Apple AirPods

The Indian government has today announced that Foxconn has broken ground on $500M worth of new iPhone plants in Telangana, in the south of the country, as Apple continues its efforts to move more production out of China.

At least one of the plants is also expected to manufacture AirPods, after Apple offered Foxconn a new contract for these back in March …

Apple has launched new firmware for eight of its products today. That includes all of its AirPods models (except gen 1), Beats Fit Pro, PowerBeats Pro, and its official MagSafe charger. Here’s what to look out for to know if you’ve running the latest updates.

If you were a teenager and somebody on the internet told you that you could make hundreds of dollars a week simply by dropping things off at the post office, you would listen. And that’s exactly what’s happening on TikTok as “hustling” teens turn to drop shipping fake AirPods as a lucrative revenue stream.

Head below for an in-depth look at the process, and Apple’s tips for how to protect yourself…

One of the headlining features of AirPods Pro 2 is something Apple calls Adaptive Transparency mode. This feature builds on the Transparency mode feature Apple introduced with the original AirPods Pro, which let outside sound in, so you can hear what’s going on around you. This feature pairs with improved Active Noise Cancellation, another way to protect your hearing health.

A new report from Highsnobiety this week highlights how AirPods Pro can “benefit your ear health at music festivals.”

Apple today rolled out a new round of firmware updates for AirPods, including AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. Alongside those firmware updates, Apple also has a piece of advice for users who can’t update their AirPods because they “don’t have an Apple device nearby.”

Following the release of iOS 16.4.1 to the public on Monday, Apple is now rolling out a firmware update for the second- and third-generation AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. Today’s updates follow firmware updates that were released for the AirPods family in January.

Apple’s AirPods have gained a bunch of new features since their first generation in 2016. However, they’re still essentially earbuds that require an iPhone or other device nearby. But that may change in the future, as Apple has patented a new AirPods case with an interactive display.

Engineer Ken Pillonel was the first to modify iPhone with a working USB-C port in 2021 and he did the same for the AirPods and AirPods Pro cases. Now Ken is back with what he’s calling his “most innovative project so far,” USB-C wired AirPods.

Apple’s AirTag has become known for helping people find their lost items, but there are other Apple products that also work with the Find My network – including AirPods. This time, a woman who lost her wireless earbuds on a plane tracked them to the home of an airline employee.

A new deal between Foxconn and Apple will see AirPods manufactured in India for the first time. Via Reuters, Foxconn is investing $200 million in a new factory in India that will produce Apple’s wireless earbuds, among other products.

Although AirPods manufacturing offers much lower margins than what Foxconn makes on iPhone production, the company reportedly went ahead with the deal to “reinforce engagement” with Apple. Apple specifically requested an Indian production site, as the company prioritizes diversification from China.

Apple itself has acknowledged the health potential of AirPods, teasing that it’s an area in which it’s heavily investing. Now, Bloomberg reports that we can expect Apple to launch new health features for AirPods sometime in the next year or two.

Update, March 7, 2023: Beats has debuted a new ad spot for Beats Fit Pro today featuring tennis star Frances Tiafoe. Check it out below.

Beats is expanding its lineup of Beats Fit Pro wireless earbuds with a trio of new colors. Beats Fit Pro first launched in November 2021 with an impressive set of features, including Apple’s H1 chip, Active Noise Cancellation, and Transparency Mode.

Starting this week, Beats Fit Pro will be available in three new colors: Coral Pink, Volt Yellow, and Tidal Blue.

Hot on the heels of data showing just how dominant the iPhone was in 2022, Canalys is out with its breakdown of the “smart personal audio market” for Q4 of 2022. As you might expect, Apple had a dominant holiday quarter, even though its own shipments and the overall market took a year-over-year tumble.

A major AirPods supplier says that US client reps have been visiting the company on an almost daily basis to ask when it can move out of China. While Apple is not explicitly named, it is near-certain that it is one of the companies applying pressure.

The Chinese contract manufacturing giant said that it is investing in Vietnam, as well as considering expanding into India …

One of the steps Apple is expected to take in reducing its dependence on China is to have some AirPods made in India – in addition to those already made in Vietnam.

The company has already asked two of its AirPods suppliers to move some of that work to India, and it’s today reported that Apple has commissioned an Indian company to produce the plastic enclosures for the in-ear devices …

The Apple Back to School promo has traditionally offered students a pair of free AirPods, in addition to the usual education discount. That changed in the US last year, with Apple instead offering gift cards worth up to $150 – but the company appears to have switched back to AirPods this year.

The 2023 Back to School promo has launched in a number of countries in the southern hemisphere, and Apple is offering a pair of AirPods, plus the usual additional discount on AppleCare+ …

Following the release of iOS 16.3 RC to developers and public beta users earlier today, Apple is now rolling out a firmware update for the second and third generation AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. Today’s updates follow firmware updates that were released for the AirPods family in November 2022.

Apple currently sells four different models of AirPods, ranging from the second-generation AirPods to the advanced AirPods Max. And while AirPods have become quite popular earphones, they’re not exactly cheap. But according to analyst Jeff Pu of Haitong Intl Tech Research, the company is now working on new “AirPods Lite” to compete with cheaper wireless earbuds.

With a successful AirPods line, it’s only natural for users to wonder when Apple will release a new generation of the AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. Head below as we round up the latest rumors on when expecting a new version of each of these products…

Strong AirPods Pro 2 sales played a major role in Apple substantially increasing its share of the TWS (True Wireless Stereo) market, according to a new market intelligence report.

Apple substantially grew its already-strong lead over the rest of the market during Q3, as second-placed Samsung saw its Galaxy Buds shipments fall by 25% …