Apple said to be upgrading AirPods with 'Hey Siri' & better water resistance

Apple is reportedly planning to treat AirPods like its flagship devices, releasing relatively frequent iterations — beginning with an update this year.

The next pair is allegedly codenamed "B288," and expected to let people trigger Siri by saying "Hey Siri," Bloomberg sources said on Thursday. Currently, owners must tap one of the earbuds.

The product is also anticipated to get an upgrade from the Apple-designed W1 wireless chip. The company could conceivably use the W2, found in the Apple Watch Series 3.

A subsequent 2019 upgrade will be "water-resistant" — resistant to splashes, but not being submerged, the sources said. That statement is problematic, as AirPods are at least partly water-resistant already. They're worn by many gym-goers, and user tests have seen them survive being submerged. It could be that Apple plans to further toughen them, though that wouldn't be a marquee feature.

The first-generation AirPods have been a smash hit, often in such demand that even now it can take a week or more for an online order to ship. The product should be relatively easy to find at retail stores though, and many competing wireless earbuds are on the market.

48 Comments

ivanh 596 comments · 12 Years

About 6 years ago

We want a “durable” product. Not something “aged” in just a year.

jbdragon 2312 comments · 10 Years

ivanh said:

We want a “durable” product. Not something “aged” in just a year.

So long as it still works, no one if forcing you to upgrade. I'm onto the 4th year of my iPhone 6. Just because Apple releases a product upgrade every year, doesn't mean you have to upgrade every year or every other year. Most products (At least electronics) get updated every year even though you may not see any difference.

I'm still using, and right now, wearing my Original Apple Watch. Even though there's been a Apple Watch 1, 2 and now 3 since then.

jcs2305 1341 comments · 11 Years

lightvox said:

Useless to me until they implement passive noise cancelling. Every Apple headphone (not including Beats) has sounded horrible (weak bass and mids) because the earbuds don't properly seal. Clear example of design over function.

There are actually some folks that these fit correctly. So this is merely your opinion, not a fact. Personally If I could get them to fit correctly in both ears I would buy this immediately. The fit in my right ear is good, but my left ear canal is just a tad smaller so the fit and sound is as you stated. Also I think some folks like the fact that you can hear your surroundings as they use them while they walk around the city, or at work where they need to be aware of what is going on around them.

I personally have the Beats X because I like the fit ( because of what I described above ) but to say design over function is a bit of an overstatement in my opinion. They don't suit your needs, but millions of others are love them...

badflounder 24 comments · 13 Years

lightvox said:

Useless to me until they implement passive noise cancelling. Every Apple headphone (not including Beats) has sounded horrible (weak bass and mids) because the earbuds don't properly seal. Clear example of design over function.

"sounded horrible" is a stretch IMO. There are better headphones, sure, but I think the current AirPods bass is just fine. A "clear example of design over function" is in the eye of the beholder. Also, I prefer the AirPods snug fit versus in-ear buds that "seal". That's an uncomfortable feeling for my ears.

mike1 3431 comments · 10 Years

lightvox said:

Useless to me until they implement passive noise cancelling. Every Apple headphone (not including Beats) has sounded horrible (weak bass and mids) because the earbuds don't properly seal. Clear example of design over function.

Then buy something else. They work great in my ears, but not my wife's. So, she uses another brand.