Tag: AirPods

  • AirPods still dominate the wireless earbuds market in 2025

    AirPods still dominate the wireless earbuds market in 2025

    Based on a new study from Counterpoint Research, Apple AirPods are favored as the leading wireless earbuds in 2025. According to the report, AirPods controlled 36% of the worldwide market revenue last year, putting Apple at the top of the category.

    Apple finished in second place among shipments, behind the Indian brand boAt. Apple continued to generate most of its revenue from units it shipped abroad, while boAt sold more in its home market, India, at lower costs.

    There was enough demand for Android alternatives for Samsung to place third on the list with its Galaxy Buds. Xiaomi and Skullcandy both finished among the top five companies for a number of units sold.

    2024 saw the wireless earbuds market’s shipments increase by 6% and its revenue increase by 3%. Budget-friendly choices, not luxurious ones, were most responsible for this growth, mostly happening in Asia and Latin America. Yet, the premium sector, dominated by Apple, kept performing well due to users wanting more features and better sound in their headphones.

    Experts at Counterpoint believe that the market will expand in 2025. While more people want low-cost and mid-range earbuds, AirPods and similar products will stay preferred in the U.S. and Europe.

    Because it aims for quality and loyal followers, Apple beats out others, even with lower-priced phones entering the market.

  • New AirPods and Beats coming soon and AirPods Max 2 may launch in late 2025

    New AirPods and Beats coming soon and AirPods Max 2 may launch in late 2025

    New audio products from Apple are planned for the current year and then 2026 as well. Sources say that the next generation AirPods Max will likely be available by the end of 2025. Most likely, the emblem will have the same design as the last one, while embracing lighter colors, having a USB-C port and offering better performance.

    At the same time, Apple is designing new versions of its regular AirPods as well. According to rumors, a new model of AirPods is set to launch this September. There are going to be two versions of these earbuds: active noise cancellation and non-active noise cancellation. Both iPhones will possibly include a new case and speakers for the Find My feature, along with a USB-C charging port.

    We are not likely to see a new AirPods Pro until 2026. Apple intends to make the design sleeker and add new amenities for that model, especially for its health features.

    Apple-owned Beats is also working on the next Powerbeats Pro model. Just recently, the prototype was seen showing a transparent design. The improved version of Powerbeats Pro will supposedly be released soon, offering better battery and presenting new additions, while keeping the cable that wraps around the back of your ear for a good workout fit.

    Apple is set to give its current audio range a major upgrade during the next year and a half. If you like AirPods or Beats, many delights are coming your way.

    Source/Via/Via

  • Apple’s AirPods to get cameras by 2027

    Apple’s AirPods to get cameras by 2027

    Apple is gearing up to launch AirPods with built-in cameras by 2027, as reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. These cameras, likely small infrared sensors like those in the iPhone’s Face ID, will bring exciting new features.

    For instance, they could improve spatial audio, making sounds feel more lifelike when paired with Apple’s Vision Pro headset. By tracking where you look, the AirPods could adjust audio to match your surroundings, creating a more immersive experience.

    In addition to the camera-equipped AirPods, Apple is developing smart glasses to rival Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses, also slated for 2027. These glasses would use similar visual tech to scan the environment and offer useful information on the go.

    This move comes as Apple shifts focus from its pricey, bulky $3,500 Vision Pro headset to more practical, lightweight devices that appeal to a wider audience. Production for the new AirPods is expected to kick off in 2026, with a release likely the following year.

    Apple’s goal is to make augmented reality more accessible, blending innovative tech with the simplicity its products are known for. While details are still unfolding, these AirPods could transform how we listen and engage with the world, offering a fresh take on wearable technology.

  • iOS 19 makes AirPods more useful with new hearing features

    iOS 19 makes AirPods more useful with new hearing features

    Apple is working on some new updates that will make AirPods even more helpful, especially with iOS 19. One of the standout changes includes using AirPods as hearing aids. According to a recent report, this feature could arrive later this year.

    Apple already has something called “Conversation Boost” for AirPods Pro, which helps users hear voices better in noisy places. But with iOS 19, Apple may take things a step further by officially allowing AirPods to be used as hearing aids. This could be a big deal for people with mild hearing problems.

    The idea isn’t entirely new — past reports from Bloomberg mentioned that Apple wants to bring health-focused tools to AirPods, including better hearing support. Some users already use AirPods in “Live Listen” mode, which lets them hear through their iPhone’s microphone. However, Apple has never claimed these are medical tools.

    If AirPods become real hearing aids, they may need FDA approval in some countries, depending on how advanced the features are. Apple might be preparing for this, as the company keeps pushing health features across its devices.

    The new hearing aid feature is expected to arrive with iOS 19, likely launching around September 2025. Apple might reveal more details at WWDC 2025 in June.

    In short, iOS 19 could turn your AirPods into something more than just earbuds — they might soon help people hear better in everyday life.

  • Apple’s New Ideas: AirPods with cameras and a super-fast chip

    Apple’s New Ideas: AirPods with cameras and a super-fast chip

    Apple is working on some exciting plans for its products. According to recent news, the company is thinking about adding tiny cameras to AirPods. These cameras could help the earbuds do cool things, like figuring out where you are or letting you control them with hand movements.

    It’s still early, and Apple hasn’t decided if they’ll make it happen, but it shows they’re dreaming big for the future of AirPods. Meanwhile, a well-known tech expert, Ming-Chi Kuo, says Apple is also building a powerful new chip called the A20. This chip uses a super-small 2-nanometer design, which means it’s faster and saves more battery than older chips.

    It might show up in iPhones or other gadgets by 2027. Apple wants to keep its devices ahead of the game, and this chip could be a big step forward. Both ideas—the camera AirPods and the A20 chip—prove Apple is always looking for ways to make its tech smarter and stronger. Fans are already buzzing about what’s next!

    Source/Via

  • Apple pushes to bring AirPods hearing help to Canada

    Apple pushes to bring AirPods hearing help to Canada

    Even though Health Canada gave the green light for AirPods hearing aid and hearing test tools at the national level in December, Canadians can’t use them yet. Stories from CTV News and the Toronto Star this month explain that each province has its own rules holding things up.

    Take Ontario, Canada’s biggest province, for example. There, you need a doctor or hearing specialist to sign off on hearing aids. That’s one reason the features haven’t arrived. The bright side? Apple shared with the Toronto Star that it’s teaming up with Canadian provinces to get the okay to offer these AirPods tools without a prescription. The company wants to roll them out fast but hasn’t said exactly when they’ll land.

    With the hearing aid tool, AirPods Pro 2 can boost nearby sounds. Apple says it’s built for grown-ups who notice mild to moderate trouble hearing—no extra charge to turn it on. Then there’s the quick five-minute hearing test. It checks how well adults hear different sound pitches. Once it’s done, you get a simple breakdown of any hearing loss and tips on what to do next.

    These two options first popped up in the U.S. and a few other places in late October. They’re still spreading to more spots around the world. Canada does have one AirPods hearing feature already: hearing protection. It’s ready to go for users there. All three tools—hearing aid, test, and protection—work only with AirPods Pro 2. Apple’s clearly working hard to get the full set to Canada soon. For now, folks are waiting to see when the provinces give the thumbs-up.

  • How to easily update your AirPods to the latest version

    How to easily update your AirPods to the latest version

    Apple regularly refreshes its AirPods with new software updates, which usually happen quietly on their own. For a long time, how this worked was unclear, but now Apple shares simple steps to help you update your AirPods yourself if needed.

    Simple Steps to Update Your AirPods or AirPods Pro

    Apple provides clear guidance on its support page for updating AirPods. Here’s how to do it in six easy steps:

    • Keep your AirPods close to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and make sure the device is on Wi-Fi.
    • Place your AirPods in their case and shut the lid.
    • Connect the charging cable to the case, then plug it into a USB charger or port.
    • Leave the lid closed and wait at least 30 minutes for the update to finish.
    • Open the case lid to link your AirPods back to your device.
    • Check the software version to confirm the update.

    If it doesn’t work, Apple suggests resetting your AirPods and trying again.

    Updating AirPods Max Made Easy

    For AirPods Max owners, the process is just as simple with these five steps:

    • Ensure your AirPods Max are near your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, connected to Wi-Fi.
    • Attach the charging cable to the bottom-right earpiece, then plug it into a USB charger or port.
    • Wait at least 30 minutes for the update to complete.
    • Reconnect your AirPods Max to your device.
    • Check the software version to see if it updated.

    What Happens Behind the Scenes?

    Normally, these updates happen automatically without you noticing. But if you want to take control and do it yourself, these steps are the way to go. With this know-how, you’ll be all set when the next AirPods update rolls out!

  • AirPods to offer real-time language translation by late 2025

    AirPods to offer real-time language translation by late 2025

    Apple is developing an exciting feature for AirPods that will make chatting across languages much easier, according to Bloomberg. This new tool, tied to iOS 19, will roll out with an AirPods software update later this year. With this update, AirPods will help people who speak different languages talk smoothly. It’ll work alongside the iPhone’s Translate app. Imagine an English speaker wearing AirPods chatting with someone speaking Spanish.

    The iPhone will pick up the Spanish words, turn them into English, and send them to the AirPods wearer. Then, when the English speaker replies, the iPhone will translate their words into Spanish and say them out loud. The Translate app on iPhones already does this, but adding it to AirPods will make the whole process quicker and simpler.

    Apple also plans to upgrade the Translate app in iOS 19, though we don’t know the details yet. While new AirPods Pro 3 earbuds are coming in 2025, it seems this translation feature might work on older AirPods models, too. In recent years, Apple has been pairing AirPods updates with iOS releases.

    For example, with iOS 18, they added hearing health tools. These let AirPods check for hearing problems and even act as a hearing aid if needed. This shows how Apple keeps making AirPods more helpful with each iOS update. This translation feature could be a game-changer for travelers, friends, or anyone connecting across languages. By late 2025, AirPods might just break down language barriers like never before!

  • AirPods Pro 3 coming soon: What to expect

    AirPods Pro 3 coming soon: What to expect

    Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 hit the market over two years ago and still lead the pack in wireless earbuds. But with the AirPods Pro 3 set to drop in 2025, many wonder if waiting for the next version is the smart move. The AirPods Pro 2 shine with great sound and noise-blocking skills for their tiny size. Apple keeps them fresh with updates, too.

    When iOS 17 came out in 2023, they got cool tricks like Adaptive Audio, mute buttons, and quick device switching. Then, iOS 18, launched last year, added head-shake controls for Siri, better voice clarity by cutting background noise, and a gaming-focused sound feature. Late last year, iOS 18.1 and 18.2 brought a big win: hearing aid support for people with mild to moderate hearing loss, approved by the FDA.

    What’s New for AirPods Pro 3 in 2025?

    The AirPods Pro 3 will likely keep all these goodies and add more. Rumors point to a new look for the earbuds and their case—different from the style we’ve seen since the first AirPods Pro. Inside, Apple might boost the sound with a faster chip, a trend with every new model. Word is they’ll also improve noise cancellation, making it even better than the AirPods Pro 2.

    Health features are a big deal too. Reports say Apple’s working on heart rate tracking, like what’s in the Powerbeats Pro 2, which syncs with gym gear to show your pulse on your iPhone. The AirPods Pro 3 could do this too, maybe even while playing tunes. There’s talk of a body temperature sensor in the ear canal, but it might not be ready for 2025.

    Looking ahead, some predict cameras in AirPods by 2026 for better sound with Apple’s Vision Pro headset or future AI tricks. That’s probably not happening this year, though.

    Release Clues

    In February, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said the AirPods Pro 3 are coming in 2025, still months off. One tipster guessed May or June, but their last “soon” prediction flopped, so take it lightly.

    Should You Wait?

    With the AirPods Pro 3 possibly arriving by late 2025, it’s a tough call. The new AirPods 4 offer some Pro perks for $179, but if you want the latest tech—like better hearing aid features—and don’t mind waiting, the AirPods Pro 3 at $249 could be your pick. For now, they sound like the top choice for Apple fans craving next-level earbuds.

  • Apple’s new AirPods with cameras: What’s Coming?

    Apple’s new AirPods with cameras: What’s Coming?

    Apple is busy working on AirPods that come with cameras, according to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg. Don’t expect to see this in the AirPods Pro 3, which should launch this year. Instead, it’s a plan. Apple wants these earbuds to get smarter about the world around you—here’s why.

    Seeing the World with AirPods

    With the iPhone 16, Apple added a Camera Control button. It’s handy for snapping pictures or tweaking camera options, but it also brought something called Visual Intelligence. This feature helps you figure out what’s around you, like adding a flyer’s event to your calendar or asking Google or ChatGPT about something confusing.

    Gurman says Apple wants AirPods to do similar things. Imagine tiny cameras on your earbuds using artificial intelligence to “see” your surroundings and tell you about them. It’s like having smart glasses but without the glasses! You can ask Siri what’s nearby without even touching your iPhone.

    Better Sound Experience

    Ming-Chi Kuo, a supply chain expert, thinks these cameras could team up with other Apple gadgets, like the Vision Pro headset. They might improve how you hear sounds around you, especially with spatial audio. For example, if you’re watching a video with Vision Pro and turn your head, the sound could shift to match where you’re looking, making it feel more real. Kuo even suggests the cameras might let you control the AirPods with hand gestures in the air—pretty cool, though it sounds a bit unusual!

    When Can We Get Them?

    Bloomberg reports that these camera-equipped AirPods won’t arrive until at least 2027, possibly with the AirPods Pro 4. Apple might also launch smart glasses around then, similar to Meta’s Ray-Bans. The goal? To make use of the Visual Intelligence tech from Vision Pro, which scans your surroundings and gives helpful info.

    In short, Apple’s cooking up something exciting with AirPods. Cameras could make them smarter and more connected to your world, blending sound and sight in fresh ways. Stay tuned for more as 2027 gets closer!