Apple to Bolster Audio Offerings in ’19

Apple is reportedly looking to step up its audio game in 2019 with plans for new in- and over-ear headphones and a follow-up to the HomePod smart speaker it introduced earlier this year.

In addition to extending the wireless range of its popular AirPod earbuds, Apple is planning to make the buds water-resistant and add noise cancellation, according to a Bloomberg report.

The company is also said to be considering the addition of biometric sensors, such as a heart-rate monitor, and working on a wireless AirPod charging case that would be compatible with the AirPower charger it announced last year but has yet to deliver.

Over-ear headphones are also in the works, the report said, noting that they were originally intended to be introduced in late 2018 but have been pushed to early 2019 due to development challenges. The headphones would be a higher-priced alternative to the Beats headphones, according to the report. Apple owns Beats.

Bloomberg said a new HomePod is also in the cards for as early next year but offered few details on how the speaker would differ from the current model.

At $350, HomePod is expensive compared with its smart speaker competitors. Could a lower-priced version be in the offing?

COMMENTS
frizzpro's picture

'09 ???

brenro's picture

Sounds about right.

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