In a post on Apple’s Newsroom dated March 20, 2019, Apple introduced its latest 2nd generation AirPods that would be powered by an Apple-designed H1 chip.
The second-gen AirPods are said to be an improvement over the previous generation AirPods. Thanks to the H1 chip which would facilitate the hands-free “Hey Siri” functionality, and provides up to 50% more talk time, 1.5x faster connection time for phone calls, and up to 30 percent lower gaming latency.
Compared to the two hours of talk time per charge that the previous generation AirPods provided, the new generation AirPods offer up to three hours of talk time, along with five hours of listening time and 24+ hours of battery storage capacity from extra charges.
Users can, through the hands-free “Hey Siri” functionality, change songs, make phone calls, adjust volume, get directions, and more just by saying “Hey Siri.”
The H1 chip, moreover, accounts for easy and rapid switching between iPhone, iPad, Mac devices, and Apple Watch.
Having the same external design in the white color as found in the previous AirPods, the latest AirPods have the options of a wired charging case ($159) and a wireless charging case ($199), both of which comprise a LED light indicator on the case displaying the charging status.
They can be availed immediately on the Apple website and in the Apple Store app, but they will roll out in Apple stores and select resellers only in the next week. What’s more, orders made on the website and Apple Store app even have the option of free engraving done on the AirPods charging case.
