Apple ‘AirPods Studio’ over-ear headphones set to be ‘smartest ever’

Source: News Corp Australia Network:

May 13, 2020 at 13:48

Apple are slated to release their first set of over-ear AirPods later this year. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

Tech giant Apple is rumoured to be working on “AirPods Studio”, set to be the “smartest ever” over-ear headphones, slated for release this year.

Tech giant Apple is rumoured to be working on a pair of over-ear headphones that new leaks suggest will be the smartest we’ve ever seen.

Reportedly called the “AirPods Studio” or “AirPods X”, the headphones will be the brand’s first foray into an over-ear design, and will include a number of sensors that will detect how you’re wearing them and which ear is which, sources told 9to5Mac.

One of the key features of regular AirPods is ear detection – automatically pausing the song when you take an earphone out.

According to the tech site, the AirPods Studio will have a similar feature, but instead of ear detection, Apple is working to include sensors that can figure out whether the headphones are on your head or resting around your neck.

Apple AirPods Studio release date, price, specs and more https://t.co/8Sx2gEaAd2 pic.twitter.com/liajCIWp64
— Tom's Guide (@tomsguide) May 12, 2020

According to @jon_prosser, Apple will call their upcoming over-ear headphones “AirPods Studio” and cost $349. pic.twitter.com/2Cf6HckwGb
— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) May 9, 2020

Another sensor will reportedly be able to detect which is your right and which is your left ear, automatically routing the audio channels.

This would mean there’s no right or wrong side to use the AirPods Studio – whereas Apple’s current earphone range have fixed left and right channels.

On top of correctly identifying which ear is which, they’re rumoured to also have the ability to pause audio when you’re not wearing them. While it’s a common feature for the brand’s in-ear headphones, the AirPods and AirPods Pro, it’s one rarely included in over-ear styles.

Slated for release at some point this year, the AirPods Studio will share the Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode features of their predecessor, the AirPods Pro. Users will be able to switch between the two modes to reduce external noise or to hear the ambient sound.

According to a recent report by Bloomberg, the over-ear headphones will be available in at least two variations: a “premium version” with leather-like fabrics and a “fitness-focused model” that uses lighter, breathable materials with small perforations.

As for how much they’ll set you back, according to the Bloomberg report, they’ll likely cost around $500 ($349 USD), and could be unveiled as soon as June (COVID-10 permitting).