Tuesday, December 8th 2020
Apple Introduces AirPods Max, the Magic of AirPods in a Stunning Over-ear Design
Apple today announced AirPods Max, innovative wireless headphones that bring the magic of AirPods to an over-ear design with high-fidelity sound. AirPods Max combine a custom acoustic design, H1 chips, and advanced software to power computational audio for a breakthrough listening experience with Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and spatial audio. AirPods Max come in five gorgeous colors, including space gray, silver, sky blue, green, and pink, and are available to order starting today, with availability beginning Tuesday, December 15.
"AirPods are the most popular headphones in the world, beloved for their effortless setup, incredible sound quality, and iconic design. With AirPods Max, we are bringing that magical AirPods experience to a stunning over-ear design with high-fidelity audio," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "The custom acoustic design, combined with powerful H1 chips, and advanced software enable AirPods Max to use computational audio to wirelessly deliver the ultimate personal listening experience."
Custom Acoustic Design
From the canopy to the ear cushions, every part of AirPods Max is carefully crafted to provide exceptional acoustic performance for each user. The breathable knit mesh canopy, spanning the headband, is made to distribute weight and reduce on-head pressure. The stainless steel headband frame provides strength, flexibility, and comfort for a wide variety of head shapes and sizes. Telescoping headband arms smoothly extend and stay in place to maintain the desired fit.
Each ear cup attaches to the headband through a revolutionary mechanism that balances and distributes ear cup pressure, and allows it to independently pivot and rotate to fit the unique contours of a user's head. Each ear cushion uses acoustically engineered memory foam to create an effective seal — a critical factor in delivering immersive sound. The Digital Crown, inspired by Apple Watch, offers precise volume control and the ability to play or pause audio, skip tracks, answer or end phone calls, and activate Siri.
Breakthrough Listening Experience
AirPods Max feature a 40-mm Apple-designed dynamic driver that provides rich, deep bass, accurate mid-ranges, and crisp, clean high-frequency extension so every note can be heard. A unique dual neodymium ring magnet motor allows AirPods Max to maintain total harmonic distortion of less than 1 percent across the entire audible range, even at maximum volume.1 Equipped with an Apple-designed H1 chip in each ear cup, a custom acoustic design, and advanced software, AirPods Max use computational audio to deliver the highest quality listening experience possible. Utilizing each of the chips' 10 audio cores—capable of 9 billion operations per second—computational audio powers a breakthrough listening experience that includes Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and spatial audio.
AirPods Max join the existing AirPods family in delivering unparalleled wireless audio, whether a customer is listening to music, making phone calls, enjoying TV shows and movies, playing games, or interacting with Siri. The magical setup experience customers love with today's AirPods and AirPods Pro extends to AirPods Max with one-tap setup, followed by automatic pairing with all the devices signed in to a user's iCloud account, including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV.
AirPods Max automatically detect when they are on a user's head using the optical and position sensors. Once in place, AirPods Max play audio and can pause once removed or when the user simply lifts one ear cup. With AirPods Max, voice calls and Siri commands are crisp and clear due to beam-forming microphones that block out ambient noise and focus on the user's voice.
Battery and Performance
AirPods Max feature great battery life with up to 20 hours of high-fidelity audio, talk time, or movie playback with Active Noise Cancellation and spatial audio enabled.
AirPods Max come with a soft, slim Smart Case that puts AirPods Max in an ultralow power state that helps to preserve battery charge when not in use.
Additional Features
"AirPods are the most popular headphones in the world, beloved for their effortless setup, incredible sound quality, and iconic design. With AirPods Max, we are bringing that magical AirPods experience to a stunning over-ear design with high-fidelity audio," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "The custom acoustic design, combined with powerful H1 chips, and advanced software enable AirPods Max to use computational audio to wirelessly deliver the ultimate personal listening experience."
From the canopy to the ear cushions, every part of AirPods Max is carefully crafted to provide exceptional acoustic performance for each user. The breathable knit mesh canopy, spanning the headband, is made to distribute weight and reduce on-head pressure. The stainless steel headband frame provides strength, flexibility, and comfort for a wide variety of head shapes and sizes. Telescoping headband arms smoothly extend and stay in place to maintain the desired fit.
Each ear cup attaches to the headband through a revolutionary mechanism that balances and distributes ear cup pressure, and allows it to independently pivot and rotate to fit the unique contours of a user's head. Each ear cushion uses acoustically engineered memory foam to create an effective seal — a critical factor in delivering immersive sound. The Digital Crown, inspired by Apple Watch, offers precise volume control and the ability to play or pause audio, skip tracks, answer or end phone calls, and activate Siri.
Breakthrough Listening Experience
AirPods Max feature a 40-mm Apple-designed dynamic driver that provides rich, deep bass, accurate mid-ranges, and crisp, clean high-frequency extension so every note can be heard. A unique dual neodymium ring magnet motor allows AirPods Max to maintain total harmonic distortion of less than 1 percent across the entire audible range, even at maximum volume.1 Equipped with an Apple-designed H1 chip in each ear cup, a custom acoustic design, and advanced software, AirPods Max use computational audio to deliver the highest quality listening experience possible. Utilizing each of the chips' 10 audio cores—capable of 9 billion operations per second—computational audio powers a breakthrough listening experience that includes Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and spatial audio.
- Adaptive EQ: AirPods Max use Adaptive EQ to adjust the sound to the fit and seal of the ear cushions by measuring the sound signal delivered to a user and adjusting the low and mid-frequencies in real time—bringing rich audio that captures every detail.
- Active Noise Cancellation: AirPods Max deliver immersive sound through Active Noise Cancellation so users can focus on what they are listening to. Each ear cup features three outward-facing microphones to detect environmental noise, while one microphone inside the ear cup monitors the sound reaching the listener's ear. Using computational audio, noise cancellation continuously adapts to the headphone fit and movement in real time.
- Transparency Mode: With AirPods Max, users can switch to Transparency mode to simultaneously listen to music while hearing the environment around them—ensuring everything, including a user's own voice, sounds natural while audio plays perfectly. Switching between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode can be done with a single press using the noise control button.
- Spatial Audio: AirPods Max use spatial audio with dynamic head tracking to place sounds virtually anywhere in a space — delivering an immersive, theaterlike experience for content recorded in 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos. Using the gyroscope and accelerometer in AirPods Max and iPhone or iPad, spatial audio tracks the motion of a user's head as well as the device, compares the motion data, then remaps the sound field so it stays anchored to the device, even as the user's head moves.
AirPods Max join the existing AirPods family in delivering unparalleled wireless audio, whether a customer is listening to music, making phone calls, enjoying TV shows and movies, playing games, or interacting with Siri. The magical setup experience customers love with today's AirPods and AirPods Pro extends to AirPods Max with one-tap setup, followed by automatic pairing with all the devices signed in to a user's iCloud account, including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV.
AirPods Max automatically detect when they are on a user's head using the optical and position sensors. Once in place, AirPods Max play audio and can pause once removed or when the user simply lifts one ear cup. With AirPods Max, voice calls and Siri commands are crisp and clear due to beam-forming microphones that block out ambient noise and focus on the user's voice.
Battery and Performance
AirPods Max feature great battery life with up to 20 hours of high-fidelity audio, talk time, or movie playback with Active Noise Cancellation and spatial audio enabled.
AirPods Max come with a soft, slim Smart Case that puts AirPods Max in an ultralow power state that helps to preserve battery charge when not in use.
Additional Features
- Automatic switching allows users to seamlessly move sound between iPhone, iPad, and Mac. When playing music on Mac, users can easily take a call on iPhone and AirPods Max will automatically switch over.
- Audio Sharing makes it possible to easily share an audio stream between two sets of AirPods on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple TV 4K. Simply bring AirPods Max near the device and connect with a single tap.3
- Siri capabilities include the ability to play music, make phone calls, control the volume, get directions, and more. Siri can also read incoming messages as they arrive with Announce Messages with Siri.
- AirPods Max are available to order starting today for $549 (US) from apple.com and in the Apple Store app in the US and more than 25 other countries and regions. AirPods Max will begin shipping on Tuesday, December 15.
- AirPods Max require Apple devices running iOS 14.3 or later, iPadOS 14.3 or later, macOS Big Sur 11.1 or later, watchOS 7.2 or later, or tvOS 14.3 or later.
- AirPods start at $159 (US) and AirPods Pro are available for $249 (US).
- Customers can add personal engraving to AirPods Max, AirPods Pro, and AirPods for free on apple.com and in the Apple Store app.
- Customers are able to find the same great shopping and support services at apple.com/shop, in the Apple Store app, and at Apple Store locations. Customers can get shopping help from Apple Specialists, choose monthly financing options, get special carrier offers for iPhone, trade in eligible devices, and get Support services and no-contact delivery or Apple Store pickup options. Customers are encouraged to check apple.com/retail for more information on the health and safety measures in place, and the services available, at their local store.
- Pickup options include in-store, curbside, or Express storefront, and vary by store. Same-day delivery may also be available. Customers can check apple.com/retail for services available at their local store.
- With Apple Card, customers in the US get 3 percent Daily Cash back when they buy directly from Apple and have the option to choose Apple Card Monthly Installments so they can pay over time, interest-free.
85 Comments on Apple Introduces AirPods Max, the Magic of AirPods in a Stunning Over-ear Design
As for this, it isn't out yet so there's no way to tell how good it is.
www.computerworld.com/article/3452847/ibm-mac-users-are-happier-and-more-productive.html
BTW, my wife was sold on not getting a Mac for work anymore after the first two months with that machine. Now after three years she can pic a new laptop for work and will get probably get one from Dell.
The only good thing about that MBP is, that we can buy it off her employer now after the three years for 300 bucks and since Macs are very stable on that 2nd hand market, we'll make quite a handsome profit on selling that bloody thing off to some other blind Mac lover in January ;)
:roll: that would not be my word of choice ... also the name ... genius ... so much "woaaaahhhh", pricing wise hum .... the usual "baffling" come to my mind, as with all Apple product
but hey! one more overear headset on the market
1) mediocre circumaural ANC headphones cost upwards of $200. Excellent ANC headphones cost upwards of $300.
2) Dual CPU with powerful DSP costs money. Even if you don't use it or don't need it - it's there.
3) Additional features(proximity sensor and other trinkets) also cost money. Same thing - even if you don't need it you still pay for it.
4) Being compatible only with Apple devices is nothing new. That's why it's called "Apple Ecosystem". Android smartphone owners aren't the target auditory.
5) If some of you refer to Airpods being compatible w/ other devices, you should note that you automatically lose half the features and you switch to run-of-the-mill A2DP for audio transmission. That's why airpods objectively sound better on iPhone(and have better battery life as well).
6) Having those abovementioned processors and upgradeable firmware gives you prospects of improving existing features or adding new ones throughout the lifespan of the product (for example, better power management, faster device switching, and spatial audio for airpods). No one offers that kind of flexibility yet.
With all of the above that "Apple Tax" people like to mention doesn't look that unreasonable.
I'm not gonna join the debate of whether it's too expensive or not, but I do honestly believe that many people will buy those even at $549, some to accompany their $1000 iPhone Pro Super Max Ultra-Ultimate, most out of habit (apple headphones for apple phone, staying in the "ecosystem" for the sake of convenience and regardless of cost), and some if they actually see all those features compelling.
Given the success of the Airpods, I can imagine these will be pretty good. If you can afford to throw $549 at a pair of headphones, go for it. But as a consumer, I prioritize bang for buck, and I can't imagine these offer much in the way of that.
nothing special - check
orgasmic tone - check
orgasmic tone starts in title - check
yeah, indeed an Apple article. One wonders if it is for free or not.
It should not be.
My favorite part from that study is this, quote:
"Today, IBM has just seven people supporting 200,000 macOS devices in contrast to the 20 needed to support the same number of Windows devices, IBM said at JNUC. This means it costs IBM 186% more to support Windows than it does Macs."
PS: I just hope your wife doesn't hate you after forcing her to buy an overpriced Dell with that awesome fake carbon fiber plastic wrap. And have fun being her tech support guy for longer than necessary because you don't value your time. :laugh:It really raises the question of how every factory in China can afford to pay the same as a Taiwanese company. That probably explains why they are hurrying up to implement actual slavery. They must be in dire need to get the money from somewhere. Something seems very off with China now, if they have to resort to that... Maybe they're on the brink of collapse like the Soviet Union was under Gorbachev? Yea, now is the best time to not support that piece of shit government with our money. And I'll still gladly buy from Foxconn, even if I'll have to live with Apple prices. I'm crossing my fingers.How were you allowed to write an essay on the camps? I assume you are no longer in China?
I'll add some of my other points here that also impact the price. "Even if you don't use it or don't need it - it's there."
7) The design. Good designers are expensive and Apple pays them, a lot.
8) The materials. Those headphones look mostly made from actual metals. Aluminum is costlier than plastic. Smelting and molding it is far more expensive. But still, it's widely seen as the better choice for the environment as it's far more recyclable! Also, you can send your old Apple products to an Apple store and they will recycle it responsibly for free.
9) Build quality and easily the highest production standards in the industry!
10) One of the best and most accommodating warranties in the industry. I often heard that Apple replaced people the whole MacBook 3, 4, or 5 times because of a faulty keyboard (the dust problem with their old scissor switches). Even if they make mistakes, they actually take responsibility for them!
11) They don't work with (or hire) Chinese state-owned companies (at least none that I know of) as Google does. They are attempting to move out of China into India. They know it's a massive liability to work with China because they're customers actually care!
7-10 actually cost money, even if you don't care about these things. I've included 11 in this list because of the moral cost.Let me be clear. Nobody can sustain paying competitive wages, if they don't have the income. Where do you think China is getting the money? What is China's net worth (= income - expenses)? I doubt it's very high. They may even actually be on the brink of collapse. I say "may" because who knows? It's not like China would ever admit this or share the actual numbers with other countries. They want to be seen as powerful, so any signs of collapse (like dropping unsustainable wages) would be detrimental to that. Catastrophic even for their "successful" image. But in the shadows, they are resorting to slavery now to uphold this image with money they earn from said slavery. If you're actually powerful, you don't need to rely on actual slavery to earn enough money to uphold the image of high wages for their workers (at least some of them). Do Chinese people even care about this, if they're getting the money? They're acting very complicit if you ask me. To avoid a revolution, the government is playing its people like a fiddle. At least they know what its People only care about: Money! Remember that video with VW, BMW, and Nike paying China for their slave labor? It's not hard to add up what China is making from them and how they are able to uphold their image of high salaries elsewhere. Here is another small list of companies that are paying China to do this. If you are working for a Chinese company, you're directly profiting from this. I don't know how much of your monthly salary comes from this, but it's definitely enough.
"Since 2017, more than a million Uyghurs and members of other Turkic Muslim minorities have disappeared into a vast network of ‘re-education camps’ in the far west region of Xinjiang, [10] in what some experts call a systematic, government-led program of cultural genocide. [11] Inside the camps, detainees are subjected to political indoctrination, forced to renounce their religion and culture and, in some instances, reportedly subjected to torture. [12] In the name of combating ‘religious extremism’, [13] Chinese authorities have been actively remoulding the Muslim population in the image of China’s Han ethnic majority.
The ‘re-education’ campaign appears to be entering a new phase, as government officials now claim that all ‘trainees’ have ‘graduated’. [14] There is mounting evidence that many Uyghurs are now being forced to work in factories within Xinjiang. [15] This report reveals that Chinese factories outside Xinjiang are also sourcing Uyghur workers under a revived, exploitative government-led labour transfer scheme. [16] Some factories appear to be using Uyghur workers sent directly from ‘re-education camps’."I think your Taiwanese management was actually just the more honest one. People often confuse honesty with disrespect. They also often confuse better pay and 'acting respectful' with actual respect.
This is just the next Chapter of the corrupt Chinese government to make money after intellectual theft stopped working or being enough. This means they must be in trouble though. Best time to stop supporting this madness by not buying anything from state-owned Chinese companies. There are enough alternatives, even in China. Foxconn for one.
"There are 22% more macOS users who exceeded expectations in performance reviews, compared to Windows users."
Correlation does not imply causation. What's to say that the Mac users weren't already higher performing and just happen to prefer Macs to PC?
"High-value sales deals tend to be 16% larger for macOS users, compared to Windows users."
Correlation does not imply causation. Again, we have no way of knowing that it's the Macs that are leading to these higher-value sales.
"macOS users are 17% less likely to leave IBM, compared to those who use Windows."
Correlation does not imply causation. Are you sensing a pattern here? You can't conclude that Macs are the reason that people are less likely to leave IBM.
"MacOS users are happier with the third-party software availability within IBM — just 5% of macOS users ask for additional software, compared to 11% of Windows users."
And...wait for it...correlation does not imply causation. With Windows making up a significantly larger percentage of the worldwide OS usage (gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/desktop/worldwide), it can be assumed that developers are more likely to develop programs compatible with Windows. Larger target audience means greater downloads/sales. Less third party software options to choose from could certainly yield less requests for 3rd party software on the Mac side of things.
Anyways I explained to you, what my personal experiences were and gave you a list of examples, why I believe Apple products are a bunch of overpriced and overhyped crap that is not really better or worse than other premium stuff but much more expensive and you failed to pick up any of my arguments.
Also, I don't force my wife to do anything. She decides what hardware she gets from a list of possible hardware that her employer supplies and then buys for her. Furthermore I don't know how you come to believe that my wife needs any kind of tech support from me. She is a professional consultant in automotive software development and works for a German car company. She certainly doesn't need support from me. I hope that was not some kind of "woman don't know anything about tech" remark!
I don't care who that guy is & what he said, unfettered Capitalism today is as much if not much more of an evil than what the western world thought Socialism was or could ever be! And by "some form of" Socialism I mean something like Universal healthcare not textbook everything owned by the big bad govt kind. I'm sure major part of the reason other Western nations are doing slightly or much better than the US right now is because of that. Or universal basic income, to make sure the marginalized & the most vulnerable don't die of huger or any other ailments which are totally preventable!
Yeah because you have absolutely no leg to stand on! Have you been living under a rock for the last 30-40 years? Do you understand why China is in a position where it is today? You really think China is socialist? Must be nice living in your own bubble :ohwell:
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