2019 Apple AirPods announced: Wireless Charging Case, Hey Siri support, Better Battery life

Apple’s week of surprise launch continues as the Cupertino-based company announces the 2019 Apple AirPods. We have already witnessed the launched of the iPad Air, iPad Mini, iMac 21.5 and the iMac 2. The company’s own H1 chip powers the new updated Airpods. The same is claimed to offer improved battery life and Siri support without having to touch it.

Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, said on the launch,

AirPods delivered a magical wireless experience and have become one of the most beloved products we’ve ever made. They connect easily with all of your devices, and provide crystal clear sound and intuitive, innovative control of your music and audio. The world’s best wireless headphones just got even better with the new AirPods. They are powered by the new Apple-designed H1 chip which brings an extra hour of talk time, faster connections, hands-free ‘Hey Siri’ and the convenience of a new wireless battery case

2019 Apple AirPods: Appearance and Specifications

As for looks, the new Airpods and the case looks identical to its predecessor except for a small LED to indicate battery life. The new H1 chip allows up to one hour more of talk-time compared to the current-generation AirPods. The chip further enables faster switching between devices and can trigger the virtual assistant by just saying “Hey, Siri.” It means Siri will work on Airpods the same way it works on iPhone, iPads or Mac after which you can ask it to play music, navigate, message or call.

Interestingly, Apple teased the “Hey, Siri” feature as far back as September last year on the iPhone Xs and iPhone XR launch event. The opening movie featured a woman wearing the AirPods run from Apple Park ‘spaceship’ campus to Steve Jobs Theatre. She had a package that needed an urgent delivery. She asks, “Hey Siri, what’s the fastest way to Steve Jobs Theatre? And didn’t physically tap the AirPods to activate Siri.

The upgrade is not limited to the AirPods as it comes with new charging cases. It means the AirPods will be able to last more than 24 hours on a single charge, though Apple didn’t clarify the exact capacity. The wireless charging case works with Qi charging meaning so it should work with almost every wireless charger out there.

2019 Apple AirPods: Price and Availability

The new AirPods will cost Rs 14,900 if you buy these with the standard charging case. If you opt for the new wireless charging case, it will cost you Rs 18,900. If you already own a pair of AirPods, you can upgrade to the wireless charging case for Rs 7,500. The availability is listed to be “later this spring,” though no specific date is given.

After unveiling iPads, iMacs and the AirPods, the company may be focusing on the company’s TV streaming service on the upcoming Apple event next week. Or perhaps the much-delayed AirPower wireless charging mat that will eventually launch too.