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Apple has said it needs a “little more time” before releasing its wireless AirPods that it revealed alongside the iPhone 7 – which of course no longer has a headphone jack.
When the wireless earpieces were announced, Apple said they would go on-sale in October, with many expecting that launch to be confirmed during the MacBook event the tech giant is holding later today.
However, Apple has now told TechCrunch in the US that this is no longer the case, with the iPhone maker not entirely satisfied the Pods are ready for the public.
“The early response to AirPods has been incredible. We don’t believe in shipping a product before it’s ready, and we need a little more time before AirPods are ready for our customers,” a statement to TechCrunch said.
Considering the earphones are a brand new piece of technology for Apple, the caution is perhaps not that surprising – the AirPods contain a range of tech including a new wireless chip as well as speaker and microphone components.
The AirPods are one of Apple’s alternative set-up suggestions for audio now the analogue headphone port is no more on the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. They attracted attention and controversy at the time of their announcement, thanks to their position as a possible replacement to traditional tethered earphones, which will now require an adapter in order to listen in the same way.
The price tag of £159 added to the frustrations for some.
The AirPods’ case doubles as the charger, and simply opening it also serves as the pairing mechanism with your iPhone.
Apple did not give a timescale on when the AirPods would finally go on sale.
