A new pair of Apple wireless headphones were tipped this weekend, likely coming to the company's lineup at their next big event. As the company's wireless earbuds seem to have sold extraordinarily well since launch, there's a question of branding in the mix. Why did Apple buy Beats Electronics if not for their audio superiority?
Beats, the Apple-owned lineup of audio hardware, has produced what might be their finest headphones to date. The Studio3 Wireless are (as you may have guessed by now) wireless, have noice cancellation and the Beats styling and sound profile many have grown to know and love. It’s not the first time the company has put all these features together in the same package, so how does the latest iteration hold up to scrutiny? We put a pair through their paces.
This week the Fitbit Iconic smartwatch and the Fitbit Flyer wireless headphones got their release details in order. The folks at Fitbit appear to be aiming to expand their fitness device empire beyond the fitness tracker business, moving to all manner of accessories (that just happen to do similar things). The Fitbit Iconic attempts to take the market where Apple Watch reigns supreme, while the Fitbit Flyer seem to be made to take on Beats (also owned by Apple).
Budget not already blown by the iPhone X, Apple Watch Series 3, and everything else Apple just announced? Don't forget to set aside a little of your credit limit - assuming Equifax hasn't destroyed it inadvertently - to pick up Apple's newest headphones, the urBeats3. They're targeting those who aren't quite ready to cut the cord completely.
Sony is perhaps the outlier in that it wants to actually harmoniously mix your music with ambient noise. Almost all headphone makers want to cancel out those external sounds instead. Apple-owned Beats is no exception and has already introduced noise cancellation in its previous gen Studio 2 headphones. With the new Beats Studio 3, however, it is taking that technology to a new and different direction. Beats calls it Pure ANC, for Pure Adaptive Noise Cancellation.
You see a lot of people these days wearing headphones of all shapes, sizes, and designs, ranging from curious to ridiculous. Some might not care how they look as long as they sound great. Others, however, are unwilling to compromise and want both quality and beauty in a single package. For these audiophiles, Apple-owned Beats by Dre have partnered with fashion brand Balmain to introduce a new collection of wireless headphones that look as exquisite as their price tags.
Back in February, a woman on a flight from Beijing, China to Melbourne, Australia woke up to her Beats headphones catching fire while on her head. She suffered burns to her face, neck, and hands, and after throwing the headphones to the floor, they were reportedly partially melted before water was poured on them by flight attendants. Now Apple, the owner of Beats, has concluded its investigation into the incident and says the headphones' batteries were to blame.
Beats has launched the new Powerbeats 3, a pair of wireless earbuds designed for those who plan to wear them rain or shine. This newest Beats model is both sweat and water-resistant, meaning you can wear them while exercising or during a light drizzle. They're also wireless, removing the cable tether, but with a design meant to keep them firmly in your ears. Deliveries start November 1.
Beyond the already-spoken reasons Apple bought Beats, it occurred to me just recently that there might've been a less obvious line of reasoning, one that had to do with the iPhone 7. On July 28th of 2016, NPD Group's Retail Tracking Service reported that, for the first time in the history of headphones, Bluetooth headphone revenue overtook non-Bluetooth. To see this coming many, many moons ahead of time, Apple may only have had to purchase the biggest brand in headphones.
Beats by Dr. Dre has rolled out a new line up of three products that are all wireless earphones. The new line of products include the Beats X, Powerbeats 3, and Beats Solo 3 earphones and headphones. All three of the products are wireless and all use the new Apple W1 chip, Class 1 Bluetooth, and Fast Fuel charging systems.
Apple has a press event scheduled for this upcoming Wednesday, and there's no doubt that we'll finally, once and for all, get to see the new iPhone 7. It's also very likely we'll see EarPod headphones in the form of Lightning connector-equipped models, and possibly a wireless version. What wasn't so expected was new products from Apple's headphone brand Beats, but according to a new leak, it looks like they'll be up on the stage too.
Musician Dr Dre has been tipped to be creating a semi-autobiographical TV show with Apple by the name of Vital Signs. At this time it is not clear where the first season of this show will debut, but if you're betting, you'd do well to bet on an Apple product like Apple TV and/or iTunes. Dre helped made Beats by Dre explode as a headphone brand then a music service, following up by an acquisition by Apple. Now the video age begins.