A trio of Apple customers this month filed a class action lawsuit against Apple, accusing the Cupertino company of violating California consumer protection laws and false advertising for continuing to sell AirPods Pro models that had ongoing issues with crackling or static sounds.


A few months after the ‌AirPods Pro‌ came out in October 2019, buyers began to complain about crackling, rattling, popping, and static-like noises affecting the ‌AirPods Pro‌. The sound seemed to show up when something caused an earbud to move or vibrate, such as walking or running.

Apple tried to fix the problem with software updates, but the company ultimately launched an ‌AirPods Pro‌ repair program in October 2020. Customers with affected ‌AirPods Pro‌ were able to bring them to Apple for a fix or a replacement, but unfortunately, many customers found that their replacement ‌AirPods Pro‌ also suffered from the same issue.

As a result, Apple is now facing a class action lawsuit, with the plaintiffs requesting "relief" due to the defective nature of the ‌AirPods Pro‌. The complaint says that customers would not have purchased the ‌AirPods Pro‌ or would have paid less had Apple made the flaw clear.

Apple is also being accused of false advertising for highlighting features like "superior sound quality" and "pure, incredibly clear sound" when knowing there was an issue with crackling and static.

The court will need to decide if the arguments made here hold up, and whether the case deserves class action certification.

This article, "Apple Customers Sue Over Unfixed AirPods Pro Crackling Issue" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

A class-action lawsuit is accusing Apple of false advertising, claiming the crackling issue of the first-gen AirPods Pro go against Apple's marketing promises.

Filed on November 1 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, the proposed class action lawsuit titled "LaBella et al v. Apple" claims that Apple was incorrect in marketing the high-quality audio of the AirPods Pro. Across 51 pages, the lawsuit alleges that the audio issues of the personal audio accessories go directly against the quality claims.

The lawsuit, first reported by ClassAction.org, discusses how consumers complained about audio problems when using the AirPods Pro within months of release. The issues were significant enough for Apple to launch a service program for affected units made before October 2020.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Modern PCs and Macs use built-in Bluetooth to easily connect to your phone's AirPods. We'll show you how.

Comments

The USB-C AirPods Pro are the first earbuds to be capable of wireless lossless audio. #airpods #losslessaudio #earbuds

Apple launches faster chips, MacBook Pro laptops and cheaper Airpods - what are the upgrades?

The hearing aid feature is available with AirPods Pro 2 models, and requires an iPhone or iPad to set it up.

Apple обновила прошивку для AirPods 4 и AirPods Pro 2 с разъёмами Lightning и USB-C. Номер сборки для AirPods 4 — 7B20, для AirPods Pro 2 — 7B21. Все модели наушников ранее работали на прошивке 7B19. Apple заявляет, что в этих обновлениях были исправлены ошибки и внесены улучшения. Более подробную информацию компания не раскрыла. AirPods...

In a blog post today, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed two new products that Apple apparently plans to release in a few years from now, including a smart home camera and updated AirPods with more health management features.


Kuo said mass production of Apple's smart home camera is scheduled to begin in 2026, and the company apparently aims to sell tens of millions of them over the long term. He said the camera will have wireless connectivity, and deep integration with Apple Intelligence and Siri, but he did not mention any other specific features.

Previous rumors have indicated that Apple is planning to release a smart home display, but that device is expected to launch as early as 2025, so it seems like the 2026 camera that Kuo has mentioned here is a different product.

As for the AirPods, Kuo simply said that future models of the earbuds will have "more health management features" like the Apple Watch, and that Chinese manufacturer Goertek will serve as the primary supplier of a 2026 AirPods model. The new smart home camera will also be assembled by Goertek, according to the analyst.

We previously reported that Apple's upcoming Powerbeats Pro 2 will offer heart rate monitoring during workouts, and perhaps that feature will extend to AirPods in the future. In addition, health-focused sensors that could allow for features like body temperature measuring have been rumored for AirPods in the past.

This article, "Kuo: Apple Planning Smart Home Camera and New AirPods With More Health Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple plans to add more health-related features to future AirPods models, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, and the upcoming Powerbeats Pro 2 might offer a hint.


We previously reported that the Powerbeats Pro 2 will offer heart rate monitoring during workouts, and perhaps that feature will extend to AirPods in the future. Based on our iOS 18 code findings, you will be able to connect the Powerbeats Pro 2 to gym equipment like a treadmill to measure heart rate, and the data will be visible in the Health app and other supported apps on the iPhone. Apple previously announced that the Powerbeats Pro 2 will be released in 2025, and AirPods Pro 3 are also rumored to launch next year.

Heart rate monitoring has in fact been rumored for the AirPods Pro multiple times, but the feature has yet to come to fruition. With the feature now seemingly ready for Powerbeats Pro 2, though, it could finally come to AirPods too.

AirPods are also rumored to gain body temperature sensing in the future, after the Apple Watch Series 8 and newer gained a wrist temperature feature.

This article, "Powerbeats Pro 2 Leak Hints at Useful Health Feature Coming to AirPods" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple has released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, another software update for its personal audio devices.

Apple has been uncharacteristically frequent with its firmware updates for its AirPods product lines. The relatively high tempo of updates has continued with yet another AirPods firmware update.

Rolled out on Monday, the latest firmware updates are for the AirPods Pro 2 with both Lightning and USB-C charging cases, as well as both of the AirPods 4 models.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read the in depth Review of Apple AirPods 3 Audio Video. Know detailed info about Apple AirPods 3 configuration, design and performance quality along with pros & cons, Digit rating, verdict based on user opinions/feedback.

Read the in depth Review of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Audio Video. Know detailed info about Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) configuration, design and performance quality along with pros & cons, Digit rating, verdict based on user opinions/feedback.

Apple AirPods 3 normally retail for $169. As of Nov. 12, they're on sale for $94 at Walmart.

Get early Black Friday deals on headphones at Walmart. Score AirPods for under $100.

Millions who could benefit from hearing aids have never tried them, but the Apple AirPods could change this

Apple introduced two chips -the M1 Pro and the M1 Max in the new MacBook Pro 14 and 16-inch models

The iPhone 16 starts at ₹79,900, the iPhone 16 Plus at ₹89,900, the iPhone 16 Pro at ₹1,19,900, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at ₹1,44,900.

Apple Intelligence, the tech giant’s proprietary AI interface, finally arrives on the iPhone 16 series. The Watch Series 10 debuts detection of sleep apnea, and introduces new trackers for underwater sports

The AirPods 4 ANC, priced at ₹17,900, represents a substantial advancement in Apple’s audio technology, but there are some limitations

Also unveiled at the event were the Apple Watch series 8, Apple Watch Ultra and 2nd gen Airpods Pro.

Sie möchten Ihre AirPods laden – und das möglichst schnell und unkompliziert? Lesen Sie hier, worauf zu achten ist.

Wer auf das Design von Apple verzichten kann und stattdessen vorrangig für technische Qualität zahlen möchte, kann statt teurer AirPods alternativ In-Ear-Kopfhörer-Modelle wählen. Viele Produkte leisten ebenso viel wie die angesagten weißen Earbuds und sehen dabei sogar genauso gut aus.

Компания наконец-то признала проблему.

Ну что, поздравляю владельцев – это отличный апдейт, но с одной любопытной оговоркой.

В прошлом месяце, изучая содержание исходного кода бета-версии iOS 13.2, журналисты заметили в нем иконку таинственных беспроводных наушников с резиновыми амбушюрами для шумоизоляции. Новая утечка поз...

Источник из Китая опубликовал фотографию, на которой предположительно запечатлена улучшенная версия AirPods. По сообщению инсайдера, беспроводные наушники получат название AirPods Pro и будут представ...

После череды слухов и утечек компания Apple все же запустила в продажу улучшенную версию своих полностью беспроводных наушников. Новинка получила название AirPods Pro и доступна для предзаказа с офици...

Согласно слухам, распространенным тайваньскими источниками, компания Apple планирует включать в комплект смартфонов iPhone 2020 модельного года беспроводные наушники AirPods. Кстати, аналогичное решен...

Apple's plan to release an updated version of AirPods later this year has been delayed due to the global health crisis, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.


This lines up with a recent report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said that mass production of third-generation AirPods will begin in the first half of 2021, followed by mass production of second-generation AirPods Pro between the fourth quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2022. Kuo also expects Apple's rumored high-end over-ear headphones to enter mass production at some point in mid-2020.

Kuo did acknowledge rumors of new AirPods coming in the second half of 2020, but he said they are "more likely to be the new Beats model." Last month, leaker Jon Prosser claimed that Apple was planning to release so-called "AirPods X" around September or October with a BeatsX-like design for sports and running.

Apple's second-generation AirPods launched in March 2019, while the AirPods Pro were released at the end of October.

This article, "Apple's Plan to Introduce New AirPods Later This Year Reportedly Delayed" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

This week saw a couple of big announcements, led by the launch of an update for the 13-inch MacBook Pro line. Most notably, the update brought the improved Magic Keyboard previously introduced on its 16-inch sibling and the MacBook Air, with high-end models also receiving updated processors.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
The second significant announcement this week was that Apple's first all-digital Worldwide Developers Conference will kick off on June 22. Other news this week included a firmware update for the AirPods Pro, an update on Apple's Mini-LED efforts, and more.

Read on below and check out our video above for recaps of all of this week's most important stories!

New 13-Inch MacBook Pro Announced With Magic Keyboard, 10th-Gen Processors, Up to 32GB RAM and 4TB SSD, and More

Apple this week refreshed its 13-inch MacBook Pro lineup, with key features including the same Magic Keyboard as the 16-inch MacBook Pro, up to 80 percent faster Intel graphics than the previous generation, up to 32GB of RAM, up to 4TB of SSD storage, and 6K display support.


First introduced on the 16-inch MacBook Pro last year, the Magic Keyboard features a far more reliable scissor mechanism with 1mm of key travel. After five years, Apple has finally transitioned its entire notebook lineup away from its issue-prone butterfly keyboard.

10th-generation Intel processor options are only available on higher-end models, with the $1,799 configuration proving to be up to 16.5% faster than the $1,299 base model with an older 8th-generation processor.

Apple's Virtual WWDC Event to Kick Off on June 22

Apple has announced that its first-ever online-only WWDC will begin Monday, June 22 via the Apple Developer app and website. The weeklong event will include a virtual keynote, sessions, and labs, with more details to be shared in June. And it's free!


Apple is expected to introduce iOS 14, iPadOS 14, macOS 10.16, tvOS 14, and watchOS 7 at WWDC 2020, with beta testing to take place over the summer.

Student developers from all over the world can enter Apple's Swift Student Challenge by creating an interactive scene in Swift Playgrounds that can be experienced in three minutes. Winners will receive an exclusive WWDC20 jacket and pin set. Submissions are open through May 17.

Apple Updates AirPods Pro Firmware to Version 2D15

Apple this week released a new firmware version 2D15 for the AirPods Pro, replacing version 2C54.


In recent months, some AirPods Pro owners have been complaining about reduced noise cancellation and crackling or static sounds, so users have listened for any improvements following the update.

Perhaps proving how subjective sound quality can be, feedback has been decidedly mixed, with some users noticing an improvement, some noticing no change, and some noticing further degradation to noise cancellation.

Apple has offered some help in the form of two new support documents for users to troubleshoot noise cancellation or crackling sound issues.

10 Tips and Tricks for the iPad Pro Magic Keyboard

Have you recently picked up a new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro? Here's a list of our favorite tips and tricks that you need to know.


The tips and tricks relate to adjusting the backlight brightness, customizing the cursor's behavior, enabling tap-to-click on the trackpad, other trackpad gestures, accessing the Emoji keyboard, and more.

Apple's Mini-LED Product Roadmap May Have Been Pushed Back to 2021

Disappointed that the new 13-inch MacBook Pro was not the rumored 14-inch model? That may be due to a slight delay in Apple's plans to release a range of new products with Mini-LED backlit displays.

Kuo believes Apple's first Mini-LED products might not launch until 2021. The analyst has previously said these products would include a new 14.1-inch MacBook Pro, 16-inch MacBook Pro, 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and more.


Kuo has previously said that Mini-LED displays will allow for thinner and lighter product designs, while offering many of the same benefits of OLED displays used on the latest iPhones, including good wide color gamut performance, high contrast and dynamic range, and local dimming for truer blacks.

NFC-Based Digital Key Specification Released Ahead of Apple's Rumored CarKey Feature on iPhone

Amid rumors that Apple is working on a digital "CarKey" feature for iPhone, the Car Connectivity Consortium has announced that its NFC-based Digital Key Release 2.0 specification has been finalized and made available to its members, which includes Apple.


"CarKey" will allow an iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock, lock, and start an NFC-compatible vehicle. Just like credit cards and boarding passes, users will be able to add a digital car key to the Wallet app, eliminating the need to use a physical car key or key fob.

MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!
This article, "Top Stories: New 13" MacBook Pro, WWDC Starts June 22, AirPods Pro Firmware Update, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple's rumored high-end over-ear headphones may be called "AirPods Studio" and retail for $349, according to Jon Prosser of YouTube channel Front Page Tech.


In keeping with the successful ‌AirPods‌ brand, the rumored "Studio" over-ear headphones would significantly diversify Apple's ‌AirPods‌ lineup, which last added the in-ear AirPods Pro in October 2019. The supposed price of $349 would place "‌AirPods‌ Studio" as a direct competitor to high-end noise-canceling over-ear headphones from Bose and Sony.

Looks like Apple is sticking with the “‌AirPods‌” branding for their new over-ear headphones.

‌AirPods‌ Studio
Codename: B515
$349

— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) May 9, 2020

Prosser has previously accurately leaked the April 15 launch date of the new iPhone SE and, most recently, the May 4 launch date of the refreshed 13-inch MacBook Pro.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects Apple's over-hear headphones to enter mass production in mid-2020, which may suggest a fall 2020 launch.
This article, "Apple's Over-Ear Headphones May Be Called 'AirPods Studio' and Cost $349" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

How would you like to switch AirPods between iPhone, iPad, and Mac? Or what if you’d like to switch AirPods from iPhone to Apple Watch or even Apple TV? If you have a pair of AirPods and multiple Apple devices, you can easily switch AirPods and AirPods Pro between any of your other Apple products, ... Read More

When you're having connection problems, or if you find that they are not charging correctly, you may need to reset your AirPods or AirPods Pro. Here's how to get it done.

Apple is shifting a substantial portion of its current AirPods production from China to Vietnam, and appears to be considering a release schedule later than previously predicted for an AirPods refresh.

Apple's next release in the AirPods family could be its long-rumored over-ear headphones, a leaker claims, with the larger personal audio accessory tipped to have the name "AirPods Studio."

The success of Apple's AirPods line did better than the company "could ever imagine," Apple VP of product marketing Greg Joswiak claims in a profile on the audio accessories' popularity, one that also reveals extensive resources have been put into mapping ears.

With iOS 13.1 and iPadOS, Apple adds an Audio Sharing feature that lets you share with a friend what you're listening to on your Apple AirPods or select Beats headphones.

You can enjoy your AirPods Pro even more if you know how to fully use and customize them. Here are our top tips and tricks to get the most out of Apple’s wireless earbuds.

Save on the second-generation Apple AirPods with the wireless charging case, Logitech gaming gear, Dell laptops, the Nintendo Switch, and more today.

The popular Netgear Nighthawk R6700 wireless router is just $68 right now. Plus, you can save on a 32-inch Dell monitor and Apple AirPods with the wireless charging case.

Prime Day is over but there are still some great deals available. AirPods, Apple Watch Series 4, Samsung Galaxy S10e, Google Pixel 3 XL are discounted right now.

The second-gen AirPods use a new H1 chip, which allows access to Siri without a button press and extends talk time by an hour. Wireless charging is available if you pay extra for a case.

Apple AirPods are set to get some new competition from Amazon, and I'd bet money on Alexa Earbuds being significantly cheaper than Apple's offering.

During the third quarter, the smart earwear products accounted for 48.1 percent of all shipments in the wearables category, according to IDC. In addition, shipments for the earpieces grew a stunning 242.4 percent from the same period a year ago.

Launched alongside the Mi 10 flagship phone and Mi Box 4K, on Friday, the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 look a lot like the Apple AirPods but they cost way less.

Google's Pixel Buds are playing a very different game to the competition. ......

Comfort, however, can be an issue

Apple's over-ear headphones may be called 'AirPods Studio' & retail for $349  AppleInsiderView Full coverage on Google News