Apple AirPods

Last week, Apple silently updated its completely wireless AirPods earbuds to version 3.5.1. The move came as a surprise to many as Apple hadn’t made it explicitly clear that the AirPods were capable of receiving firmware updates.

Nevertheless, read on for how to check the firmware of your AirPods and update it…

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Apple is rolling out the second iOS 10.3 beta for developer testing on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The upcoming software update includes Find My AirPods support, CarPlay improvements, Apple’s new filesystem, and more. We’ll update and highlight any changes discovered below.

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Apple has silently updated the Apple AirPods firmware to version 3.5.1, from 3.3.1, earlier today. The AirPods automatically update to the latest software when the earbuds are charging in the AirPods Case and close to a paired device. The new firmware does not appear to contain any new front-facing features.

There is no onscreen alert or notification that an update has taken place. You can however verify if your AirPods are up-to-date by checking the AirPods firmware version number in Settings on an iPhone …

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A little over a month later and one of the biggest challenges using AirPods has to be the primary means of control, Siri. Within Wi-Fi networks or strong cellular service, Siri usually works reliably, even if with some delay. Step into an elevator or subway, and that voice control interface is rendered useless. Without a good internet connection, Siri just doesn’t work and that means pulling out your phone or using your Apple Watch for controls. It’s a first world problem, sure, but that doesn’t mean we can’t push for a better solution. However, even if it’s temporary, there is an offline option to use for now…

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In this week’s top stories: iOS 10.3 beta arrives with a new Find My AirPods feature, Ben walks through Getting started with HomeKit in his first Smart Home Diary, macOS Sierra 10.12.4 beta brings Apple’s Night Shift feature to Macs, and much more.

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Apple’s AirPods have only been available for a little over a month and still have 6 week shipping times, but it’s possible we could see a second generation sooner rather than later if Apple launches updated AirPods annually and alongside the iPhone 8. Let’s take a look at some of the potential upgrades we might see this year.

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As we noted earlier, Apple has released iOS 10.3 beta 1 to developers. The update brings several new features to the table, including Find My AirPods for helping to keep track of Apple’s recently-released and highly popular AirPods. But that’s not all that’s new in iOS 10.3. In this hands-on video walkthrough, we’ll step through some of the other new additions.
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Apple just released iOS 10.3 beta for developers and within has surprised with a new Find My AirPods feature that allows users to locate their missing cord-free Apple earbuds.

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AirPods may not appear to be the best earphones solution for flying based on specs, but I found them to be near perfect on a recent flight across the country. AirPods are a totally different product than my wireless Bose QC35s which have longer battery life and active noise cancellation not to mention superior audio quality, but AirPods were easily preferred as my travel earphones after real world testing for a few reasons.

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Slice Intelligence made headlines when it suggested that Apple’s AirPods captured a 26% share of the wireless headphone market within a short time of going on sale. Together with a Beats share of around 15%, that put Apple at a combined total of 40%.

Today, however, NPD says those numbers paint a misleading picture, and the true market share captured by AirPods is more like 2% by volume and 3% by value. There is, it says, a simple explanation for the huge apparent discrepancy …

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Update: Apple shared two more ads, one for AirPods called “Notes” and another for Apple Watch focused on Activity. View them below.

Apple today has shared two new advertisements for its truly wireless AirPods. The new videos mark the first advertisements for the AirPods from Apple and come in at 15 seconds each, with the first highlighting the pairing process and the second highlighting Siri support.

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[Update Jan. 6th 2017 7:09 pm PT: Apple has pulled ‘Finder for AirPods’ from the iOS App Store. According to the developer, “They didn’t find anything wrong with the app itself, but rather they they didn’t like the ‘concept’ of people finding their AirPods and hence was deemed ‘not appropriate for the App Store’.”] Instead try this free less obvious app that does the same thing.

As AirPods continue to ship, more eager customers have been able to use Apple’s latest hot accessory. If you’ve given AirPods a try we want to hear how they fit and if they fall out or stay in your ears. This week we’ve also seen the first app released to help you locate your missing AirPod(s).

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Our recent poll asking readers why they’re holding out on Apple’s AirPods after they’ve received overall good reviews has revealed the majority feels they’re ‘too expensive.’ The second most common reason is long shipping times (currently still 6 weeks on Apple’s website). Here are some reasons why people aren’t willing to spend $159 on Apple’s newest accessory and some affordable alternatives…

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A brief report in China’s Economic Daily Times says that Apple’s AirPods manufacturer, Inventec, is expanding capacity in order to meet strong demand.

The report noted that Inventec has recently started expanding capacity at its Shanghai plants in order to satisfy increasing demand for the earphones and the plants are currently working overtime to deliver orders …

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Apple’s freshly released AirPods are receiving great reviews overall. Tim Cook called AirPods “a run away success” and said Apple is making the backordered product as fast as possible. First hand accounts from a marathon runner to members of our 9to5Mac team are giving generally positive reports. So if you haven’t acquired your own set of AirPods yet, we’re curious to learn why you aren’t buying them? Tell us below in our poll…

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Tim Cook was spotted today visiting the floor of the New York Stock Exchange where he was asked by CNBC about the recently launched (and backordered) AirPods. The Apple CEO described the new wireless earphones as “a run away success” and promised Apple is making more units “as fast as we can” when asked about supply constraints.

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While AirPods availability is certainly improving, the completely wireless headphones are still hard to find in Apple retail locations around the world. If you’re on the hunt to get yourself a pair, a new website launched just a few days ago aims to notify you the second AirPods become available in your local Apple Store.

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