A combination of top-of-the-line sound quality and familiar designs all rolled into one makes Apple's new AirPods the true middle ground for the company's line-up of audio devices.
Apple's latest offerings are, technically, the third-generation AirPods after 2016's original and the second generation in 2019 that featured a case that can be wirelessly charged. The AirPods Pro and AirPods Max have to be seen separately from the three generations.
Apple strategically introduced the original AirPods five years ago alongside the iPhone 7 series, the first lineup without the 3.5mm audio port. Since then, the true wireless Bluetooth market has grown but the pace of growth has slowed in recent years.
The wireless Bluetooth market grew 6.4 per cent in the second quarter this year, the lowest increase in three years, according to a research company Canalys.
Apple maintained its lead in the audio market in 2020, shipping 108.9 million AirPods and Beats units during the second quarter, the report said. AirPods shipments are expected to grow 3.7 per cent year-on-year to hit 85 million units in 2022, according to TrendForce.
Here's what you need to know about Apple's latest audio device.
Design
At first glance, the new AirPods resemble the AirPods Pro, with shorter stems while missing the silicone ear tips. It's a welcome change because it keeps that minimalistic appeal (remember the jokes saying they're like toothbrushes dangling from your ears?), and emanates a more premium look and feel.
That said, fit could be an issue. While Apple's AirPods generally have a good fit, the comfort you get with those ear tips will be missed.
Those stems are, once again, your ticket to controlling the device using Apple's Force Touch tech: a single press plays and pauses music and answers calls, two presses skips a track forward and three skips backward. There's still no way you can control the volume with it and you can only do this on the device you're using.
Just like AirPods Pro, the new AirPods are easy to control, even with shorter stems. No touch controls are available, which eliminates the need to grip them with two fingers. The AirPods Max had lots of room to incorporate this, but Apple decided to stick with the controls on its digital crown (volume included) and dedicated noise control button.
While the new AirPods and the AirPods Pro look similar, the former doesn't support active noise cancelling and transparency modes (this action toggles the two modes on the latter), both of which are the key selling points of the higher-end accessory.
Sound quality
If you are on the lookout for an audio device with noise-cancelling tech, the new AirPods aren't for you. However, Apple is making up for this with their most important audio technology – spatial audio with dynamic head tracking.
In layman's terms, spatial audio brings 360-degree effects to sound. It is Apple's take basically on Dolby Atmos, also known as 3D audio.
Using accelerometers and gyroscopes in the AirPods, the technology tracks your head movement so the sound is positioned accurately. If you are listening on an iPhone or iPad, for example, it tracks the position of those devices so the sound is placed relative to them.
Compared with its two predecessors, sound on the new AirPods is certainly better, and you can feel the benefits of spatial audio. The only thing here is that without noise cancellation, you're guaranteed to hear sound and noise. Is this an advantage? Yes and no: they're alright when you're alone in a room, but once outside, you'll hear the cons of it.
But there's a silver lining to that: the lack of noise cancellation will make you more aware of your surroundings and even if you leave them on your ears while talking to someone, there's no need to switch noise cancellation off.
There is, however, a feature on the new AirPods that kind of makes up for this: there's an inset mic in each bud that minimises wind noise when you’re on a call. It does work, but don't expect a complete noise blackout.
Battery: best in the series
The previous two AirPods had a peak run of five hours on a single charge and over 24 hours, including the extra top-ups in their charging cases. Apple bumped that up to six hours and up to 30 hours, more than the AirPods Pro's 4.5 hours and 24 hours, making it the best in terms of battery life in the series.
Talk time, however, is listed to make the battery last four hours. Enabling spatial audio will reduce its use to five hours. That is more than enough, though, to get you through your commute, at work or in any other activity.
Charging, meanwhile, is at par with the AirPods Pro, as you can get about an hour's worth of listening or talk time when you let them sit in the case for just five minutes.
Keep in mind, however, that these numbers are for charging it with the Lightning cable. Doing so wirelessly – MagSafe on the new AirPods – will take longer.
It is quite challenging to fully gauge battery levels and charge speeds here – Apple has not listed any official numbers on how long it will take to fully charge the AirPods. But a battery upgrade on any device is good news.
Verdict
The third-generation AirPods get you a new look and Apple's advanced sound tech at a lower price. But it isn't a complete package as noise cancellation has been left out. Noise cancellation tech on headsets are practically standard nowadays, but it's still a choice – buy what you want, need or can afford.
The new AirPods are Dh749, which isn't exactly a stone's throw away from the AirPods Pro's Dh999. If you want the full Apple sound experience – and can afford Apple's other pricier products – that difference shouldn't be an issue. Think of it as the 'AirPods Pro Lite'.
Australia tour of Pakistan
March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi
March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi
March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore
March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi
March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi
April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi
April 5: T20I, Rawalpindi
Company profile
Company: Eighty6
Date started: October 2021
Founders: Abdul Kader Saadi and Anwar Nusseibeh
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Hospitality
Size: 25 employees
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investment: $1 million
Investors: Seed funding, angel investors
Stage result
1. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix 4:42:34
2. Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Hansgrohe
3. Elia Viviani (Ita) Ineos Grenadiers
4. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) BikeExchange-Jayco
5. Emils Liepins (Lat) Trek-Segafredo
6. Arnaud Demare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
7. Max Kanter (Ger) Movistar Team
8. Olav Kooij (Ned) Jumbo-Visma
9. Tom Devriendt (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux
10. Pascal Ackermann (Ger) UAE Team Emirate
'Outclassed in Kuwait'
Taleb Alrefai,
HBKU Press
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Company info
Company name: Entrupy
Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist
Based: New York, New York
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place.
RESULTS
1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner AF Almomayaz, Hugo Lebouc (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)
2pm Handicap (TB) Dh 84,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Karaginsky, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Sadeedd, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard.
3pm Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner Blue Sovereign, Clement Lecoeuvre, Erwan Charpy.
3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4pm Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Bladesmith, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh 68,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3ECompany%20name%3A%20Znap%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarted%3A%202017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFounder%3A%20Uday%20Rathod%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIndustry%3A%20FinTech%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFunding%20size%3A%20%241m%2B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EInvestors%3A%20Family%2C%20friends%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Getting%20there
%3Cp%3EGiven%20its%20remote%20location%2C%20getting%20to%20Borneo%20can%20feel%20daunting%20even%20for%20the%20most%20seasoned%20traveller.%20But%20you%20can%20fly%20directly%20from%20Kuala%20Lumpur%20to%20Sandakan%20and%20Sepilok%20is%20only%20half%20an%20hour%20away%20by%20taxi.%20Sandakan%20has%20plenty%20of%20accommodation%20options%2C%20while%20Sepilok%20has%20a%20few%20nature%20lodges%20close%20to%20the%20main%20attractions.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs Ferrari GTC4Lusso T
Price, base: Dh840,000; Dh120,000
Engine: 4.0L V8 twin-turbo; 3.9L V8 turbo
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic; seven-speed automatic
Power: 509hp @ 6,000rpm; 601hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 695Nm @ 2,000rpm; 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.9L / 100km; 11.6L / 100km
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
South and West: From a Notebook
Joan Didion
Fourth Estate
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Henderson, Johnstone, Pickford, Ramsdale
Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Godfrey, James, Maguire, Mings, Shaw, Stones, Trippier, Walker, White
Midfielders Bellingham, Henderson, Lingard, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse
Forwards Calvert-Lewin, Foden, Grealish, Greenwood, Kane, Rashford, Saka, Sancho, Sterling, Watkins
The Little Things
Directed by: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto
Four stars
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The%20specs
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What's%20in%20my%20pazhamkootan%3F
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Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Fifa%20World%20Cup%20Qatar%202022%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFirst%20match%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2020%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinal%2016%20round%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%203%20to%206%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EQuarter-finals%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%209%20and%2010%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESemi-finals%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%2013%20and%2014%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinal%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%2018%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
'Champions'
Director: Manuel Calvo
Stars: Yassir Al Saggaf and Fatima Al Banawi
Rating: 2/5
SEMI-FINAL
Monterrey 1
Funes Mori (14)
Liverpool 2
Keita (11), Firmino (90 1)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar
