Apple is reportedly working on new over-the-ear wireless headphones, which are expected to rival offerings from other headphone manufacturing companies like Bose and even its own Beats by Dre. As per a Bloomberg report, the company is developing the new high-end headphones with active noise-cancellation (ANC) and the same could be launched by Q4 this year. The report states that Apple had decided an earlier launch date for the headphones, however, it was pushed back due to some development issues.
“Work on the Apple headset has been on-and-off over the past year. The company encountered similar problems with the HomePod during its development, including multiple redesigns, according to the people. It’s possible Apple will redesign the headphones again before launch, or scrap the project altogether, they warned, asking not to be identified discussing private development work.” the report said.
According to the report, Apple is also planning on integrating the W1 Bluetooth pairing chip for wireless pairing functionality, which is seen on the AirPods. As mentioned earlier, the company’s new headphones could also come with Pure ANC, which is said to not only block out ambient noises but also adjust for leakage caused by glasses, different ear shapes, hair and head movement.
Along with its over-ear headphones, the Cupertino based company is also expected to launch the second generation of its wireless AirPods. The new 2018 AirPods could allow users to access Siri using the ‘Hey Siri’ voice command, unlike the current generation AirPods which require a double-tap on the side for bringing up Siri. The improved AirPods might be water resistant and survive splashes of water or the rain as well.