Apple earbuds were a series of iconic white earphones that shipped with all early iPod and iPhone models designed and marketed by Apple Computer (later Apple Inc.). They were eventually replaced by Apple's EarPods, which was introduced on September 12 2012 with the iPhone 5.[1]
History[]
Apple earbuds ship with all iPhones and iPods. Advertisements feature them prominently, contrasting the white earphones and cords with people shown as dark silhouettes, and are often seen on iTunes gift cards.
The original earbuds were shipped with the original iPod. The second-generation earbuds, shipped with the 2nd through early 5th-generation iPods, the iPod minis, and the 1st-generation iPod nano, were redesigned to be smaller after Apple received complaints of the earbuds being too large. This second version was also shipped with all 1st and early 2nd-generation iPod shuffles. In 2006, the third-generation earbuds were revised to be even smaller and streamlined, and were shipped with latter 5th-generation iPods, and the 2nd-generation iPod nano. On January 30, 2007, the 2nd-generation iPod shuffles were updated with new color and included the third-generation earbuds. The third-generation earbud design later included a remote with volume controls and microphone on the earphone cable for the iPhone 3GS and the 3rd-generation iPod touch. This remote was designed by longtime Apple Engineer Wendell Sander.[2]
On September 12, 2012, Apple unveiled EarPods, completely redesigned earbuds made to match the geometry of the ear. They were first shipped with the iPhone 5, the 5th-generation iPod touch, and the 7th-generation iPod nano.[1]
On September 7, 2016, Apple announced a wireless Bluetooth version of the EarPods called AirPods. These were sold for $159, and featured new technology and user interactions.
Safety[]
The theft and robbery of iPods has been a noted concern in several countries. It has been recommended that replacing the distinctive white earbuds with older headphones suggest cheaper equipment and help reduce robbery risk.
New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority placed advertisements on the subways that stated "Earphones are a giveaway. Protect your device", after iPod thefts on the subway rose from zero in 2004 to 50 in the first three months of 2005. In 2007, an increase of iPod robberies in San Francisco prompted Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) officials to place flyers at stations warning riders that the signature white earbuds could make them targets for theft.
Versions[]
There were several versions of Apple earbuds:
- Basic earbuds (no controls), which shipped with all iPods until the 3rd-generation iPod shuffle and iPod touch (8, 32 and 64 GB), which were shipped with newer earbuds made in Taiwan rather than Japan.
- Shuffle earbuds (with remote), which shipped only with the 3rd-generation iPod shuffle.
- Apple earphones (no controls and shorter cable), which shipped with the iPod Radio Remote.
- Apple earbuds (with remote and mic), which shipped with the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, the 3rd-generation iPod touch, and were also sold separately.
All but the basic earbuds have control capsules allowing users to adjust volume and control music and video playback, located on the cable of the right earpiece; those "with Remote and Mic" also include a microphone for phone calls and voice control of certain devices. Users can adjust volume, control music and video playback (play/pause and next/previous,) and record voice memos on supported iPod and iPhone models and Mac computers. There have been many reports of moisture problems with the remote/mic earbuds. The original iPhone and iPhone 3G came the iPhone Stereo Headset, a push-button and microphone on the right side of the headphones (there is no volume control, and only limited control of calls).
Successors[]
- EarPods (no controls), which shipped with the 5th to 7th generations of the iPod touch, and the 7th-generation iPod nano.
- EarPods (with remote and mic), which shipped with the iPhone 5, iPhone 5C, iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, and were also sold separately. In 2016, they were renamed to the Apple EarPods with 3.5mm Headphone Plug.
- EarPods with Lightning Connector, which shipped with the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X (these iPhones have no 3.5mm jack). They are also sold independently. They work with any iOS device that runs iOS 10 or later.
- "Premium" Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic, introduced on September 9, 2008, which are sold independently.
- AirPods, wireless earbuds, sold independently. Announced on September 7, 2016 alongside the iPhone 7, and released in December of the same year after delays.
Gallery[]
.jpg "4th gen earbuds (earpods).jpg (20 KB)")
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ears-On: Apple's New EarPods Are Worth Listening To by Nathan Olivarez-Giles, Wired. 2012-09-14.
- ↑ Father-son ISU alumni spend careers pioneering technology by Kristin Clague, Iowa State University College of Engineering News. 2017-10-26.
See also[]
External links[]
- Apple Stereo Headset at Apple (archived 2009-01-14)