AirPods here to stay

A full year has passed since Apple released the first iteration of their wireless earphones, the AirPods. Upon release it was easy to crack wise at the product’s introduction. Once a mobile technology innovator, Apple has gotten a reputation of being behind the times in recent years as they have introduced their takes on features earlier introduced by other companies, such as facial recognition technology. What’s more, their recent foray into smart-watch technology was met with an icy reception. To top it all off, the fact that the unveiling of the AirPods was coupled with the decision to completely remove the headphone jack from the iPhone. The derisive murmurs started up once again: if wireless earbuds, or “hearables” as they’re increasingly called, already exist, how good – and necessary – could these AirPods possibly be?

It turns out: really good and necessary. Though the product’s release was delayed, and though they they don’t sport the prettiest design, a joint survey by Creative Strategies and Experian has found that 98% of AirPod users had positive feedback. Respondents cited sound quality and battery life as reasons for their satisfaction, and a majority of them even went so far as to say that using them made them consume more audio content. Even regarding the widely-reported complaint that they don’t fit snugly in the ears and fall out, the survey found that 93% of users were satisfied. Most of all, the AirPods’ price point is not at the high end of the spectrum, being rather competitively prices as wireless earbuds go.

To be truthful, there are lots of little reasons to love the AirPods. Much has been made about the smooth, Bluetooth-enabled connectivity with its parent device, and this combined with the fact that they sync with iCloud means that they fit well within the constellation of Apple devices. AirPods have a control system that works without having to fumble for an iPhone or look at an iWatch: audio can be set to pause automatically when removing them from the user’s ears, and Siri can be accessed by tapping them. They’re small features, but they put smiles on faces. Two things can be taken away from the success of the AirPods.

The first is good for the Apple brand, as the high satisfaction rate has not only justified their existence, but enabled their evolution. The chargeable carrying case will soon have a wireless version, and the AirPods 2 – which will allegedly have faster wireless connectivity – have been heavily rumoured for some Once low-hanging fruit for ridicule, Apple’s take on wireless earphones has justified itself. time now and may be unveiled at some point this year. It’s a good time to be an Apple fan. The second is good for the industry as a whole, as the AirPods’ success have challenged other companies in the wireless earbud game to do more.