Apple’s decision to ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack on its latest devices ruffled some feathers, but in hindsight, the company’s instincts seem to be correct: Like it or not, wireless earbuds are the way of the future. As technology continues to get sleeker and smaller, compact earbuds are increasingly getting the Bluetooth treatment, and the Apple AirPods – which just got a nice discount on Amazon – are still one of the best pairs you can buy, particularly if you’re a dedicated iOS user.
We already saw a recent discount on the first-gen Apple AirPods, but deals on the second-generation refresh have been fleeting (no surprise there, as Apple only just released these earlier this year). This discounted model is the second-gen model with a wired Lightning charging case, so if you don’t specifically need the wireless charging case and you’ve been waiting for a deal on the AirPods, now’s your chance.
The differences between the first-gen and second-gen Apple AirPods (or “AirPods 2”) seem fairly small at first glance. The new AirPods feature an enhanced wireless chip for faster syncing, more seamless transitions between multiple devices, and increased talk time. Apple also stated that the newer H1 chip reduces latency for things such as gaming. The AirPods 2 allow you to activate Siri with voice commands instead of having to tap one of the earbuds, as well.
The AirPods remain one of our favorite wireless earbuds (and our no-frills pick for iOS devices) thanks to Apple’s signature build quality, sleek truly wireless design, stable wireless connection, and super-simple setup and operation. They do unfortunately lack waterproof capabilities so they’re not the best for workouts and other outdoor activities, but despite an increasing amount of competition from brands like Jabra and Samsung, the Apple AirPods are still the go-to choice for iOS users looking for a solid pair of everyday truly wireless earbuds.
The second-gen Apple AirPods with wired Lightning charging case normally ring in at $159. Amazon has them on sale right now for $140, though, saving you $19 if you’re not fussy about wireless charging capability. It’s not an earth-shattering discount, but it’s one of the few deals we’ve seen so far on Apple’s 2019 wireless earbuds.
Looking for more great stuff? Find tech deals, spring sales, Apple AirPods alternatives, and much more on our curated deals page.
Instagram is making its way to yet another screen, and this time, Apple TV is getting a taste of the Reels rabbit hole. The company has launched a dedicated Instagram app for Apple TV, bringing Reels, longer videos, and live shows to the big screen. So, if watching one quick clip on a phone somehow turns into an hour of scrolling, there's now a much larger screen for that.
Instagram brings Reels and more to Apple TV
Audio-Technica, a brand well known for making some of the best studio and professional headphones on the market, has just come out with the ATH-AWX7000, which the company itself claims to be its "finest headphones ever." The new flagship closed-back headphone has debuted at an eye-watering price of $3,799. It combines hand-finished Japanese woodwork with a newly developed 58mm driver.
The earcups are made from Kiso cypress, a prized wood historically used for Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Each housing is finished by hand with traditional Echizen lacquer, which brings out the grain and is expected to darken over time. The frame and sliders are finished in a deep navy kachi-iro shade traditionally associated with samurai.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
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