Apple has announced its wireless AirPods earphones will not be ready for their scheduled release before the end of the month.
The buds, which attempt to atone for the lack of a headphone jack in the iPhone 7, were announced in early September alongside this year’s handsets.
Apple says fans are psyched about the new W1 chip-enabled audio accessories, but will be taking a ‘little more time’ to get them ready for prime time.
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In a statement released to TechCrunch, the company said: “The early response to AirPods has been incredible. We don’t believe in shipping a product before it’s ready, and we need a little more time before AirPods are ready for our customers.”
There is no further word on the reason for the delay.
Since the announcement, the AirPods have received a mixed reception to say the least.
They’ve been derided for their toothbrush-like design as well as the proprietary W1 tech that means they won’t work with non-Apple products.
They have also been criticised for their astonishing $159/£159 price-tag and their lose-ability, which can be offset by the inevitable launch of a neck strap.
Some reviews have dubbed them “like wearing a toothbrush” while others have claimed they’re “just as bad as you thought they’d be.”
They’ve also been praised for the secure fit and the easy pairing with the iPhone 7.
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Will you be buying the Apple AirPods whenever they arrive? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
