Apple's second-generation AirPods Pro Charging Case is equipped with a set of little metal holes at the right side, with the holes designed to accommodate a lanyard. Apple does not provide a lanyard with the AirPods Pro, and is in fact selling just one on its website and in retail stores.
The Incase Lanyard is priced at $12.95, and it was designed with the AirPods Pro in mind, launching on the same day as the new earbuds. The lanyard features a thin gray strap that slides into the holes of the AirPods Pro and then loops to hold on securely.
It is a standardized lanyard design that is used for all kinds of accessories, and you're probably familiar with it if you've worn a badge or had a smartphone case with a lanyard loop available. The loop that attaches to the AirPods Pro is in turn attached to a lighter gray plastic clip, and at the end of the plastic clip, there is a longer, thicker gray braided loop that can be wrapped around the wrist or looped over a backpack or bag strap.
I like to attach my AirPods Pro to an inside zipper inside my backpack, leaving it accessible while also hiding it from view. The aforementioned clip can be used for attaching the Incase Lanyard to objects as you can loop it over and then tuck the strap into the clip's edge. The clip is tight, so it does feel secure. I have also used the wrist strap for carrying the AirPods Pro when I don't have a bag with me, and I feel that it's comfortable and secure. I appreciate the braided design, but the all gray design is boring. I wish Apple and Incase offered the Incase Lanyard in a better range of colors.
If you're using the Incase Lanyard to attach the AirPods Pro to keys, your wrist, or the outside of a bag, it is worth noting that there is no mechanism that secures the case of the AirPods Pro itself. Should the AirPods Pro 2 lid happen to pop open, your AirPods could fall out.
Incase says that the lanyard measures in at 9.25 inches long, and that felt like a good length for use as a wrist strap, if a little long. I did put effort into pulling on both sides of the plastic clip, and the lanyard feels well made and durable.
All in all, the Incase Lanyard is fine, and I have no complaints about it. It serves its purpose, and seems like it will hold up for quite some time. I do want to point out that at $13, it's not going to break the bank, but it is comparatively expensive. On Amazon.com, you can buy multi-packs of lanyards for half as much since you can use any lanyard with the skinny loop design.
After updating last week, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max owners running the AirPods firmware beta found an "Adaptive Transparency" toggle in the AirPods settings, and it was initially assumed that Apple had brought the Adaptive Transparency feature of the AirPods Pro 2 to older AirPods models.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman yesterday said that the Adaptive Transparency option was actually a bug, which Apple has now confirmed by removing the setting in the current beta. It was decidedly curious that Apple opted to bring a major AirPods Pro 2 feature to the original AirPods Pro, so it makes sense that it was a mistake and that the setting was accidentally made visible on devices that do not support it.
Adaptive Transparency is an AirPods Pro 2-exclusive feature that is enabled by the new H2 chip in the device. It is designed to allow the AirPods Pro to quiet loud sounds, such as sirens, construction work, or loud speakers at a concert without blocking out all noise.
Apple today seeded the fourth beta of iOS 16.1 to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming one week after the release of the third iOS 16.1 beta. The iOS 16.1 beta is also joined by the fifth beta of iPadOS 16.1, which is on a slightly different schedule as Apple started testing it prior to the launch of iOS 16.
Registered developers can download the iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 profiles from the Apple Developer Center, and once installed, the betas will be available over the air.
Live Activities cannot be used at the current time as developers still need to update their apps to add support, but it will be available when iOS 16.1 launches. Developers have access to an ActivityKit API to begin getting their apps ready.
The update also introduces a new Clean Energy Charging feature in the United States that is designed to selectively charge when lower carbon emission electricity is available, plus it lays the groundwork for Matter, a new smart home standard that Apple plans to begin supporting this fall.
Matter will allow for interoperability between smart devices from different companies, and Apple, Google, Samsung, Amazon, and others are working on support.
On the iPad, iPadOS 16 will expand the Stage Manager feature to the 2018 and 2020 iPad Pro models, and it is no longer limited to the M1 iPad Pro and M1 iPad Air. The beta removes the external display function of Stage Manager, and this feature will return in a later beta. External display support will remain limited to the M1 iPad models even though older iPad Pro models are now able to use Stage Manager.
During the beta, Apple tweaked the design of the battery status bar icon, adding a visual indication of charge level. It also changed the battery font, updated the Lock Screen charging indicator, and fixed a copy and paste bug.
Other new features in the update include a deletable Wallet app, changes to the Lock Screen customizing interface, and more, with details available in our iOS 16.1 feature guide.
Apple today seeded the tenth beta of macOS 13 Ventura, the next-generation version of the Mac operating system that's set to launch this fall. The tenth beta comes one week after Apple provided the ninth beta to developers.
Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and once the appropriate profile is installed, betas will be available through the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences.
macOS Ventura introduces Stage Manager, a new feature that lets Mac users focus on a task while keeping other apps at the ready for easy swapping between tasks. The update adds Continuity Camera, which is designed to let you use the iPhone as a webcam for your Mac. It supports Center Stage, Desk View (for showing off your desk), and Studio Light.
Handoff is now available for FaceTime so you can transfer calls between iPhone, iPad, and Mac at will, and Messages supports features for marking an iMessage as unread, unsending an iMessage, and marking as unread. SharePlay also now works in the Messages app.
The Mail app supports scheduling and undoing emails for up to 10 seconds after they're sent, and there are now Weather and Clock apps that are available on the Mac. System Preferences has been renamed System Settings, and it features an iOS-like design.
Safari supports Shared Tab Groups and Apple is working on Passkeys, a next-generation credential that replaces the password. There are updates to Spotlight, Photo Library has new features, and Metal 3 is included in macOS Ventura for better graphics in games.
For everything new in macOS Ventura, we have a dedicated roundup that goes through all of the features. macOS Ventura is set to see a public release in October.
Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming tvOS 16.1 update to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming one week after the launch of the third beta.
tvOS updates are typically minor, focusing on under-the-hood bug fixes and improvements rather than outward-facing changes. No new features were found in the first beta of tvOS 16.1.
Apple shares some information on tvOS releases in its tvOS support document, which is updated after each tvOS launch. tvOS 16 brought enhanced multiuser support, Personalized Spatial Audio when using AirPods, and Accessibility improvements.
Though we don't often know what's new in tvOS during the beta testing process, we let MacRumors readers know when new updates are available so those who are developers can download it upon release.
Billionaire Elon Musk has once again reversed course in the ongoing Twitter acquisition saga, today sending a letter to Twitter proposing a purchase at the original price, reports Bloomberg.
Musk originally offered to buy Twitter for $44 billion in April ($54.20 per share), a deal that Twitter ultimately accepted. Musk in May put the takeover "temporarily on hold" because of a dispute over the number of fake or spam accounts that Twitter claimed to have. Twitter said that fake accounts represented less than five percent of users, but Musk was not convinced.
In July, Musk decided he no longer wanted to buy Twitter and attempted to call off the purchase, claiming that Twitter did not comply with its contractual obligations and that he was not provided with the relevant business information that he requested.
Twitter in turn filed a lawsuit to force Musk to go on with the sale, accusing him of trashing the company, disrupting its operations, and destroying stockholder value. Musk's decision to offer to continue on with the purchase comes ahead of a trial that was set to begin on October 17. With Musk once again on board, it is probable that the acquisition will go through, provided he does not change his mind again.
The Connectivity Standards Alliance and its members that include Apple, Google, Amazon, Samsung, and other smart home manufacturers, today announced the official launch of the Matter 1.0 smart home accessory standard.
Companies that have agreed to support Matter now have all of the resources that they need to begin implementing Matter into their platforms, so we could see Apple integrating Matter into HomeKit very soon. In fact, iOS 16.1 is already laying the groundwork for Matter, so Matter could be announced with the launch of the update.
"What started as a mission to unravel the complexities of connectivity has resulted in Matter, a single, global IP-based protocol that will fundamentally change the IoT," said Tobin Richardson, President and CEO of the Connectivity Standards Alliance. "This release is the first step on a journey our community and the industry are taking to make the IoT more simple, secure, and valuable no matter who you are or where you live. With global support from companies large and small, today's Matter 1.0 release is more than a milestone for our organization and our members; it is a celebration of what is possible."
With the Matter 1.0 launch, authorized test labs are now available for product certification, tools are available, and the open-source reference design SDK is complete. Alliance members with devices that have already been deployed and with plans to update their products with Matter support can do so as soon as their products are certified.
Matter is an internet of things standard that is designed to improve interoperability of smart devices between brands, so HomeKit devices can work with other smart home devices from Google, Amazon, and others. Matter works over Wi-Fi and Thread, with Wi-Fi allowing smart home devices to communicate with the cloud and Thread offering an energy efficient and reliable mesh network in the home.
The Connectivity Standards Alliance says that the first release of Matter will support a variety of smart home products such as lighting, HVAC controls, window coverings, safety and security sensors, door locks, media devices, controllers, and bridges.
Cydia parent company SaurikIT, LLC has filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit after U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers dismissed the company's antitrust lawsuit against Apple last month, according to court documents. SaurikIT had voluntarily asked for the case to be dismissed so the appeal process could begin at the higher court.
SaurikIT sued Apple in late 2020, alleging that the company has an illegal monopoly over iOS app distribution given that the App Store is the only authorized marketplace where users can download apps on the iPhone and iPad. The complaint also alleged that Apple has "consistently tried to snuff out alternative app stores," including Cydia.
Cydia launched in early 2008, months before Apple's own App Store. The app allows users who "jailbreak" their iPhone or iPad to install apps outside of the App Store, as well as themes and tweaks that customize the look and functionality of iOS. For example, long before Apple introduced the Control Center on the iPhone, there was a tweak available on Cydia called SBSettings that offered similar functionality.
The lawsuit alleged that Cydia was the "the App Store before the App Store" and the "first comprehensive solution" for expanding the iPhone's capabilities, although it's worth noting that another unofficial App Store known as Installer launched prior to Cydia.
SaurikIT is owned by Jay Freeman, who is one of several developers and companies who have sued Apple for alleged anticompetitive behavior in relation to the App Store over the past few years, with others including Fortnite creator Epic Games, streaming music service Spotify, FlickType keyboard app creator Kosta Eleftheriou, and more.
Apple has repeatedly denied that the App Store is a monopoly given that it faces competition from the Google Play store on Android devices. Apple has also repeatedly touted the privacy and security benefits of the App Store, arguing that third-party app stores on the iPhone could expose users to fraud, malware, and other risks.
A bug is alerting some second-generation AirPods Pro users to "replace" their battery soon, according to various online reports.
The bug seems to trigger battery replacement notifications from the Find My app on nearby devices when the battery of the AirPods Pro earbuds or MagSafe Charging Case is low. The second-generation AirPods Pro feature enhanced Find My functionality thanks to a U1 chip for Precision Finding and transmit their battery levels at all times, so it seems likely that the alert relates to these new features.
The notifications urge the user to "replace the battery on... soon," even though it is not possible to replace AirPods batteries and the device simply needs to be recharged. Users experiencing the bug may not be immediately aware that it relates to their AirPods Pro, since the item is referred to in notifications as simply "left," "right," or "Case," leading to somewhat incoherent alerts.
The notifications seems similar to that used for the AirTag when its CR2032 battery is almost depleted and needs to be replaced, so it seems that the system is conflating the two products. One theory suggests that Apple used much of the AirTag's firmware for the MagSafe Charging Case, causing identical alerts even where they do not make sense.
Users have complained about the bug on the MacRumors forums and Reddit, but it is not clear how widespread the issue is. While Apple has not yet acknowledged the bug, it will likely be resolved via a software update in due course.
Amazon today introduced a new all-time low price on the 2019 AirPods 2 with Wired Charging Case, available for $79.00, down from $129.00. The headphones are in stock and ready to ship today, with a delivery estimate between October 6 - 9.
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This price beats the previous record low price by about $10, and that previous best-ever price is one we haven't seen since last Black Friday. We don't know how sales will go this holiday shopping season, but right now this is a great chance to get a pair of AirPods at an ultra-low entry-level price.
This is the version of the AirPods 2 that comes with a Wired Charging Case, made to be used with an Apple Lightning Cable. Apple discontinued the AirPods 2 with Wireless Charging Case with the launch of the AirPods 3.
We track sales for every model of the AirPods in our Best AirPods Deals guide, so be sure to bookmark that page while you shop around for the wireless headphones.
The popular email client Spark today announced a significant redesign for its Mac app, introducing new features to make it easier for users to manage their emails, reduce distractions, and have a more streamlined emailing workflow.
Spark on the Mac now has an entirely new design that maintains the same elements as before, such as a unified inbox, but with new additional features. Now, the new design introduces bundles for different email categories such as newsletters and notifications. Emails can now be marked as "done" rather than unread in the new Smart Inbox as part of Spark's goal to rethink how people interact with emails.
Spark is also introducing a new feature called Gatekeeper, which automatically scans all incoming emails from new senders and displays them as cards at the top of the inbox. Users can now choose to accept the incoming email from the sender or block the sender entirely.
Unlike before, Spark is moving to a new subscription-based model. The free version of Spark now includes the same features as before, along with the unified inbox, the new smart inbox, and the updated design. Spark Premium users will gain access to addtional new features, including Gatekeeper, a new Home Screen that helps users take a break from emails, muting threads, and more.
For new individual users, Spark Premium will cost $59.99 for an annual subscription, which is the equivalent of $4.99 per month. The monthly subscription will cost $7.99 for individual users. Existing users of Spark will get a lifetime 30% discount on an annual subscription, while the monthly price remains at $7.99. For the first time, Spark is now available on Windows.
Gamevice today announced that it is now accepting pre-orders for its latest gaming controller, the Gamevice Flex, which is designed to accommodate iPhones with cases of all sizes so there is no need to remove the case to play.
The two sides of the Flex pull apart so that an iPhone can be placed in the middle, and then it closes around the sides of the iPhone for a secure fit. There is a built-in Lightning port for the iPhone version that allows for a connection to the Gamevice app.
Gamevice designed the Flex with an Xbox controller layout, so it will be familiar to Xbox fans, plus the company says it has been created with enhanced ergonomics for more comfortable gameplay sessions. There are full-sized joysticks, hall effect triggers, a headphone jack, and a built-in Lightning connector for charging the iPhone though a passthrough USB-C port.
iPhone users can play any game that supports gaming controllers with the Gamevice Flex.
The Gamevice Flex is available for pre-order as of today and it will launch on October 25. Preorders come with a free one-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
Earlier today, the European Parliament voted in favor of enforcing a standard charger across all smartphones and a wide range of consumer electronic devices by the end of 2024, including new products released by Apple thereafter.
The new rule will directly and most heavily impact Apple, which across a wide range of products, continues to use a decade-old port. Below, we've listed some of the most popular Apple products that currently feature Lightning but will have to adopt USB-C if newer models go on sale in 2025 or later to comply with the new law.
iPhone (the first iPhone with a USB-C port is actually rumored to be next year's iPhone 15)
Entry-level iPad: The only iPad that currently still features a Lightning connector
AirPods Charging Case: All AirPods cases continue to feature the Lightning port
Apple introduced the Lightning port in 2012 as part of the iPhone 5 redesign, promising improved durability and ease of use compared to the 30-pin connector used on previous iPhones. During its announcement in 2012, Phil Schiller called the Lightning port a "modern connector for the next decade."
While Apple has chosen to bring USB-C to many of its iPad models, it has for the most part stuck with Lightning for its most popular products. Meanwhile, the rest of the industry has overwhelmingly moved to USB-C. A majority of Android flagship smartphones feature USB-C, and the port has become the standard for consumer products for makers and customers alike.
Apple's iPhone exports from India have amounted to $1 billion in the five months since April, as the country makes headway in its bid to become a major electronics manufacturing hub for Apple (via Bloomberg).
According to Bloomberg's sources, shipments of India-made iPhones to Europe and the Middle East are set to reach $2.5 billion by March 2023, almost doubling the $1.3 billion worth of iPhones the country exported in the year through March 2022.
While small by China's standards, India's increasing iPhone output signals the strength of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's local manufacturing policies and Apple's willingness to plough investment into the country as an alternative to China's electronics assembly hegemony and the disruptive geopolitical issues that come with it.
"The healthy growth in Apple's manufacturing scale and export shows India is gradually assuming an important position in the company's China plus one strategy," Navkendar Singh, an analyst at tech researcher IDC, told Bloomberg. "And for India, this a big sign of the success of its financial incentives scheme."
Apple's Taiwanese assembly partners Foxconn, Wistron, and Pegatron all have iPhone manufacturing plants in India, where iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and most recently iPhone 14 models are being produced. Apple recently announced it had begun iPhone 14 assembly in the country, while reducing the delay between Chinese and India output from months to weeks.
In diversifying its production lines away from China, Apple is playing a long game that won't see a major impact on its supply chain for many years. Bloomberg recently reported that it would take around eight years to move just 10% of Apple's production capacity out of China, where about 98% of iPhones are still made.
Update 11/5: According to Nikkei Asia, Apple is also asking suppliers to move some AirPods and Beats headphone production to India for the first time, with partners Luxshare and Foxconn poised to switch assembly of said products to the country.
The European Parliament today voted overwhelmingly in favor of enforcing USB-C as a common charging port across a wide range of consumer electronic devices, including the iPhone and AirPods, by the end of 2024.
The proposal, known as a directive, forces all consumer electronics manufacturers who sell their products in Europe to ensure that a wide range of devices feature a USB-C port. This "common port" will be a world-first statute and impact Apple in particular since it widely uses the Lightning connector instead of USB-C on many of its devices. MEPs claim that the move will reduce electronic waste, address product sustainability, and make use of different devices more convenient.
The directive received 602 votes in favor, 13 votes against, and eight abstentions. A press release issued by the European Parliament earlier today states:
By the end of 2024, all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. From spring 2026, the obligation will extend to laptops. The new law, adopted by plenary on Tuesday with 602 votes in favour, 13 against and 8 abstentions, is part of a broader EU effort to reduce e-waste and to empower consumers to make more sustainable choices.
Under the new rules, consumers will no longer need a different charger every time they purchase a new device, as they will be able to use one single charger for a whole range of small and medium-sized portable electronic devices.
Regardless of their manufacturer, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earbuds and laptops that are rechargeable via a wired cable, operating with a power delivery of up to 100 Watts, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port.
All devices that support fast charging will now have the same charging speed, allowing users to charge their devices at the same speed with any compatible charger.
Exemptions will apply for devices that are too small to offer a USB-C port, such as smart watches, health trackers, and some sports equipment, but the legislation is expected to be expanded to other devices over time. Companies will also have to ensure that dedicated labels clearly inform consumers about the charging characteristics of devices they buy.
In addition, the EU seeks to ensure that wireless charging solutions are interoperable as the technology evolves over time. The directive empowers the European Commission to develop delegated acts by the end of 2024 that force companies to make their custom wireless charging solutions more open and meet interoperability standards, helping consumers to avoid getting locked into proprietary charging solutions while preventing fragmentation and reducing waste. It is not clear if this would include Apple's MagSafe charging system for the iPhone and AirPods since it is based on the Qi wireless charging standard.
Now, the European Council must approve the directive so that it can be published in the EU Official Journal. It will come into force 20 days after publication in the EU Official Journal and its requirements will start to apply to new devices after 24 months. Products that went on sale before the date of application will be exempt and can continue to be sold after that point.
In 2018, the European Commission attempted to reach a final resolution on this issue but it failed to come into law. At the time, Apple warned that forcing a common charging port on the industry would stifle innovation and create electronic waste as consumers would be forced to switch to new cables.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
iOS 16 was released to the public three weeks ago with a customizable Lock Screen, the ability to edit iMessages, improvements to Focus modes, and much more. And in the coming months, iPhone and iPad users have even more new features to look forward to.
We've rounded up 10 new features coming to the iPhone and iPad later this year, according to Apple. Many of the features are part of iOS 16.1, which is currently in beta testing, but some of the features are not expected until later in the year.
iCloud Shared Photo Library
iCloud Shared Photo Library will make it easier for you to share photos with your family members or friends in the Photos app. The feature will let you and up to five other people add, edit, or remove photos in a shared library accessible via iCloud.
iOS 16.1 will expand Live Activities to third-party apps in the App Store. The feature allows iPhone users to stay on top of real-time events, such as a sports game or a food delivery order, right on the Lock Screen or in the Dynamic Island.
Live Activities appear at the bottom of the Lock Screen on iPhone 13 models and earlier, as well as on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. On the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, Live Activities appear in the Dynamic Island when the device is unlocked, or on the Lock Screen when the device is locked or in always-on display mode.
Once the iOS 16.1 Release Candidate is available, developers will be able to submit apps with Live Activities to the App Store.
The feature will also be supported in Apple's TV app for select sports leagues, including the MLB for users in the U.S., Canada, Australia, U.K., Brazil, Mexico, Japan, and South Korea, along with the NBA and Premier League for users in the U.S. and Canada only.
Emergency SOS via Satellite
All four iPhone 14 models include a new Emergency SOS via Satellite feature that is set to launch in November in the U.S. and Canada.
Emergency SOS via Satellite is designed to allow iPhone 14 models to connect directly to a satellite, allowing users to send text messages to emergency services when outside the range of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. When it launches in the U.S. and Canada, Apple says the service will be free for the first two years, which suggests that Apple might be planning to charge for the service at some point in the future.
Apple says that in "ideal conditions with a direct view of the sky and the horizon," a message might take 15 seconds to send via satellite, but it can take over a minute for a message to send "under trees with light or medium foliage."
Apple Music Classical
In August 2021, Apple announced the acquisition of classical music service Primephonic. At the time, Apple said it planned to launch a dedicated classical music app in 2022 that combined Primephonic's user interface with additional features.
iOS 16.1 includes a new Clean Energy Charging feature that Apple says "aims to decrease the carbon footprint of the iPhone by optimizing charging times for when the grid is using cleaner energy sources." The feature is available in the U.S. only.
Apple Fitness+ Without an Apple Watch
Apple Fitness+ will be available to iPhone users without an Apple Watch starting with iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16.1, and tvOS 16.1. Without an Apple Watch, iPhone users will not see real-time metrics like heart rate and calories burned during a workout.
Launched in December 2020, Apple Fitness+ features a library of over 3,000 workout and meditation videos, with new content added weekly. The subscription-based service is available through the Fitness app on the iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV in 21 countries, with U.S. pricing set at $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year.
Freeform
Apple says it will be releasing a new digital whiteboard app called Freeform for the iPhone and iPad later this year. The app is described as a "flexible canvas" that will give users the "ability to see, share, and collaborate all in one place without worrying about layouts and page sizes," complete with full support for the Apple Pencil.
Freeform will allow users to start a session from FaceTime and view updates from others right in an iMessage conversation thread.
Matter Accessories in Home App
Matter is an upcoming connectivity standard that will enable compatible smart home accessories to work together seamlessly across multiple platforms, including Apple's HomeKit, Amazon's Alexa, and Google's Home. On the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, Apple says Matter support is coming in an update to the Home app later this year.
Controlling Matter accessories with the Home app and Siri will require a HomePod, HomePod mini, Apple TV 4K, or Apple TV HD running as a home hub.
Battery Percentage Icon for More iPhones
Apple finally made battery percentage visible in the status bar again on iPhones with a notch, eliminating the need to swipe down. Starting with iOS 16.1, the optional feature is expanding to the iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 mini, and iPhone 13 mini.
Stage Manager will not have external display support on older iPad Pro models, limiting the feature to four apps on the built-in display. Apple has also delayed external display support for Stage Manager on iPad Pro and iPad Air models with the M1 chip and said this functionality will be reimplemented in a software update later this year.
Apple on September 23 officially launched the second-generation version of the AirPods Pro, introducing updated Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Transparency, improved sound, and more. Right around the same time, Bose introduced new QuietComfort II earbuds with many similar features, so we thought we'd compare the two to see which has the edge.
Both the QuietComfort II and the AirPods Pro feature in-ear designs with silicone tips, but the QuietComfort II earbuds have a short, thick body rather than a rounded body with a stem like the AirPods Pro.
The AirPods Pro 2 have an excellent fit so it's hard for the QuietComfort II to compete, but they do not move around in the ear and feel secure. Fit will mostly come down to personal preference, of course, but we found the AirPods Pro 2 to fit better, making them more comfortable to wear.
Sound quality for the QuietComfort II earbuds is neutral out of the box, but there is an EQ app that can be used to tailor the sound, something not available on the AirPods Pro 2. The app also allows for pairing with multiple devices (already available with the AirPods), and it allows for customization of the ANC feature.
As for Active Noise Cancellation, the AirPods Pro 2 win out. ANC on the QuietComfort II earbuds is okay, but it's not as good as the AirPods Pro ANC. Apple also does Transparency better, especially with the new Adaptive Transparency that can cut down on loud sounds like sirens without muting all background noise.
The QuietComfort II earbuds come with a charging case, but it's notably larger than the MagSafe charging case that comes with the AirPods Pro 2. The earbuds themselves last for about six hours, the same as the AirPods Pro 2, but the charging case adds just 18 hours of battery, while the AirPods Pro 2 charging case adds up to 24 hours of additional battery life for a total of 30 hours vs. 24 for the QuietComfort II.
Apple sells the AirPods Pro 2 for $250, while the QuietComfort II from Bose are priced at $299, so they're in the same general price bracket. One major upside to the QuietComfort II - they come in black. Apple is still only selling its AirPods Pro in white, with no black option available for those who would prefer a sleeker color.
Make sure to watch the full video up above for a side-by-side comparison of the AirPods Pro and QuietComfort II, and let us know what you think in the comments.
AirPods Max and original AirPods Pro owners noticed an Adaptive Transparency setting that had replaced the original Transparency setting shortly after upgrading to the latest iOS 16.1 and the AirPods beta firmware, and the assumption was that Apple was expanding the feature to additional devices.
Apple does not often tout new features like Adaptive Transparency and bring them to older devices, so it was a curious decision, and it makes sense that it was actually added in error. It's likely that there is no Adaptive Transparency implementation for the original AirPods Pro and AirPods Max at all, and Apple accidentally made the Adaptive Transparency setting visible for devices that do not actually support it.
Adaptive Transparency is an AirPods Pro 2 feature that Apple highlighted extensively when introducing the new earbuds, attributing it to the new H2 chip. Adaptive Transparency is designed to allow the AirPods Pro quiet loud sounds, such as sirens, construction work, or loud speakers at a concert without blocking out all noise.
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