Apple Announces $249 AirPods Pro With Active Noise Cancellation
The design of the AirPods Pro mirror that of the glyph that was leaked in the iOS 13.2 developer beta, and include silicone ear tips that help improve the notoriously finicky fit of the first- and second-generation AirPods. Three different ear tip sizes are included in the box so that you can find the perfect fit for the contours of your ears.
The ear tips also help to create a tighter seal to work in conjunction with the active noise cancellation. An outward-facing microphone analyzes and cancels out unwanted background noise. This works in conjunction with a second, inward-facing microphone to identify any additional ambient noise that needs to be reduced.
Despite their small stature, Apple has packed in quite a bit of technology into the AirPods Pro. For example, there is a venting system onboard that allows the AirPods Pro to equalize pressure to further aide in long-term comfort. That same venting system is used to enable Transparency Mode, which allows you to hear the music that you're playing and still allow environmental sounds to bleed through. That way you can still hear gate announcements at the airport, upcoming stops on a train, or car horns as you're trying to navigate a busy intersection on your daily run.
"Switching between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes is simple and can be done directly on AirPods Pro using a new, innovative force sensor on the stem," writes Apple. "The force sensor also makes it easy to play, pause or skip tracks, and answer or hang up phone calls."
Apple says that the AirPods Pro are good for up to 5 hours of listening time, or 4.5 hours with Active Noise Cancellation turned on. Once you take into account the battery built into the standard Qi wireless charging case, Apple says that the AirPods Pro can last up to 24 hours per charge before you need to seek a wall outlet.
As previously rumored, the AirPods Pro are priced at $249, and will be available on October 30th.
