On December 13, 2016, Apple Inc, the most valuable publicly owned technology company in the world made waves with the release of the Apple AirPods. The AirPods were independently synced wireless earbuds which were unveiled at the event along with the iPhone 7. Owing to their sleek profile and unique design, the AirPods are arguably the most recognizable brand of earbuds available on the market.
What Are AirPods?
The original 1st generation AirPods were two white earbuds which were loosely based on the design of Apple’s wired EarPods earphones. They came housed in a carrying case with a magnetic lid and slots for the AirPods. The feature which made the AirPods so attractive to use was this carrying case. It was customizable with skins and stored charge.
This meant that all you had to do was charge the case, and you would have 15 hours of battery backup for your AirPods. The case had a discreet profile; it was a tiny package which was easily pocketable, making it very portable.
In 2019, Apple discontinued the first-generation AirPods and introduced the Airpods 2. These came with added benefits such as longer battery life, faster pairing times a newer chipset that allowed for voice control. But the feature that became the talk of the tech world was the new wireless charging case that was launched.
This case gave the AirPods the ability to be charged using a wireless pad. Moreover, this case could be bought as a standalone item and be used with the original AirPods.
Why Was Wireless Charging Introduced?
As we discussed earlier, the AirPods were released in conjunction with the iPhone 7. This is important to note as the iPhone 7 was the first iOS device to ditch the 3.5 mm headphone jack. This port has been used since the late 20th century as an interface between audio drivers and computing devices.
While the move was controversial, Apple had a vision in mind for their phones. They wanted the future of iPhones to be completely wireless and removing the headphone jack was the first step in that direction. They launched the Apple AirPods alongside the iPhone 7 as a solution for users looking to listen to music or consume content on their phones.
But there was one limitation with the AirPods that did not align with the company’s vision for a wireless future. You see, to charge the case that the AirPods are housed in, you had to use a charging cable. To address this, they released the previously mentioned wireless charging case for the AirPods 2, which was Qi Charging compatible.
How Does The AirPods Wireless Charging Work?
With the new AirPods wireless charging case, you can charge your AirPods without the hassle of wires. All you must do is place your AirPods inside the case, shut the lid and place the case on a wireless charging pad. This feature differentiates the AirPods 2 from even the best knockoff AirPods, which do not feature wireless charging.
Qi wireless charging utilizes a technology called resonant inductive coupling between the charging station and the device. Both the sender (charging station) and the device (the AirPods wireless charging case) have thin, looped copper coils installed.
When a device is placed on the charging station, current flows through the coils in it. This current creates an electromagnetic field (emf) around the copper coils that it flows through. When the Airpods are placed on the charging mat, the emf field acts upon the copper coils in the device. This creates a flow of current through them, which in turn, charges the device.
Do I Have To Buy AirPods 2 To Get Wireless Charging?
In the 21st century, when it comes to smartphones, two operating systems take the cake, these are Google’s Android platform and Apple’s iOS. They both have a large customer base, unique selling points and are market leaders in their own rights. Android is known for its open-source platform, which allows anyone to develop and use the Android OS. This is one of the reasons for the high rate of user adoption and low cost of Android handsets.
Apple, on the other hand, dominated the market when it released its iOS platform with the original iPhone in 2007. The unique selling point of iOS is the stability of its software, paramount privacy and security and most importantly, continued support for older users.
Apple extended this ethos of continuing to support its older users when it came to AirPods Wireless Charging. In the launch event for the AirPods 2, Apple announced that the users of their original AirPods could also wirelessly charge them by simply purchasing the wireless charging case. This lets older users hold on to their original AirPods until they felt comfortable with upgrading their earbuds.
Who Are The AirPods Intended For?
Apple’s AirPods are for anyone who is looking for a great, well rounded audio experience. With the drivers being designed by the renowned audio powerhouse Beats by Dre, the sound quality on the AirPods is unparalleled when it comes to truly wireless earbuds. This is a department where even the best knockoff AirPods do not hold up.
It is this sound quality that makes them perfect for the audiophile looking to enjoy their music while on the go.
The AirPods also have a built-in microphone in each of the earbuds. These microphones are great at isolated unwanted sounds, making the AirPods great for use on calls. It is their unlimited potential and ease of use as communication accessories that make them perfect for working professionals.
AirPods have even made their mark in the fashion world. They are worn by celebrities and have become a sort of fashion icon. This makes the AirPods perfect for someone looking to make a style statement.
What Is The Best Place To Buy AirPods From?
Like all other Apple products, AirPods can be purchased from a variety of avenues. For the conventional shopper who likes going to stores, they can be bought from the closest Apple Store. This gives the user the opportunity of trying the AirPods out before buying them. You can also experience the AirPods wireless charging firsthand.
They are also easily available from the official website for Apple Inc. The online purchase option from the website makes it convenient to buy the AirPods without having to leave the comfort of your home. The online Apple store also ships to countries and regions which may not have access to online marketplaces or physical Apple Stores.
Conclusion
Apple Inc has garnered the success it has by consistently delivering well thought out products for their customers. The AirPods 2 are certainly no exception to this. With the convenience, comfort and experience of its users in mind, Apple continues to push the boundaries of technology.