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Technical Description

AirPods

Outline 

  1. Introduction 
    1. What are Headphones?
    1. What are AirPods?
    1. The birth of AirPods.
  2. Unboxing AirPods?
    1. Overview
    1. Components of AirPods
  3. Conclusion
  4. Work Cited

Introduction

What are Headphones?

            AirPods by Apple is an innovation that changed the way people used headphones in their daily lives. It revolutionized the size and the abilities that headphones had before, it is out of this world. A fun fact is that headphones are used daily by every commuter from east coast to west coast and across the world. According to an article, headphones are small speakers that can be worn in or around your ears. Traditional headphones had two ear cups attached by a band that is placed over your head. Meanwhile, headphones which are smaller and placed inside the ear are called earbuds. This invention helped people listen to music or anything in an efficient way by not interrupting the people around them (InfiniaCorp). For example, headphones can be used for sports, for health, for music, for traveling and much more.

What are Aipods?

            Airpods are outstanding piece of technology that made a huge impact on many people. This device has the capacity to charge while being stored away. Not only do the ear pieces have their own case, the case has a convenient size to fit in your pocket. As of today, in the Apple website, AirPods are assigned a price of $159.99 without taxes. People can honestly say they are going nuts for them because they haven’t seen a device that connects to your phone by just taking them out the case and charges when you out them back.

The birth of AirPods.

            Apple Inc is an American multinational technology company which was founded on April 1, 1976 in California. Over the span of 43 years, Apple has been one of the top 4 companies leading the race in technology among with Microsoft and Google. The AirPods first went on sale on December 2016, yet there were many challenges along the way. This innovation was first mention five years before in 2011, as Jorge S Fino filed for a patent for EarPods-like headphones that could work with or without wires. It took about two years until it was finally published on October 3, 2012. Within the reading it specified, “”when the listening device is detached from the corded portion, a wireless signal that includes the audio signal is transmitted from the second part of the corded portion for reception at the first part of the listening device” (AppleInsider, Gallagher). His vision became a reality as AirPods do exactly that, as soon as they are taken out the case, they connect to our phones wirelessly. 

Unboxing Airpods?

Overview

            Opening a box of AirPods can be so satisfying; the feeling of having the latest tech in your possession. In the box of AirPods you get three main components: a pair of AirPods, a Charging Case, and a Lighting to USB Cable. The Charging Case has the dimensions of 1.74 x 0.84 x 2.11 inches (44.3 x 21.3 x 53.5 mm) and weighs about 1.34 ounces (38g). Literally less than half the size of your wallet and weighs less than your phone. The AirPods in general have the dimension of 0.65 x 0.71 x 1.59 inches (16.5 x 18.0 x 40.5 mm) each and weighs 0.14 ounces (4g). 

                                                      Image #2: AirPods unboxing                  

            When it comes down to talk about the best headphones out there right now; the AirPods are among the top of the iceberg. They are one of the most hyped headphones as everyone seem to be wanting a pair. First, when you pull out your AirPods out the charging case, they are ready to use. No need trying to connect them to your phone every time you want to use them. They turn on instantly and needs connect to your apple device such as: iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac only once. When you first get them, it is a one-tap setup for all Apple devices. A cool feature about these headphones would have to be when you place them on your ears, as music instantly starts playing and pauses when you take them off. According to Apple, AirPods use optical sensors and a motion accelerometer to detect when they are in your ears (Apple Support). Apple establish to make these headphones easy to manage. By double tapping on either side of the earbuds it activates Siri, which can adjust volume, change the song, make a call, or even get directions. The thing that concerns every single person is the battery life. These headphones have more than 24 hours battery life with the Charging Case. Furthermore, the case makes things better as it charges quickly.

Components of AirPods

            AirPods have two main components, including the charging case and the pair of AirPods. The charging case is the dock in which the AirPods can recharge and be stored in the time not being used. In other words, it’s the house of the AirPods. Firstly, when connecting to a new phone we use the button on back of the case to make the device discoverable. Secondly, without the charging cases the AirPods have no other way to charge meaning that when they died that’s it until they are put in a charging case. A charging case is equipped with a lighting charger adapter and a battery with a led which indicates charge capacity. Keep in mind the charging case holds multiple charges for more than 24 hours of listening time. 

Image #3: Charging Case teardown 

            The second component is the AirPods, which consists of a left and a right ear piece. The left and right piece consist of the same systems and settings. According to Apple, AirPods use optical sensors and a motion accelerometer. This is how they detect if they are in your ear or not. In case one, AirPod is being used the W1 chip automatically routes the audio and engages the microphone to the corresponding ear piece. The accelerometer works well with beam forming microphones to filter out background noise and focus on the sound of our voice. The W1 chip manages battery life and it’s so efficient at it that AirPods deliver an industry leading 5 hours of listening time in just one charge. The dual optical sensors and dual accelerometers let the earbuds determine movement, for example when they are taken out from the case or when they are in your ear or not. There is a beamforming microphone in each earbud, which helps filter out background noise and focus on the sound of your voice (Apple Support). The battery connects to the W1 chip which makes the AirPods have an outstanding battery life. 

Image #4: Airpod’s teardown 

Conclusion

            In conclusion, we can see how AirPods took over the headphones industry. According to a blog, “Last year, Apple sold 14 to 16 million pairs of AirPods, Kuo said, but that number will reach 50 to 55 million next year and jump to 100 to 110 million by 2021, the news source reports” (Fortune). As of right now there are rumors about AirPods getting a new feature such as wireless charging, which would only make Apple sales rise. AirPods are right now the beats of the generation. A couple of years Beats by Dre where the most popular headphones, yet now AirPods have stepped to the spotlight. 

            Compare to Apple EarPods which connect to a phone by lighting adaptor. The price different is huge as Apple EarPods are only about $30 compare to $159.99. Talking about common differences there are a couple. While the AirPods are wireless due to Bluetooth, the EarPods are not as they still have a cable and adaptor attached. In addition, that means EarPods does not contain a W1 chip, optical sensors and a motion accelerometer. The AirPods clearly outshine the EarPods as people want the latest technology which makes their life easier. AirPods made a strong statement taking the headphones society to the next level. Trying to improve the AirPods is going to be a complex job. The next generation for AirPods are going to include wireless charging. Right now, most technology companies are focusing on improving wirelessly charging, that is the next step they are looking forward too. 

Work Cited