Apple Introduces New Airpods Pro With Magsafe Charging

Enclosed Airpods Case

Apple this Fall introduced an ever so slightly updated version of its wildly popular Airpods Pro that were first introduced in late 2019. While the feature set and overall physical form factor has not changed, the core is touting a new Magsafe charging case that allows your AirPods Pro case and earbuds to be charged using any currently available Magsafe charging puck. But let's not kid one another. The 2019 AirPods Pro storage charging case was always Qi wireless charging compatible. Adding Magsafe charging (a
sort of magnetic charging puck) a feature Apple introduced in 2020 on the iPhone 12 line and carried over to the recently launched iPhone 13 line of iPhones is not much of a leap. But an update is an update. Airpods Pro are still the best wireless earbuds with noise cancellation and Siri that money can buy. At $249 MSRP, (actually retailing for much less) this makes a great gift for anyone that loves listening to music and wants to take calls privately. The bluetooth connectivity makes for a versatile connection to any bluetooth enabled audio or communication device. Inserting the earbuds into the magsafe charging case charges the earbuds even while the case is not on the charger, and can do so multiple times. Apple says you can get four to five hours of enjoyment on a single charge. But that of course all depends on your usage, connection quality, and volume. Nevertheless, you'll be rocking out cord and wire free to your favorite jams for an extended period of time before you need to recharge them. The in-ear fit and finish is better than most other wireless earbuds available from other manufacturers. Inserting and removing the Airpods Pro from your ears is simply and are quite comfortable when choosing one of three different sized silicone tips.

 

The bottom line? Magsafe AirPods Pro are a hit! If you haven't tried them, what are you waiting for?

Galaxy Note 9 Announced

Samsung today announced the next iteration of it's flagship Galaxy Note 9 in all it's glory for shipping starting August 24th for the low low price of $999 for the 64Gb Storage unit or $1299 for the mammoth 512Gb storage model for those who can't leave home without everything. Almost identical to last year's Note 8 in terms of form factor, the location of the fingerprint reader has been adjusted to below the camera. Battery life has been improved, screen is up to 6.4 inches, and now you can directly connect this one to your computer for a full-screen experience without any special docks unlike previous Galaxy models. Full details after the jump. Pre-orders begin tomorrow Kids! https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/8/9/17658576/samsung-galaxy-note-9-specs-price-release-date-camera-screen-battery-2018

Apple And HBO Announce Exclusive Partnership To Offer HBO NOW On Apple TV

The New HBO NOW service exclusively on AppleTV starting in early April.

Amongst the announcements made Monday March 9th at the Apple Spring Ahead media event is the partnership between cable-movie channel Home Box Office (HBO) and Apple.  Announced as a new channel on  AppleTV,  "HBO Now", the popular cable and satellite movie channel has decided you no longer need a cable or satellite subscription to get HBO, and has partnered with Apple EXCLUSIVELY (albeit for the first 3 months) to offer its service to anyone who has an AppleTV streaming unit and willing to ante-up $14.99 a month for the service. This service is squarely aimed at consumers who don't have a cable or satellite subscription--but want HBO ala-carte. While HBO Go allows existing subscribers of Comcast, Dish, DirecTV, etc., to access HBO programming on the go, HBO Now allows you to watch LIVE on the go, not just old programming. And you can do it on just about any Apple iOS device (iPhone, iPodTouch, iPad).  The service will launch in early April 2015 ahead of the premiere of the fifth season of "Game Of Thrones" and AppleTV subscribers will get their first month of HBO Now FREE!  Other streaming devices like Amazon FireTV, Chromecast, Roku, etc., will eventually get HBO Now, but not until the 3-month exclusivity on AppleTV is complete.  In conjunction, Apple also announced a 30% price cut of it's existing AppleTV Streaming unit down to $69 from $99 which could signal that a newer more powerful AppleTV is eventually coming Kids! But isn't that always the case with technology?