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APPLE AIRPODS GO PRO
FOLLOWING on from the release of its stellar new iPhones, Apple has updated its wireless earphones with the awkwardly-named AirPods Pro, bringing a wealth of new features – not least a snugger fit with a choice of three sizes of silicone tips (useful for people with mutant ears like me who can’t use regular AirPods because they just fall out).
That new fit also allows the new active noise cancellation, to prevent external sound polluting your tunes.
An outward-facing mic listens to what’s going on around you, and the earphones produce “an equivalent anti-noise” to cancel it out.
Even more other-worldly – the AirPods Pro have Adaptive EQ, which actually alters the low-and midfrequencies of the sounds being delivered according to the shape of the listener’s ear.
There is, of course, an option to turn the noise cancellation off in situations where you might like to hear what’s going on – listening to train announcements, or staying safe close to traffic, for example.
This mode, which Apple calls Transparency, is activated by a little squeeze on the stem of the AirPod – the “force sensor” there is also used for answering calls and skipping tracks.
Inside, there is a powerful chip that handles the noise cancellation, and also powers Siri, which is accessed by a simple voice command and can be used for all the things Siri can do, as well as controlling audio volume.
Battery life is good, with 4.5hrs on a single charge, up to 24hrs of listening via the charging case (which is compatible with Qi chargers), and an hour’s listening on just a five-minute quick charge.
All this, of course, comes at a price. Available now, the AirPods Pro cost £249. The standard AirPods are still available at £199 with a wireless charging case, and £149 with a regular charging case.
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