Apple AirPods were supposed to have an October launch, but no reason was given to explain the cause of the delay. But weeks following this, the tech giant still has kept any information on the issue, yet lists the AirPods as "coming soon" to the Apple online store.
Based on reports, the Apple AirPod delay is due to some technical reasons, and that the Cupertino-based company wants to make sure that the earpieces both get a signal simultaneously to lower the connection drops. According to an Apple insider, the company wants to prevent distortion, revealing further that Apple is currently working to fix what happens when an AirPod user loses one of the earpieces or when the battery dies.
The Apple AirPods reportedly depend on a proprietary Apple chip that communicated with the two earbuds in order to stream audio. Meantime, other wireless headphones send the Bluetooth audio to an earbud and beam it next to the other.
Apple AirPods are priced at $159, which is believed to complement the iPhone 7 that does not include a headphone jack. In a statement released in October, Apple revealed that the consumers' early response to the AirPods was incredible, and that the company now needs more time before getting the Airpods ready for their customers. Contrary to this, however, are reports claiming that Apple is currently facing some issues regarding the manufacturing of AirPods at scale.
Nevertheless, the Apple AirPods are expected to start shipping in January 2017, according to ZDNet. Meanwhile, the USPTO's regular release of patents reveals that Apple is working on Electronic Devices with Display and Touch Sensor Structures.
According to reports, the patent indicates a technique where the touch sensors can be put around any side of a device to allow a new input sources. It further noted that the physical buttons like the volume controls may be replaced by the embedded touch sensors.
Apple is likely removing the current buttons to move towards the touch-enabled areas on the device for the current UI. It could also allow for some areas with new UI paradigms like the back of any Apple smartphone for easy page turning or scrolling, according to report. Watch People try Apple's wireless AirPods for the first time