your iPad. The good news is, it’s possible to disable the feature and take care of switching yourself.

We’ll show you how.

Leaks give us first uninspiring look at AirPods Studio headphones

By

AirPods Studio will apparently look much like this.
Apple’s is prepping a pair of over-the-ear headphones, possibly as part of phasing out its Beats brand.
Render: Jon Prosser/cconceptcreator

After months of near quiet, a images and even video leaked out supposedly showing Apple’s first over-the-ears headphones, possibly called AirPods Studio.

If real, these show the headphones will have a squarish design, with curved edges and corners.

‘Counterfeit AirPods’ seized by Customs were actually OnePlus Buds [Updated]

By

OnePlus Buds image
Illegal knockoffs?
Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Update: In an intriguing twist, U.S. Customs is insisting that it meant to seize the OnePlus Buds. In a statement to The Verge it said that they appear to “violate Apple’s configuration trademark.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently sprung into action to intercept a collection of AirPods knockoffs arriving at JFK International Airport. Had the “merchandise [been] genuine,” the shipment would have been worth $398,000.

“The interception of these counterfeit earbuds is a direct reflection of the vigilance and commitment to mission success by our CBP Officers daily,” said Troy Miller, Director of CBP’s New York Field Operations.

The only problem? They weren’t counterfeit products at all — but rather the distinctly AirPods-looking OnePlus Buds.

Save on awesome iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods accessories in our big back-to-school sale

By

CoM Back to School iPhone accessories sale
Bands, stands, cases, and more at up to 72% off.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The Cult of Mac Store’s big back-to-school sale kicks off today with sweet discounts on awesome iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods and Mac accessories from Elago, Just Mobile, Mujjo and Twelve South.

Save up to 72% on brilliant bands, stands, cases, and more, with prices starting at a mere $9.95. The discounts are good for a limited time only, so enjoy them while you can!

This sweet mousepad doubles as a wireless iPhone charger

By

Gazepad-Pro
The Gazepad Pro is pretty and practical.
Photo: Wiplabs

It’s time to trade your tatty old mousepad for one that’s fit for 2020. The Gazepad Pro from Wiplabs is brilliantly designed, beautifully made, and doubles as a fast wireless charging pad for your iPhone.

Get yours now in one of four fancy color options for less than you might think.

Bag AirPods Pro at a brand-new low of just $194.99 today only

By

AirPods Pro with black background discounts
Don't miss out!
Photo: Apple

Best Buy is offering certified refurbished AirPods Pro units for just $194.99 today only. That’s $55 off the regular selling price, with free shipping and a 90-day Best Buy warranty.

Get yours before they’re all gone!

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Apple could keep us waiting until 2021 for AirPods upgrades

By

AirPods Pro with black background discounts
AirPods and AirPods Pro will get their next update next year.
Photo: Apple

People waiting to get their hands on next-generation AirPods will be waiting until 2021, a report published by Digitimes on Wednesday suggests.

It claims that Apple will launch its third-gen AirPods in the first half of 2021, before introducing the next-gen AirPods Pro in the second part of the year. Apple last updated its regular AirPods line in March 2019, while the AirPods Pro were released in October 2019.

Save a ton on iPad and Mac in B&H Photo’s huge Back to School sale

By

Back to School sale on iPad, Mac
Enjoy the discounts before they disappear.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

B&H Photo this week kicked off its Back to School sale on Apple products, offering customers big discounts on iPad, Mac, and more.

You can save up to $500 on last year’s 13-inch MacBook Pro, up to $300 on a 16-inch MacBook Pro, and up to $535 on a 2018 iPad Pro. There are also some sweet discounts on Apple Watch and AirPods.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Next-gen AirPods will take a page out of AirPods Pro design playbook

By

AirPods Pro with black background discounts
Apple will ditch its original AirPods design completely with the next-gen model.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s third-gen AirPods will boast a design and compact system-in-package (SiP) solution similar to AirPods Pro, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims in his latest research note to clients.

Kuo suggests that the next-generation wireless earbuds will arrive in the first half of 2021. That would be approximately 18 months after Apple debuted the AirPods Pro design in 2019.

We rave about iOS 14’s best ‘secret’ features on The CultCast

By

CultCast 442: AirPods with health sensors
Get a second shot of WWDC 2020 talk in this week's podcast.
Image: The CultCast

WWDC 2020 This week on The CultCast: We bring you a huge list of great iOS 14 features that Apple did not mention onstage during this week’s WWDC keynote, and there’s a lot here to love.

Plus: Why iOS 14’s new Home screen widgets aren’t as powerful as you might think. And get ready to log into websites with Face ID or Touch ID.

Today’s episode is supported by CleanMyMac X, an all-in-one utility that takes care of your Mac’s health: It’s a macOS cleaner, a performance monitor, a malware remover and, occasionally, a lifesaver. And until July 5th, you can go to macpaw.com/cultofmac to get CleanMyMac X with a 30% discount.

The best hidden features in iOS and iPadOS 14

By

Best hidden features in iOS 14
There's a lot more to discover in iOS 14.
Photo: Apple

WWDC 2020Apple showcased some major changes and improvements for iOS 14 during its big WWDC 2020 keynote on Monday — and it was just the tip of the iceberg. There’s so much more that we didn’t get to see.

We’re now discovering what some of those things are, thanks to the first beta release, which is already available to registered developers. Here are our picks for the best hidden features in iOS 14.

Save $19 on AirPods Pro and get set for stunning spatial sound

By

AirPods Pro with black background discounts
Or save $39 on renewed models.
Photo: Apple

Apple just rolled out an AirPods Pro update that makes noise cancellation even better, and soon, its tiny buds will get another upgrade that adds amazing spatial sound. Don’t already have your own? Change that today.

Pick up AirPods Pro on Amazon and enjoy $19.01 off the usual price — one of the biggest discounts yet — or opt for a renewed pair and save $39.05.

Apple dominates the competition among wireless headphone customers

By

Earphones research
Apple has a whole lot of brand awareness among customers.
Photo: Counterpoint Research

A survey of customers in the UK hammers home Apple’s dominance when it comes to wireless in-ear headphones. According to a report by Counterpoint Research, 63% of respondents named Apple as a preferred brand when picking their next wireless in-ear headphones.

Apple trounced the competition that included Bose, Sony, the Apple-owned Beats, Samsung and others. While respondents were able to name multiple brands, the quantity of people who mentioned Apple makes clear just how much of a name Apple has carved out for itself in this market.

Is noise cancellation fixed in latest AirPods Pro firmware? Nobody knows.

By

Apple reportedly adding another supplier for its ultra-popular AirPods Pro
AirPods Pro users can't agree whether active noise cancellation is fixed by the latest firmware update.
Photo: Apple

Apple updated AirPods Pro to firmware version 2D27 on Tuesday. Users of these truly wireless headphones have since had a chance to install it, but there’s no consensus about whether it makes active noise cancellation as good as it was when this product first launched.

iOS 14 warns you exactly how loud your AirPods are

By

iOS 14 looks out for your hearing
Find out if the song you’re listening to is permanently damaging your hearing with an iOS 14 Control Center feature.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

WWDC 2020 Listening to music on AirPods at too high a volume can damage your hearing. As a reminder of this, iOS 14 offers an optional icon in the Control Center to show just how loudly the song is playing on a connected pair of AirPods or earbuds at that moment. And it measure the sound pressure down to the exact decibel.