Updated: Apple's AirPods Might Not Arrive Until January 2017
Updated: According to AppleInsider, the AirPods are still on track to arrive in 2016 and that the supply chain report is “bogus.”
Waiting is the hardest part
The earphones could provide up to 5 hours of music playback on a single charge.
Original Story:
It could be a long wait for anyone looking to purchase Apple’s completely wireless AirPods. According to a new story from China-based Economic Daily News, via Digitimes, the earphones might not hit the market until January 2017.
The story noted that manufacturer Inventec is expected to grow revenue by 7 percent year-over-year thanks to the AirPods.
Apple originally planned to release the AirPods at the end of October, but has postponed release. Inventec is expected to begin shipping AirPods in January 2017, the paper noted.
Originally unveiled back at the iPhone 7 event in September, Apple announced that the earphones would arrive at the end of October. But last week, Apple announced a delay, with a spokesperson saying the company “needed a little more time.” Apple declined to state whether the delay was caused by software or hardware issues.
The $159 AirPods have no wires and are charged in a small case. Featuring Apple’s W1 wireless chip, Apple says you can listen up to 5 hours of music before needing to recharge the earphones. The case can provide up to 24 hours of music playback. Fifteen minutes of charging can provide up to three hours of music in a pinch.
Instead of needing to go through a pairing process, the AirPods can connect automatically to all Apple devices including an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac.
The W1 chip powers two Beats-branded devices already on the market – the Powerbeats 3 Wireless Earphones and the Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones.
A holiday shopping season setback?
If the news is correct, the AirPods would be unavailable to purchase during the lucrative holiday shopping season.
Maybe the wireless future has a few more bumps than Apple expected.
