AirPods 2 Review: How do you use your AirPods?

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Apple AirPods 2:

With Wireless Charging: https://amzn.to/33n6XQv

Regular Charging Case: https://amzn.to/

Just Wireless Charging Case: https://amzn.to/2XNndch

Let me start my very first tech review with arguably, the most popular wireless headphones, the Apple AirPods. I actually used to own the 1st gen AirPods & what I have here are the 2nd gen AirPods (some would call them the AirPods 2). I unfortunately lost my 1st gen AirPods at a movie theater. They probably fell out of my pocket. I called the theater the next day, and they said that they couldn’t find them in their “Lost & Found”. Probably some kid is probably sharing my ear wax and enjoying my old AirPods right now. (Not bitter, not even a little bit, not at all…)

Curious timing though as Apple surprised us with AirPods 2 on their website one morning and I had to get them! I know you’re probably thinking, “Come on, deecee, #1stworldproblems much?” And you’re right but hear me out, once you’ve tried a pair of AirPods, you will never go back to wired headphones for your everyday use especially with the Apple EarPods that came with your iPhone. I’ll get to that a little later.

I thought I would show you how I use my AirPods and hopefully this review will help you make a more informed decision if you’re deciding to get them.

Right of out of the gate, if you own the 1st Gen AirPods, I personally wouldn’t recommend you getting these new ones. They look and feel the same but they are some slight improvements to the new ones like the case has the Charging Indicator Light on the outside now. Go Apple! As you may already know, it now charges wirelessly like your newer iPhones, albeit not that quickly, just 5W but they do have very small batteries so 15 mins of charging already get you 3 hrs of listening time.

https://www.apple.com/airpods/

Something to be aware of: they don’t charge with your upright wireless chargers. Only the flat ones would work. I don’t actually own one of the flat ones so you can lay the upright wireless chargers flat on your desk (or by propping it up on a book) to charge your AirPods 2. Wireless charging is highly convenient but you can still charge the AirPods old school, and I don’t think it’s a game-changing feature for you to replace your 1st Gen AirPods. However, Apple was thoughtful enough to have the Wireless Charging Case available for sale separately for $80 (being slightly facetious)

https://www.apple.com/shop/select-airpods

They have a brand new H-1 chip in them and they are suppose to connect between your iOS devices a little quicker. I don’t know if I’m not getting things but I’ve noticed that even though the Notification to the Connection shows up like here, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the AirPods are connected to your device. I still notice this happening with the AirPods 2 but simply go to the Bluetooth Settings and choose your AirPods and I do notice the new ones connecting a little faster than the 1st Gen. So a slight improvement here!

Working Out!

The biggest reason I own a pair of AirPods is for Working Out! Their main selling feature is that they are truly wireless! They fit in my ears so well. They for the most part don’t fall out, no matter the workout, unless I for some reason need to violently shake my head... Obviously, they don’t fit perfectly for everyone and you essentially can’t find out till you try them. Some say you could somewhat tell by how the wired EarPods fit on your ears.

I don’t even have to have my phone nearby; I can just set them on the floor while I workout; Heck, I can even leave my phone & the AirPods charging case in the locker and connect them to my Apple Watch & they would still work. I can leave my phone in my office and still be able to listen to Podcasts or Music while I’m in the kitchen as long as they are connected to the same network of your phone.

Cool Features!

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A really cool feature is when you take one of the AirPods off, the music will pause and resume playing when you put them back on. They sound decent, not the greatest but not terrible. There’s no noise cancelling obviously but I don’t think Apple was going for it with them.

Though they don’t come with physical buttons, I can double tap on the left for the Previous track or the right for the Next track. With the AirPods 2, I can just say, “Hey Siri” to invoke Siri. I didn’t think I would’ve cared about the Siri feature till I was able to change tracks while I was doing bicep curls! (Sweet)

I love that I don’t need to pull out my phone to change tracks, read texts or look for directions esp on a cold day! Siri can just dictate all that to me! With iOS 13, the AirPods will read you your texts notifications while you’re working out and you can just reply naturally. You’re suppose to be able to share audio between 2 sets of AirPods and watch a movie or listen to music together on a plane.

Size: Portability!

The size of the case (how it’s incredibly small) is a feature in itself! I know they might also remind you of something you need to do for dental care but the idea of the case also charging the AirPods is simply genius. That way, if you are disciplined with keeping the case charged, your AirPods will essentially work all the time. And for you fidget-spinner lovers, this is addictive!

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Taking Calls, wireless headphones

I love it when I’m out and about at say Starbucks and someone’s calling, I just take the call and not have to fuss with cables, or while I’m reading some article that has a video link on my phone while I’m having lunch, I can quickly connect them to my phone and watch away without bothering anyone.

Set Up

Setting them up for the first time with your phone is so easy. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on, Open the case next to your phone and the Notification will pop up, Click connect and that’s it!

They just work!

Connecting them to your phone is so easy! Simply open the case, and you’ll get the Connected Notification, pull out the pods and wait for the little chime to confirm the connection and you’re good to go! That’s how technology should be! It should just work! Like I mentioned earlier, changing from one iOS device to another also works a little faster with the AirPods 2:

There’s also an Accessibility Live Listen feature with the AirPods. You can use them to eavesdrop on a conversation like a creeper or you can use them while you’re having lunch with a group of friends, and you can just leave your phone with a friend across the table and you will still be able to hear your friend clearly. I honestly have not used this once till this video.

Ok, let’s address the elephant in the room, you look like a snob or you look like you have little Barbie hairdryers in your ears. Some of friends have called them “RichPods” I have a solution! Amazon is filled very affordable AirPods skins. I personally love them black. You can also get a case for the AirPods case to avoid scratching them.

Again, I love my AirPods! They’re probably a great Christmas stocking Stuffer. They’re competitively priced compared to other wireless headphones.

I’m excited to see what different manufacturers will come up with in the future with wireless headphones. There are already talks about Apple including more Health related features in the future AirPods. More media control gestures or buttons would be great; new colors like not white would be nice! Maybe some form of Noise Cancelling? Other brands have EQ control on their mobile apps; some have their wireless cases like a battery pack as well... The world of technology is becoming more and more wireless and the AirPods is a very early glimpse of what the future may bring!