Apple unveils AirPods Pro, coming October 30 for $249

[Shawn Knight]

Why it matters: Apple on Monday added a new member to the AirPods family with the introduction of AirPods Pro. The addition gives Apple yet another new product for the lucrative holiday season and should help with its bottom line when it comes time to report quarterly earnings.

Apple’s latest in-ear audio solution was designed for “comfort and fit.” They include three different sizes of silicone ear tips and utilize a vent system to help equalize pressure within the ear canal. AirPods Pro are also sweat- and water-resistant, making them a good match for people with active lifestyles.

The vent system also allows for transparency mode in which users can listen to music while being able to simultaneously hear the outside environment.

The new earbuds additionally offer active noise cancellation via two microphones and advanced software. One mic faces outwards and picks up background noise which is then cancelled out with an equivalent anti-noise. The second microphone faces inward towards the ear and listens for any additional background noise that may have slipped by, canceling that out, too. Collectively, the noise signal is adapted 200 times per second.

Users will enjoy the same simple setup process as before – just open the charging case near an iOS or iPadOS device and give it a tap. They’ll be automatically paired with all devices signed into your iCloud account.

Battery life is rated at up to five hours on a single charge although with active noise cancellation enabled, that’ll fall slightly to 4.5 hours of listening time and 3.5 hours of talk time. With the wireless charging case, you can get more than 24 hours of listening time or 18+ hours of talk time.

Apple’s new AirPods Pro are available to order online from today and will be in stores starting October 30. Expect to pay $249 for the opportunity.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/82522-apple-unveils-airpods-pro-coming-october-30-249.html

 

[Hexic]

Woo, welcome to 2016 once more Apple!

 

[Fearghast]

Woo, welcome to 2016 once more Apple!

At least they "invented" the In-Ear headphones this time ... that automatically means they can't be as bad as Airpods 1 or 2 - comfort and sound-wise.
Not to mention 3/4 of the "ANC" is passive isolation anyway.

It has to be better, because there are less options to ... you know ... f*ckit up ... again.

 

[p51d007]

LOL, 250 bucks, for overpriced earphones. But, the apple sheep will buy it.

 

[umbala]

I think that too many people bought the original overpriced version of this. That's why Apple thought to themselves "let's release a new one and make it $100 more expensive!" $249 for 4.5 hours of playtime. You have to be a "pro" sucker for this one.

 

[Fearghast]

I think that too many people bought the original overpriced version of this. That's why Apple thought to themselves "let's release a new one and make it $100 more expensive!" $249 for 4.5 hours of playtime. You have to be a "pro" sucker for this one.

TBH Apple made the Pro moniker laughing manner for most people
What was their first product? iPad Pro - aka bigger iPod with stereo speakers and pen support?

 

[Udelh579]

TBH Apple made the Pro moniker laughing manner for most people

Yeah, that bums me out. I mean, I know what Pro headphones look and sound like. So, this concept substitution helps sales but deteriorates the pro market and the requirements for the "pro" name.

It's like a business package for a low-price car that feels like a business class. And I actually know people who think this IS what a business class means, so it definitely works.

 

[ypsylon]

Sometimes Apple comes with something truly special and sometimes they come with a stinker. Well to be honest in recent years amount of stinkers seriously outweighs amount of great stuff, but still.

This ^ despite all good things you could say about Apple AirPods is just obvious money grab, nothing more nothing less. Targeted at folks who don't really think much about spending 250$ (in Europe that will be +20-25% because of VAT) so they can bask in all 'Pro' Apple gear, even if there is nothing Pro about great many things among Apple line-up.