Apple AirPods 3, most likely to be called AirPods Pro, it seems, will launch in days – if not hours. The latest reports claim a reveal to press this week and a range of new colors for the earbuds and the charging case.
Here’s everything we know.
Apple AirPods must be one of the most successful products the company has ever delivered. Since the launch in late December 2016, through the release of the second-generation model on March 20, 2019, demand has been consistently high, usually as fast as Apple can make them.
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New features on board
The third-generation AirPods look like they will boast a number of new features: a new design with new materials and earbuds which will fit more snugly, offering noise isolation and better protection against the wet, so you can wear them in the rain, for instance.
It looks like they will have a standout feature: noise-canceling. Apple is not first with this technology for true wireless in-ears. Most notably, Sony’s magnificent WF1000XM3 earbuds have recently drawn great reviews for good design and outstanding audio.
Huawei’s Freebuds 3 – which I’ve been using for several weeks – also have noise-canceling and, I can report, sound fantastic. Check back for my full review soon.
But AirPods with noise-canceling are likely to be a real crowd-pleaser, even if – as the Taiwanese site Economic Daily News, reports, they will be the most expensive AirPods yet, costing $260, it’s claimed.
New colors
In a Google Translate version of the post, the Economic Daily News says that the new AirPods will come in up to eight colors. Well, that’s a lot and I don’t quite believe it.
Specified colors include the exact shades found on that other Pro model of the moment, the iPhone 11 Pro, that is, midnight green, gold, silver and space gray. If AirPods Pro really do arrive in those four colors, that will be splendid.
Release date
The Economic Daily News is a touch vague on the release of the new AirPods, saying only end of October this year or perhaps as far off as 2020.
Until this weekend, I’ve believed that end of October was pretty nearly definite – although, frankly, until an announcement is made, nothing is certain. Mostly, it’s down to the appearance of an icon of the new earbuds in the iOS 13.2 beta which, as you can read here, is likely to appear as a public release in the next few days.
Though the AirPods could come any time after the next software, of course, it’s my belief that Apple will time the release so it all happens at the same time. That’s the way Cupertino likes to do things.
And in the last few hours, another voice has been added to the throng of suggestions about the release date.
Ben Geskin, a man in the know if ever there was one, has tweeted that he believes that AirPods Pro will go on sale next week.
He also opines that AirPods Pro – and he provides an eye-catching image of what they will look like – will be shown to the press next Tuesday or Wednesday in local venues in different countries.
Now, if I know Apple, and with no false modesty, I hope I do, there is literally no way Apple will show an unannounced product to the press.
If Geskin is right, this means that Apple will announce the AirPods before any press event. Which means AirPods Pro will be unveiled on Tuesday, October 29 or Wednesday, October 30 at the latest, whichever is the date chosen for a press unveiling. Apple knows that we journalists won’t be able to keep our mouths shut as soon as we see them.
Seriously, that is mind-bogglingly close. I’ll be updating this story if there are further developments though, to be frank, it’s likely that will be to say that the new AirPods have been announced. Please check back for more information.
Oh, and yes, I’m holding my breath, for sure.
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More on Forbes: When, Exactly, Apple Will Release iOS 13.2 And Why It Matters
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