The new earbuds will cost US$250 (locally RM1,049) – like the prior model – and come in black, orange, purple and a colour called quick sand. — Apple
Apple Inc’s Beats unit rolled out the long-anticipated Powerbeats Pro 2, bringing noise cancellation, a heart-rate monitor and revamped design to the popular, athlete-oriented earbuds.
The new model adds capabilities found in Apple’s AirPods, including transparency mode, which makes it easier to hear outside noise, and the H2 chip for better sound. It also has improved spatial audio – a 3D listening experience – and a smaller case that can be charged wirelessly.
The heart-rate monitor is a first for any Apple-designed earbuds and marks an expansion of the company’s health push. The feature is based on technology that’s already used in the Apple Watch.
The release follows a slow holiday season for Apple’s wearables business. Sales at the division, which also includes home products and accessories, fell almost 2% in the December quarter to about US$11.8bil (RM52.74bil). Analysts had predicted a number closer to US$12bil (RM53.64bil).
The new earbuds will cost US$250 (locally RM1,049) – like the prior model – and come in black, orange, purple and a colour called quick sand. That price puts them at the same level as the AirPods Pro 2, but the Powerbeats may appeal more to athletes. The design is popular for sports because it has hooks that more securely attach to a wearer’s ears.
Apple Vice President Oliver Schusser, who oversees Beats in addition to the company’s sports, TV+ and music initiatives, called the new Powerbeats "the most impressive product in Beats’ history.” Apple acquired Beats and Beats Music in 2014 for US$3bil – still the company’s biggest deal to date.
The heart-rate feature will be compatible with fitness apps like Peloton, Nike Run Club, Ladder and Slopes. The data will also go into the Apple Health app, and the earbuds will work with Android devices.
Apple is developing AirPods with heart-rate monitoring as well, but those are still many months away, Bloomberg News has reported.
Compared with Apple’s AirPods – its top-selling earbuds – the Powerbeats offer a battery-life advantage. They can last 10 hours by themselves and 45 hours with the charging case. That compares with six hours for the AirPods alone and as much as 30 hours with the case. AirPods have other benefits, though, such as a new hearing aid feature.
Bloomberg News earlier reported that the new Beats were imminent. Apple is planning to announce an updated iPhone SE as early as this week as well. – Bloomberg
