Key Takeaways
- For individuals seeking a worthwhile investment, the third-generation AirPods offer exceptional value at a price point of $169 or $179.
- The earbuds boast an impressive six hours of battery life, mirroring the Water Resistance feature found in the AirPods Pro for added durability.
- The key feature that third-generation AirPods users lament missing is Lively Noise Cancellation (ANC).
For $169 or $179, depending on the type of charging case included, these earbuds offer great value. While third-generation AirPods excel in terms of design, extended battery life, and water-resistance, they remain a compelling option for those willing to sacrifice advanced noise-cancellation features. Launched three years ago in October, I’ve had the pleasure of owning a pair from day one, upgrading from my trusty 2nd generation AirPods.
Here are five underutilized suggestions and tips that I’ve grown to rely upon after nearly three years of ownership.
AirPods (Third era)
$129 Save $40
A pair of mid-range AirPods offering up to six hours of uninterrupted listening, accompanied by a rechargeable case boasting 30 hours of additional playback, compatible with both Lightning and MagSafe charging technologies, while also featuring IPX4-rated water resistance for worry-free use in various environments.
Leave your phone alone
The third-generation AirPods feature “pressure sensors” discreetly embedded within their stems. Building upon the tap-based interactions of their second-era predecessors, these new sensors offer a range of controls, allowing you to fine-tune your audio by gently squeezing the indentation on either stem. By employing these intuitive gestures, you can seamlessly navigate audio playback without needing to reach for your phone.
Here are the pressure sensor gestures you may have:
Pressure sensor gestures provide a new way to interact with devices. They allow users to apply varying levels of pressure to achieve different effects, similar to how they would use touch or swipe gestures on a touchscreen device. Some common pressure sensor gestures include:
Tap: A light tap with your finger is equivalent to a single click or press on an object.
Long press: Applying sustained pressure over a longer period can perform actions like selecting multiple items or opening menus.
Press and hold: Pressing and holding the screen at a constant level of force can be used to initiate actions, such as playing music or adjusting settings.
Flick: Flicking your finger up or down can simulate scrolling through lists or pages.
Press and swipe: Combining pressure with swiping gestures enables users to perform various actions, like zooming in or out, or navigating through menus.
- Play/Pause Media:
- Press to skip ahead
- What kind of occasions are you referring to?
- Press and for Siri
Apple’s AirPods range, spanning from the third-generation AirPods to the AirPods Max, exhibit distinct advantages and limitations.
Reply calls with ease
For me, the most impressive applications of AirPods lie in their ability to facilitate hands-free phone calls effortlessly. I rarely venture out without my AirPods to keep all my fingers free to complete tasks while conversing. With AirPods in, you’ll effortlessly manage phone calls by responding, ending, and silencing conversations directly from the earbuds without needing to reach for your iPhone. To quickly respond with a name using AirPods, simply double-click the stem once, and then double-click it again when you’ve finished speaking. You can also mute and unmute yourself during a call by gently squeezing the stem of your earbuds.
To customise your name management gestures: open Settings > choose your AirPods > scroll all the way down to Name Controls > faucet Mute & Unmute or Finish Name > choose Press As soon as or Press Twice. The opposite gesture simply reverts to the default setting automatically.
As Apple’s AirPods Pro approach their second anniversary, speculation is growing about whether they will receive an update with a third-generation model possibly on the way.
Enhance your listening expertise
When listening to audio, you might typically find that the sound emerges from a variety of directions, including from the left, right, front, or rear. This can be a characteristic referred to as spatial auditory perception, the ability of audio to be perceived to be coming from entirely different directions. Spatial Audio aims to deliver an even more immersive listening experience, and the second-generation AirPods Pro enable it seamlessly. With a simple upgrade, you can elevate your audio experience even further by leveraging personalized Spatial Audio on compatible Apple devices like iPhones and iPads, using their advanced facial recognition technology to tailor sound to your unique preferences.
To arrange Personalised Spatial Audio, open Settings in your Face ID machine > choose your AirPods > scroll all the way down to Spatial Audio > faucet Personalised Spatial Audio > Personalize Spatial Audio… > Proceed > Begin Seize > transfer your head to the left and proper as directed > faucet Performed.
As new AirPods are poised to hit shelves, it’s prudent to hold off on purchasing Apple’s entry-level wireless earbuds, as an upgrade may soon follow.
Optimize Battery Life: Tips to Extend Its Shelf Life
While batteries do experience natural degradation with age, this phenomenon is largely attributed to the current state of battery technology. While AirPods have been widely praised for their innovative design and user experience, one pressing concern surrounds the environmental impact of their disposable nature and rapid battery degradation, ultimately contributing to the staggering amount of electronic waste in landfills and incinerators. One effective technique is to refrain from holding charges for extended periods at more than 80%. By optimizing battery charging, you can slow down the aging process of your AirPods’ batteries by keeping a charge level of around 80% whenever you’re not actively using them, only topping them off when you’re nearly ready to start your day.
To allow optimized battery charging: Open Settings > choose your AirPods > scroll all the way down to Optimized Battery Charging > toggle it to inexperienced.
I have sufficient screens to work with. I crave the clarity that AirPods bring to sound quality.
Never again misplace your treasured AirPods.
Apple’s Find My feature provides a secure method for monitoring devices, enabling quick recovery in the event of loss or theft. By enabling this feature, you receive timely notifications whenever you leave your AirPods behind, accompanied by an audible alert or subtle guidance from your iPhone to reacquire the misplaced earbuds when they’re in proximity.
To allow Discover My Community: Open Settings > choose your AirPods > scroll all the way down to Discover My Community > guarantee Discover My Community is toggled to inexperienced.
While the AirPods Max are undeniably iconic, Sonos actually surpasses them with an impressive array of features that Apple wouldn’t typically offer.
