Released in December 2016 by Apple, AirPods are wireless versions of the Apple earbuds that come in the box with iPhones. Unlike other wireless earbuds at the time, the AirPods have no wires between them. The AirPods come with a carrying case containing a battery to charge them on the go. Without the case, AirPods can last for about 5 hours on a single charge. The case can hold up to 24 hours of battery life.

AirPods are intended for use with iOS and macOS devices. However, they can connect to any Bluetooth-enabled device.

Versions of the AirPods

  • Apple AirPods - The original AirPods were housed in a 2.11-inch tall, 1.74-inch wide case. The AirPods themselves resemble the design of the Apple EarPods, minus the wires. In 2019, a second generation of AirPods was released, adding additional Bluetooth range, and Qi-based wireless charging. Because it wasn’t a major redesign, these are called AirPods (generation 2).
  • Apple AirPods Pro - Released in October 2019, the AirPods Pro are a redesigned version of the AirPods, featuring a wider case and a more angular earbud shape. The major selling point of the AirPods Pro is the active noise cancellation, which blocks outside sound more effectively than the original AirPods.

Apple, Apple terms

  • How to connect AirPods to a mobile device or computer.
  • How to install, enable, and troubleshoot Bluetooth in Windows.
  • How to enable or disable Bluetooth on a Mac.