Apple earbuds

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Apple EarPods, introduced on September 12, 2012
File:IPod Touch 2G Remote Mic.jpg
Earbuds that shipped with the second generation iPod touch.

Apple earbuds are white in-ear headphones included with music players and smartphones designed and marketed by Apple Inc. They are designed to fit the ear while retaining a new design pushed by Apple alongside the iPod and iPod Touch products, with which they were sold together. Having been described as "revolutionary"[1][2] they certainly do embody a unique aesthetic image, but Apple's reinterpretation of the earbud also drew criticisms of functionality, including a lack of rubber earpieces.

History

The basic earbuds have no controls. They ship with all iPods except the fifth generation iPod touch and iPod nano which are shipped with the newer Apple EarPods made in Taiwan rather than Japan.

The third generation can be identified by the white border around the speaker and the left and right markings on the front (rather than on the back).

Earbuds with remote

Same as standard ones, except they also feature a built-in remote. They shipped only with the third-generation iPod shuffle.

Earbuds with remote and mic

Shipped with the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, the third-generation iPod touch, and independently.

Apple In-Ear Headphones

Apple In-Ear Headphones[3][4][5] (introduced on September 9, 2008, revised on September 12, 2012) are only sold independently. Like the regular earbuds they have a remote control and microphone built-in. They are made available as the high-end earbud offering with dual drivers, advertised as "engineered for superior acoustic accuracy, balance, and clarity".[4] The remote and protective case was redesigned on September 12, 2012, with the remote now matching that of the EarPods and the case subsequently modified with elements of the EarPods case while retaining the triangular shape.

Apple EarPods

Apple EarPods[6] (introduced on September 12, 2012) first shipped with the iPhone 5 and feature a remote control and microphone. They also ship with the iPod Touch (5th generation) (without remote and mic) and the iPod Nano (7th generation) (without remote and mic). They are also sold independently for a price of $29.00 USD,[7] £25.00 GBP,[8] and $45.00 AUD.[9]

All but the basic earbuds have control capsules allowing users to adjust volume, control music and video playback and take pictures with Camera application, located on the cable of the right earpiece;[10] those "with Remote and Mic" also include a microphone for phone calls and voice control of certain devices. These in-line controls have a microphone symbol on the reverse to denote their purpose.[11] Users can adjust volume, control music and video playback (play/pause and next/previous,) and record voice memos on supported iPod and iPhone models and Mac computers. There have been many reports of moisture problems with the remote/mic earbuds.[12] The original iPhone and iPhone 3G came with the iPhone Stereo Headset, a push-button and microphone on the right side of the headphones (there is no volume control, and only limited control of calls). Apple EarPods are compatible with iPhone 3GS and onwards, iPod Touch (2nd generation) and onwards and all models of the iPad and iPad mini. They require iOS 2.2 and onwards for iOS devices but are not compatible with the iPhone 3G or the original iPhone and the iPod Touch (1st generation) due to sound problems. They are also compatible with most Android devices and computers. The EarPods shipped with the iPhone 5, 5C, 5S, 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, and SE along with those individually sold, come with a carrying case, whilst the iPod Touch (5th generation), iPod Touch (6th generation) and iPod Nano (7th generation) only have basic packaging, due to their lack of a remote and mic.

See also

References

  1. CIRCUITS; Hold the Earbuds: Bluetooth and IPod Together at Last, New York Times, Adam Baer, July 7, 2005
  2. An Earful on Earbud Options, Wichita Eagle, February 4, 2006
  3. Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic, Apple Store
  4. 4.0 4.1 Apple In-Ear Headphones, Apple.com
  5. Apple In Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic, Amazon.com
  6. Apple EarPods with Remote and Mic, Apple Store
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  10. Everything You Need to Know About Apple Earbuds
  11. Are Your Apple Headphones Real or Fake?
  12. Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic Lowest Ratings

External links