Apple launches new AirPods and new music plan

Apple, upgrading its audio lineup, introduced the first overhaul of the entry-level AirPods since 2019, a new $4.99 music plan that only works through Siri and different colours for its HomePod mini speaker.

The company announced the new products Monday at an event called “Unleashed” that also included the latest Macs and chips. The new AirPods are the third generation of the original model and look similar to the AirPods Pro launched in 2019.

AirPods have quickly become one of Apple’s fastest-growing and most important accessory lines. Since the product’s introduction in 2016, Apple has dominated the wireless earbud market and has sparked competing devices from Samsung Electronics, Amazon.com and Alphabet’s Google. Last year, Apple launched pricey headphones under the AirPods brand.

The latest AirPods model includes a new audio driver and water resistance, but lacks features like noise cancellation that are part of the more-expensive version. It will cost $179. Apple plans to keep selling the older entry-level AirPods at a lower $129 price.

The new version also includes a redesigned case with MagSafe wireless charging that comes standard. Such functionality was previously a $40 upgrade. And it has a universal fit like the original AirPods and doesn’t require special ear tips like the AirPods Pro. The company has also upped battery life to six hours.

Alongside the new AirPods, Apple announced deeper Siri integration for Apple Music. A new feature includes playlists that are optimised for usage via Siri, Apple’s voice assistant. As part of that, the company launched a new $4.99-per-month Apple Music plan that only works through Siri. That’s half the price of the standard $9.99 a month subscription.

Apple also introduced blue, yellow and orange colours for the HomePod mini — joining the existing white and gray — in November. Apple recently hired a new HomePod software head, Bloomberg News has reported.

AirPods are part of Apple’s wearables, home and accessories segment. That group of products generated about $13bn in the previous holiday quarter, a sales record. Apple has cited AirPods as one of the biggest growth drivers of that category.

Bloomberg News reported on the new AirPods design last year. Apple is also working on an update to the AirPods Pro that will make the earbuds smaller and add new fitness functionality. Those are expected to be announced next year.