Another Apple anticipated event themed ‘Unleashed’ has taken place. Today Apple introduces users to its third-generation AirPods. This latest introduction signifies another addition by Apple to its massively popular collection of wireless earbuds. The new third-generation Airpod boasts of a new sleek design that has a rich blend of Apple’s Airpod and Airpod pro. Unlike the previous Airpods Apple had previously introduced since 2016, the new third-generation Airpod comes with a shorter stem, but still retains the hard plastic body and one-size-fits-most fit in the ear.
Something exciting thing to take note of about the new addition is the water and sweat resistant property and the extended battery life of up to 6 hours which guarantees continuous listening for as much as 30 Hours. The audio output will be automatically tuned and optimized with the introduction of its redesigned custom driver and adaptive EQ. Apple confirms the new Airpod is compatible with the MagSafe charging system as well as force sensor controls, properties the new Airpod has in common with the AirPods Pro. Apple says the preorder starts today at $179 and will go on sale next week.
For the new Airpod, Apple is placing more emphasis on the Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos music mixes feature which would also apply to videos. A feature that will support the same head-tracking capabilities just like the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max does. Apple claims the latest Airpods comes with an improved microphone performance they “feature AAC-ELD, a superior speech codec that offers full HD voice quality, providing clear, natural communication for FaceTime calls.”
In 2016, the first set of Apple AirPods was released and had a second-gen pair follow-up that added wireless charging and quite a number of modest improvements. In 2019, Apple gave users the AirPods Pro, which came along with silicone ear tips and a more traditional in-ear fit. In 2020 the AirPods line was extended with the launch of the Airpod Max with even more robust features which sold for about $549.
The earbuds by Apple have enjoyed huge popularity since their introduction. Many users have regarded it as a must-have, especially because of the ease of use it brings and the seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem of hardware, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV.
But the competition between Apple and other manufacturers continues to remain stiff —especially at lower price points. Samsung, Jabra, Amazon, Sony, and others have provided alternatives for earbud lovers. Newer entrants continue to seek ways to stay apart on design and grab a share of the market.