New AirPods with Apple-likeness, points of interest that I felt were "buying" (Mynavi News) --Yahoo! News

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Apple's long-awaited wireless earphone "AirPods" will finally reach a major update

Apple will finally release the 3rd generation "AirPods" on October 26th. The price is 23,800 yen. I would like to explain the latest model of the world's best-selling wireless earphones, the points to note. [Photo] A small hole is provided in the top of the housing to create a structure that creates an air flow inside. AirPods evolved from EarPods. The first model of AirPods, which has four lineups, appeared in December 2016. Nowadays, it is a left and right independent wireless earphone that has become known as "complete wireless earphone", but it is still rare at the time when AirPods appeared, and users who are using the wired type "EarPods" bundled with iPhone are in the city. I saw many in. After that, completely wireless earphones were released by many manufacturers and gradually became the mainstream of wireless earphones. AirPods will be equipped with Apple's original SiP ("system in package" centered on high-performance IC chips) "Apple H1" in the spring of 2019, and voice by "Hey Siri" that is always on. In addition to being compatible with operation, it is now a second-generation machine with a Qi-compatible wireless charging case. In the fall of the same year, "AirPods Pro" equipped with active noise canceling (ANC) function was released. In the winter of 2020, the first wireless headphones with ANC function "AirPods Max" were also born. "MUJI" AirPods will be updated for the first time in about two and a half years. Based on the 2nd generation AirPods, the conventional AirPods with a case that does not support wireless charging will also be sold together. It is positioned as an entry model with a price of 16,800 yen. AirPods Pro is the most expensive flagship model for the AirPods series wireless earphones, which are different from the 2nd generation AirPods and AirPods Pro. The biggest difference between AirPods Pro and the new AirPods is "whether or not there is an ANC function / external sound capture function". AirPods are earphones with an "open structure" that have a small hole that serves as an air passage at the top of the housing, which is the outer shell of the main body. Earphones can be worn even during music playback or hands-free calling by naturally capturing external sound from this small hole, which also serves to create an air flow to move the large-diameter Apple driver designed in-house powerfully. In this state, you will naturally be able to pay attention to the surrounding environmental sounds. A major update from the 2nd generation AirPods is full support for Apple's unique 3D music experience, "Spatial Audio." With AirPods attached to your ears, if you play music that corresponds to the video content of Apple TV + and "Spatial Audio by Dolby Atmos" distributed by Apple Music, you can hear the sound when you turn your face or body. Supports "Dynamic Head Tracking" that changes. Earphones and headphones that offer an immersive sound experience with this feature will be the "third in the world" model after AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. Starting this year, the content delivered on Netflix also supports the listening experience with 3D audio and dynamic head tracking. We can expect more and more content platforms to enter the market in the future. Battery life and improved water and sweat resistance The 3rd generation AirPods are likely to be the most user-friendly model in the series of wireless earphones. The battery can be driven continuously for about 6 hours with the earphone alone. If you repeat charging with the charging case, you can use it continuously for up to 30 hours. You can also use wireless charging with the MagSafe charger, which debuted in 2020. In addition, with the release of the 3rd generation AirPods, the charging case of AirPods Pro will also be updated to support MagSafe, and it will be possible to click and fix the charger with a magnet so that it will not shift. The 3rd generation AirPods have the same IPX-grade water and sweat resistance as the AirPods Pro earphones. In addition, I was surprised to see the announcement that even the charging case has the same IPX4 grade water and sweat resistance specifications. I think it's a rare specification that is hard to find in other companies' completely wireless earphones. The press release and product information of the new AirPods also states that the voice of FaceTime calls will be clear, but regarding the difference from the previous generation AirPods and AirPods Pro, I would like to report the response again after trying the actual machine. increase. The color variation is one white color. The reason is? In recent years, Apple has also been focusing on developing color variations for iPhone and iPad. I think many people were expecting the addition of a variety of colors to the new AirPods. Unfortunately, the 3rd generation AirPods are all white. But there is a reason behind that. This is because the AirPods series of wireless earphones is entrusted with the mission of inheriting the iconic design signature of "Apple White Earphones" that continues from EarPods, which has been bundled with iPods and iPhones for many years. However, for me personally, AirPods Max has five vivid colors, so I think it's time to develop earphones as well. Nowadays, there are many inexpensive products that cost less than 10,000 yen for completely wireless earphones that do not have ANC function. The price of AirPods over 20,000 yen may seem "high" at first glance, but if you choose a case that supports wireless charging, it will be cheaper than the second generation AirPods that was 25,080 yen (tax included). , The body is even more compact. The new AirPods, which have an Apple-like feel, including design, can be said to be "buy without hesitation" wireless earphones. Author: Atsushi Yamamoto Journalist and writer Atsushi Yamamoto. He became a freelancer after working as a web editor and reporter for an audio-visual magazine. Since he has been interviewing the electronics show "IFA" held in Berlin, Germany every year, he is particularly familiar with the latest situation related to smart home appliances and IoT in Europe. He has a deep knowledge of audio-visual fields and covers a wide range from high resolution to music distribution, 4K and VOD. Taking advantage of his fluent English and French, he handles many events and interviews with developers from Japan to overseas.

Atsushi Yamamoto