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AirPods - page 23

Stand+Dock brings iPhone, AirPods together for tidy charging [Review]

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Zens-Stand-Dock-white
A spectacularly simple charging solution.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Clear the clutter on your bedside table with the Zens Stand+Dock. This stunning charger tops up iPhone and AirPods simultaneously and eliminates messy cables that are forever in your way.

A built-in USB port on its base also allows you to charge a third device — like your Apple Watch. And with up to 20W of power output, there’s more than enough to go around.

Here’s why we love the Zens Stand+Dock.

Microsoft’s new Surface Earbuds are unbelievably fugly

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Surface Earbuds
Does anyone actually think these look good?
Photo: Microsoft

When Apple unveiled the AirPods in 2016, the first thing I thought was how dorky they looked with that long stem and no wires.

Fast-forward three years, and you know what looks dorky? Wearing wired earbuds like a dang peasant!

I only mention this to show that I am obviously not the best at predicting what kind of gadgets will look too nerdy to go mainstream. But when Microsoft unveiled its new Surface Earbuds today, it’s a pretty safe bet to say they’re so ugly not even nerds will love them.

These $12 AirPods knockoffs don’t actually play any music

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$12 AirPods jewellery
The AirPods have a longer stem so they can receive even, err, less sound.
Photo: Asos

Would you buy a pair of AirPods knockoffs that don’t actually play any sound? It sounds crazy (and, frankly, it is), but that’s exactly what one company is selling; cashing in on the fashionable status of Apple’s wireless earbuds.

Fashion e-tailer Asos is selling the $12 “faux headphone earpiece in silver tone” as a piece of jewellery. Because it’s 2019 and this is what people do.

Amazon exec promoting new Echo Buds wears AirPods during TV interview

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Amazon exec wears AirPods during an interview.
Wait a second, those aren't Echo Buds!
Screenshot: John Paczkowski/Bloomberg

Here’s a top tip: If your job involves promoting hardware that is not made by Apple, do not use an Apple device in public.

It sounds easy, right? As it turns out, it’s pretty darn difficult. And it’s a problem suffered by many, many people who are likely way above your pay grade. The latest example? Amazon exec Dave Limp, who yesterday gave an interview promoting Amazon’s new wireless Echo Buds. While wearing Apple’s AirPods, of course.

There’s a fun AirPods Easter egg at Apple’s Fifth Avenue store

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AirPods wall display is on show in New York.
AirPods are part of a fun nod to Apple's history.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

An AirPods-based wall display at Apple’s recently re-opened Fifth Avenue Apple Store features a cool Easter egg for long-time fans.

The Easter egg features Apple’s ultra popular AirPods being used as notes in a piece of sheet music. The music represented is from Apple’s iconic “Here’s to the Crazy Ones” ad campaign, which ran shortly after Steve Jobs’ return in the late 1990s.

How to use iOS 13’s Audio Sharing

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Audio sharing in iOS 13
Look how friendly these people are. Just look.
Photo: Apple

In iOS 13, you can share songs and watch movies with a friend, with each of you using your own AirPods. The new feature is called Audio Sharing, and it lets you instantly — and temporarily — pair a second set of AirPods to your iPhone or iPad. It’s like the olde schoole method of using a headphone splitter to plug two sets of headphones into one jack socket, only way more expensive and fancy.

Here’s how to use it.

This do-it-all wireless charger is the perfect AirPower alternative

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Xvida-Triple-Charger
Who needs AirPower?
Photo: Xvida

Apple couldn’t deliver AirPower for reasons we’re still not completely sure of, but others have been able to pull off the seemingly impossible. One of those is Xvida with its terrific do-it-all wireless charging pad.

The Triple Power Magnetic Wireless Charger tops up your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously. And it’s available to order today at a surprinsingly sweet price.

Save on essential AirPods accessories from Twelve South

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A gorgeous leather case armors your new AirPods 2 against theft, damage, and debris.
AirSnap keeps your AirPods protected at all times.
Photo: Twelve South

Pick up two essential AirPods accessories from Twelve South this Labor Day weekend and save big with the Cult of Mac Watch Store.

You’ll save $9 when you buy both the AirSnap case and AirFly wireless adapter together. You can also enjoy a rare 20% off the rest of the Twelve South lineup until September 4.

Enjoy huge Labor Day savings on iPad [Deals & Steals]

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DS-Aug-27-19
Get a cheap iPad upgrade while you can!
Photo: Apple, Carterjett

Amazon’s big discounts on the latest 9.7-inch iPad are back for Labor Day. You can enjoy up to $100 off the usual list prices for a limited time, with prices starting at just $249. You can also save a whopping $400 on the 2018 iPad Pro lineup.

You will also find 40% off official Apple Lightning cables, and 20% off all Caterjett bands for Apple Watch in today’s Deals & Steals roundup. Plus, you can pick up Anker’s excellent wireless charging pad for iPhone for under $13.50.

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

Expert jeweler transforms regular AirPods into 18K gold luxury versions

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18K AirPods transformation
Don't even think about losing them.
Screenshot: Pablo Cimadevila

Because Apple devices aren’t already pricey or luxurious-looking enough, there’s no shortage of jewelers lining up to daub them with bling for the way-too-much-money-with-nothing-to-spend-it-on set.

But it’s not every day that we actually get to see these transformations in action. Fortunately, skilled YouTube jeweler Pablo Cimadevila has stepped into the breach with a new video. It shows how he took regular AirPods and turned them into 18K gold versions. Check it out:

See just how fun AirPods cases can be

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AirPods cases
Your AirPods case doesn’t have to stay plain white.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple Korea created a video to demonstrate some unusual ways to fancy up AirPods charging cases. Many people decorate their Mac and iPhone, and pick a stylish Apple Watch band too. Why leave this AirPods accessory plain white?

Watch the video now:

Best new (and returning) features in iOS 13.1 beta 1

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iOS 13.1 beta 1 adds Books reading goal, brings back almost every feature dropped in previous betas.
iOS 13.1 beta 1 brings back almost every cool feature dropped from previous betas.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Surprisingly, iOS 13.1 is already in beta. It looks like Apple’s release strategy this year is to freeze the current beta version of iOS 13.0 in order to get it ready for the new iPhones expected on September 10. Meanwhile, Apple continues to test the next version, adding back some features removed during the beta period — Shortcuts automations, for example.

So, what other new (or revived) features will you find in iOS 13.1 beta 1?

Consumer Reports says AirPods ‘just don’t sound great’

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AirPods wall display is on show in New York.
AirPods aren't good enough to get Consumer Reports' official recommendation.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s AirPods are some of the top-selling earphones of all time. But according to Consumer Reports, they have a problem: “They just don’t sound great.”

In a series of tests, the consumer testing group pits the second-gen AirPods against Samsung’s Galaxy Buds. And, spoiler alert, their conclusions don’t come down in Cupertino’s favor.

Bento Stack keeps your essentials neatly organized on the go

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bento
Bento Stack is a must-have for any traveler.
Photo: Wiplabs

Carrying essential accessories with you wherever you go can be a nightmare. Your wires can get tangled, your AirPods can get lost, and your Apple Pencil can end up in more than one piece. That’s why you need the Bento Stack.

This compact, multi-compartment storage solution keeps more than 10 must-have accessories neatly organized when you’re on the road. It’s a must-have if you’re a frequent traveler.

Cheaper HomePod, improved AirPods could arrive in 2020

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airpods
Apple could finally bring noise cancellation to AirPods.
Photo: Ste Smith/ Cult of Mac

A more affordable version of the struggling HomePod smart speaker will debut next year, according to a generally reliable source. Apple is also reportedly going to introduce AirPods with noise cancellation in 2020.

Both are products that consumers have been asking for.

AirPods won’t escape Trump’s tariffs this time

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Bluetooth in iOS 11
Apple will have to pay import taxes on AirPods starting next month.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Not all Apple devices will escape the taxes being levied next month on goods imported from China. The Trump Administration decided to delay tariffs on iPhone, iPad and Mac, but other popular products will still get slapped with a 10% import tax, including Apple Watch, AirPods and HomePod

AirPods sales could shoot up 40% this year

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airpods
AirPods are tiny, but they’re big business.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s wireless earbuds are selling better than most people realize. The company is on track to sell 50 million pairs by the end of this year, according to an industry analyst.

That’s up from 35 million in 2018. The product only debuted in 2016.

Save on iMac, iPhone, iPad and more! [Deals & Steals]

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iMac
Get a whopping $700 off the 5K iMac.
Photo: Apple

B&H Photo’s big discount on the 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display is now even bigger. This super-speedy model is now down $700 for a limited time — and it’s just one of the awesome offers in today’s Deals & Steals roundup.

You can also bag an unlocked iPhone for under $205, an Amazon Echo Show for under $60, and the Netgear Orbi whole home Wi-Fi mesh system for under $200. Plus, you can save $17.50 on the stunning Twelve South HiRise stand for MacBook.

AirPods and Apple Watch are now a bigger money-spinner than iPad

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Apple Watch Series 4
Wearables are big business for Apple.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s wearables division, including Apple Watch and AirPods, is now bigger than the company’s iPad business.

That’s a pretty astonishing statistic, and shows just how Apple continues to shift. Just a decade ago, Apple’s wearables division didn’t exist. Meanwhile, the iPad was the fastest-selling new product in Apple’s history.