Apple’s AirPods Launch Delayed Due to Audio Synchronization Issues
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Apple’s revolutionary new AirPods were originally scheduled to drop in October. That didn’t happen, of course, and we’re still not sure why — as Cupertino only offered that they needed “a little more time” to get the product right.
But a new report suggests that Apple is merely working out the kinks found within its new wireless headphones. One of those issues is ensuring that audio gets beamed to each earpiece independently and simultaneously to avoid any distortion, according to a source familiar with AirPods cited by the Wall Street Journal.
Normally, in traditional wireless headphones, only one of two earpieces receives a Bluetooth audio signal from a device. That one earpiece then transmits the signal to the other in the pair, something Apple is seemingly trying to avoid. Additionally, Cupertino is said to be resolving issues involved if a user loses one of the earpieces, or if one of the batteries dies. In the words of the WSJ, Apple is trying to “chart a new path for wireless headphones.”
Since they were announced, the exact launch date of AirPods has been tough to nail down. Conflicting rumors and bad reports haven’t given us a proper clue as to when Apple will launch their wireless headphones. Several rumors surrounding online retailers in Europe suggested AirPods launch dates that turned out to be false.
In the arena of more credible predictions, Analysts at Barclays predicted last month that AirPods will start production in December — although “in limited quantities.” Similarly, an email allegedly sent by Apple CEO Tim Cook in response to a customer suggested that AirPods will begin shipping over “the next few weeks.”
As of now, many analysts and new sites are predicting a January 2017 launch date for the wireless earphones. Since AirPods have largely missed the busy holiday shopping season, it might make the most sense to launch the product at the beginning of next year. On Apple’s website, AirPods are currently listed as “coming soon” and “currently unavailable.”
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]
