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☆ Apple's surprising new AirPods hearing aid feature might actually be a success
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-28 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 now feature FDA-approved hearing aid capabilities. The Hearing Aid feature in Apple's AirPods Pro 2 is designed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss, and Apple said it can amplify voices, phone calls, and media sounds. So I sought out an expert in the hearing loss community to get a better understanding of whether we should expect Apple's hearing aids to be a hit or miss. The Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017 made it legal for the FDA to regulate the sale of hearing aids that don't require a prescription or a trip to the audiologist. As the daughter of a woman who suffers from hearing loss, I've witnessed my mother's denial of her struggles.

Persons: Apple's, —, Apple, Katherine Bouton, Bouton, Bose, I've Organizations: FDA, AirPods, Service, Food and Drug Administration, of America, Apple, Costco, Walmart, Bureau of Labor Statistics

☆ The best new iOS 18 features that are available now for iPhones
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Ana Altchek | Jaures Yip | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

With iOS 18, Apple is bringing updates to a wide range of apps and features, including Mail, Photos, iMessage, and Apple Wallet. And while iOS 18 will eventually feature Apple Intelligence features for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 lineup, you'll have to wait until October to see those features start rolling out. AdvertisementHere are some of the changes we're most excited about iOS 18. A new home screen designApple iOS 18 lets you customize your home screen wallpaper, app icons, and widgets. Apple Maps is becoming more hiker-friendlyApple Maps will have topographic maps with detailed trail networks and hiking routes with iOS 18.

Persons: —, it's, Ronak Shah, You'll, Craig Federighi, Apple Cash, Apple AirPods, Siri, Apple Organizations: Service, Apple, Apple Intelligence, Business, Tapbacks, Google, OpenAI Locations: Siri

☆ Apple turning AirPods into hearing aids underscores effort to crack massive health market
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-12 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Apple announced on Monday that its AirPods Pro 2 headphones will become an FDA-cleared hearing aid in the coming weeks through a software update. Apple CEO Tim Cook has highlighted health features as the company's "most important contribution to mankind." The new feature is a free software update for some AirPods models and will be included with Apple's $249 AirPods Pro 2. Many over-the-counter hearing aids are much more expensive, according to buyers guides cited by the Hearing Loss Association of America, an advocacy group. Analysts say that adding health features like a hearing aid expands the market for the device, which could help sales.

Persons: Sumbul Desai, Tim Cook, Barbara Kelley, Apple, Gene Munster Organizations: AirPods, Apple, FDA, Food and Drug Administration, RBC Capital Markets, of America, Analysts, Asset Management

☆ Apple’s new AirPods are also hearing aids. Can they really save you thousands of dollars?
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The company said the wireless headphones will double as clinical-grade over-the-counter hearing aids for those who need them. But over-the-counter hearing aids like these aren’t always the solution for hearing loss. Over-the-counter hearing aids, such as Apple’s offering, also are not a treatment for “severe or profound” hearing loss, according to the FDA. If it can also serve as a hearing aid, I think that’s really exciting.”Apple’s announcement was applauded by some hearing aid users on social media, as well. But many noted one clear advantage traditional hearing aids have over AirPods: Hearing aids have battery life measured in days, not hours.

Persons: Apple, ”, Sumbul Ahmad Desai, Desai, Barbara Kelley, ” Kelley, Kelley, “ There’s, “ Organizations: CNN, Food and Drug Administration, FDA, Apple, American Heart Association, of America Locations: United States, Germany, Japan

☆ Apple's AirPods just challenged over-the-counter hearing aids
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( Geoff Weiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewApple has the over-the-counter hearing aid market in its sights — and execs in the audiology space are likely sitting up straight after Monday's announcement by the tech giant. The AirPods Pro 2 — first launched in 2022 and refreshed in 2023 — will soon feature a "clinical-grade, over-the-counter Hearing Aid feature" via a software update slated for the fall, Apple said. Related storiesThe AirPods Pro 2 retail for $249, while over-the-counter hearing aids can range from $99 to $3,000, according to the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Apple's new hearing-focused features for the AirPods Pro 2 are multifaceted. AdvertisementThe Hearing Aid feature on AirPods Pro 2 can boost voices, media, and phone calls, Apple says.

Persons: —, Apple, Johns Hopkins, Dr, Nicholas Reed Organizations: Service, Business, Apple, Food and Drug Administration, Street, World Health Organization, WHO, National Council, Aging, AirPods Locations: Germany, Japan

Apple said Monday that a version of its latest AirPods earbuds will come with built-in hearing aids, which it says would help more than 1 billion people globally. The feature on the AirPods Pro, which Apple describes as equivalent to an over-the-counter hearing aid, is designed for users with mild to moderate hearing loss. "This helps them better engage in conversation, and keeps them connected to the people and environment around them," Apple said. AppleThe AirPods Pro will use the personalized hearing profile to inform how its hearing aid feature adjusts sounds in real time, including phone calls, music and other types of media. Apple noted that according to the World Health Organization, about 1.5 billion people around the world live with hearing loss.

Persons: Apple, ” Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s Organizations: Apple, World Health Organization, AirPods, Apple Watch, U.S . Food, Drug Administration

Apple on Monday charged into the artificial intelligence craze with a new iPhone lineup that marks the company’s latest attempt to latch onto a technology trend and transform it into a cultural phenomenon. The four different iPhone 16 models will all come equipped with special chips needed to power a suite if AI tools that Apple hopes will make its marquee product even more indispensable and reverse a recent sales slump. Most of Apple’s AI functions will roll out as part of a free software update to iOS 18, the operating system that will power the iPhone 16 coming out in December. English will be the featured language at launch but an update enabling other languages will come out next year, according to Apple. Although Apple is releasing a free version of its operating system to propel its on-device AI features, the chip needed to run the technology is only available on the iPhone 16 lineup and the high-end iPhone 15 models that came out a year ago.

Persons: Siri, Tim Cook, Apple, ”, Paolo Pescatore, OpenAI Organizations: Apple, Samsung, Google, Apple Intelligence, Samsung Galaxy Locations: Cupertino , California, Monday’s

The company just announced what's next for all three of its AirPod models: the AirPods, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max. Apple AirPods (4th Gen) Apple's latest generation of AirPods features a new design to optimize comfort for wearers of every kind. Check price at AppleApple AirPods with Active Noise Cancellation Apple's base AirPods now come with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) without the use of in-ear tips. Check price at AppleApple AirPods with Active Noise Cancellation Apple's base AirPods now come with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) without the use of in-ear tips. Check price at AppleApple AirPods 4th Generation and AirPods Max specs

Persons: what's, AirPods Max, Max, Apple AirPods, AirPods, Siri, Apple AirPods Max Organizations: Business, ANC, Apple, Apple Apple, AirPods, Pro, FDA

Both the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Pro will be available for pre-order on Friday and in stores on September 20, Apple announced. They’re also available in two sizes: 6.1 inches for the iPhone 16 and 6.7 inches for iPhone 16 Plus. IPhone 16 ProThe new iPhone 16 Pro. From AppleThe iPhone 16 Pro, Apple’s higher-end iPhone, features even more AI features than the iPhone 16. Price: The new Apple iPhone 16 Pro will cost $999 and the iPhone 16 Pro Max will be $1,199, the company announced Monday.

Persons: Dan Ives, Wedbush, haven’t, Apple, ” Craig Federighi, Siri, Erica, ultramarine, Max, AirPods Organizations: CNN, Apple, Apple Watch, Apple Apple, Apple Intelligence, Pro, US Food and Drug Administration, Apple Watch Apple

☆ Apple 'Glowtime' event summary: Tim Cook announces new iPhone 16 series, Apple Watch, AirPods, and AI features
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-09 | by ( Jordan Hart | Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Apple Park is buzzing after Tim Cook and other executives took the wraps off the new iPhone 16 lineup, AirPods 4, AirPods Pro, and the latest Apple Watch Series 10. The Apple executives were careful to walk through how the new iPhone 16 will be outfitted with the company's flavor of generative AI features, called Apple Intelligence, and the new features available in iOS 18 as a result. AdvertisementOver the course of Apple's "It's Glowtime" event, the company showcased a range of AI features, new camera technology, and other improvements to both its hardware and software. Apple Intelligence will be closely integrated across iOS 18, and that means more people will likely use AI on a daily basis as a result. Not all of the features will be available right at the launch of the iPhone 16, with some available later in the year or even in 2025.

Persons: —, Tim Cook Organizations: Service, Apple, AirPods, Apple Intelligence, Business, Google, ChatGPT . Apple Intelligence Locations: ChatGPT

☆ Apple's AirPods will lower the volume so you can have a conversation in real life — but is that rude?
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-09 | by ( Katie Notopoulos | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The noise-canceling ones include a feature called "Conversation Awareness" — and it could change the way we talk to each other. (This feature debuted last fall with the AirPods Pro models.) Isn't it, you know, kind of rude to keep your AirPods in while talking to someone — even if the sound is turned down? So how do you tell if someone is wearing their AirPods to help them hear, or is just being rude? So maybe the norm around wearing AirPods even while talking in real life should change — and will help normalize using AirPods as hearing aids.

Persons: I've, I'm Organizations: Service, Apple

View at AmazonThere are even more options for Prime Day Apple Watches, and Prime Day iPads still available in our other guides. For an extensive breakdown divided up by size, see our full roundup of Prime Day TV deals. View at AmazonThere are even more sleep deals where those came from — check out our roundups of the best Prime Day mattress deals and Prime Day pillow deals. Do I need to be an Amazon Prime member to buy Prime Day deals? Amazon Prime Day deals are comparable to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with the main difference being that Amazon is the only participating retailer.

Persons: Siri, They're, you’ll, Jonathan Adler, it's, dehumidifier, vacs, Fryer, Foodi, Fry, fryer, MagSafe, Kate Spade, they're, Bose Smart, Ray Soundbar, Ray, Anker, Amazon Nathan James Hugo Wood Nightstand, Nathan James, Inaba, waddle, Dyson, ”, Gabrielle Chase, “, we've, haven't Organizations: Business, Amazon, Apple, Amazon Apple, Apple Health, Amazon LG, Amazon Samsung, Sony WH, Sony, Amazon Sony WH, Amazon Anker, Amazon Bose, Amazon Beats, Samsung, Clarks, Casper, Pillow, Morris, Morris & Co, Toshiba, LG, Dell, Galaxy, Alexa, Amazon Alexa, Hatch, Amazon Belkin, Apple Watch, Nintendo, Nova, Nova Pro, Logitech, Lightspeed, Mac, lounging, Amazon Canada, packers, Amazon Fisher, Prime, Chatelet Air, Dyson, Amazon Philips, Philips, Amazon Prime, Deal Locations: PopSockets, York

Learn moreAmazon Prime Day is on its second and final day, and it's always interesting to see what you, our readers, buy during the big sales event. So far, readers have been especially keen on Prime Day Apple deals, including 32% off the AirPods Pro. Unsurprisingly, Prime Day TV deals have also been popular, with big-screen displays like the LG G3 OLED enjoying significant discounts. Below, you can find 17 of the most popular deals our readers have been grabbing during Prime Day. Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon's website for more.

Persons: Apple, We've, Siri, Foodi, Fry, fryer Organizations: Business, LG, Amazon Prime, Apple AirPods, Apple, Air, MacBook, Amazon Apple, Apple Health, Amazon LG, Amazon Samsung, Amazon, Apple Watch

Learn moreAs far as Prime Day deals go, this is easily the best one I've seen this year. Apple has since phased out the original Lightning port version, and given the new ones get discounted regularly, we haven't missed them. I have the Lightning port version, and I'm very tempted, even with a Pro 3 model likely coming toward the end of the year. The perfect Prime Day AirPods Pro dealLowest Price Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) with USB-C $168.99 $249.00 Save 32% The AirPods Pro 2 are a big upgrade from their predecessors, with improved noise cancellation and battery life, new touch controls for volume, and a redesigned case with a built-in speaker and pinpoint location tracking. If you want to see what else is on offer and a longer list of headphones and Apple products, check out our roundup of the best Prime Day deals.

Persons: I'm, haven't, Sony's, I've, Kevin Costner's, — they're Organizations: Business, Apple, Air, Samsung Locations: Yellowstone

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Persons: Reddit, Dyson, We've, It's, we've, Anker, Philips Organizations: Business, Amazon, nutritionists, Apple, Pro, SBC, AAC SBC, Philips

Prime Day TV dealsThis Prime Day, we're seeing some of the biggest price drops of the year on top TV models from our favorite brands. Prime Day laptop dealsLaptops go on sale year-round, but Prime Day is traditionally the best time of year to make a purchase. Prime Day mattress dealsMattresses go on sale several times a year, but few sales offer as lucrative mattress discounts as Prime Day. Prime Day Amazon device dealsDuring Prime Day, many of the best Amazon devices see their lowest prices ever. Prime Day travel dealsSummer travel is underway, and so are the best Prime Day deals on luggage and backpacks.

Persons: We've, AirPods, we've, Siri, Samsung's, They're, you’ll, He's, Jonathan Adler, it's, dehumidifier, Dyson, vacs, Crisp, we're, Fryer, Foodi, Fry, fryer, they're, Bose Smart, Ray Soundbar, Ray, Anker, You'll, iPhones, MagSafe, Kate Spade, scoped, Amazon Nathan James Hugo Wood Nightstand, Nathan James, waddle, Inaba, haircare, ”, Gabrielle Chase, “, haven't Organizations: Business, Apple, Amazon Apple, Apple Health, Amazon, Amazon LG, Amazon Samsung, Sony WH, Sony, Amazon Sony WH, Amazon Anker, Amazon Bose, Amazon Beats, Samsung, Clarks, Casper, Pillow, Morris, Morris & Co, Dyson, Upright, Toshiba, FlexBrew, Hamilton, LG, Dell, Alexa, Amazon Alexa, Hatch, Amazon Belkin, Apple Watch, Logitech, Seagate, ASUS, Meta, Nintendo, Nova, Nova Pro, Lightspeed, Mac, Google, Galaxy, lounging, packers, Amazon Fisher, Prime, today's, Chatelet Air, Amazon Canada, Amazon Philips, Philips, Amazon Prime, Deal Locations: November's, PopSockets, York

Learn moreAmazon Prime Day, which is in its final stretch today, has brought many of our favorite tech, beauty, and home products to all-time-low prices. We check every deal against our tested guides and price tracking to make sure you're getting the best products for the lowest cost, optimizing your Prime Day experience. As more of Business Insider's top-rated products and brands go on sale during Prime Day, we'll continue to update this page with new discounts. If you're looking for a solid Android tablet, this is an excellent option, especially at its lowest price ever for Prime Day. Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon's website for more.

Persons: it's, we'll, MagSafe, Max, ”, Gabrielle Chase, “, Herschel, Eero Organizations: Business, Samsung, Amazon, Kindle, Apple, Herschel Supply, Amazon Samsung, Amazon LG, LG, Adidas, Alexa, Amazon Prime

The best Prime Day AirPods deals include the big discounts on the brand's wireless earbuds and high-end over-ear headphones. The best Prime Day AirPods deals are expected to last through July 17, but certain models could sell out before the event ends. View at Amazon What we like Check mark icon A check mark. View at Amazon What we like Check mark icon A check mark. Apple sells three earbud-style AirPods: the second-gen AirPods, third-gen AirPods, and AirPods Pro.

Persons: Max, AirPods, you've, they're Organizations: Business, Amazon Prime, ANC, Apple, Apple AirPods, AirPods

Persons: haven't, they're, Apple, We're, Siri, we'll, doesn't, Amazon Nathan James Hugo Wood Nightstand, Nathan James, we've, Dyson, you've, it's, fryer, Bose Organizations: Business, Echo, Amazon, Apple, Amazon Apple, Apple Health, Amazon Prime, Olympics, Sony, LG, Samsung, Dolby, Amazon Samsung, lounging, Amazon Philips, Philips, Bose, Amazon Sony WH

To help you browse the best ones going on now, I've rounded up the best 4th of July sales below. The best 4th of July electronics and appliances sales Appliances and electronics are notorious for their hefty price tags, which makes sales like these priceless. In time for the warming weather, I'm seeing some great price drops on air conditioner picks from our guides to the best portable air conditioners and the best air conditioner units. Burrow The best 4th of July home and kitchen dealsIt's a good time to buy furniture, whether you're shopping for indoor or outdoor pieces. SaatvaThe best 4th of July mattress dealsMattresses are on sale most of the year, it's true.

Persons: it's, We'll, BioLite, Abt Friedrich, Friedrich, AJ, AJ Madison Traeger, TCL, Rumpl, Kit, Burrow, Lauren Savoie, Hannah Freedman, Cha, they're, you'll Organizations: Business, Ikea's, Steam, LG, GE, Amazon Prime, Abt, eBay, Energy, AJ Madison, Independence, Samsung, Apple AirPods, Apple, Amazon, GE Gaming, Day, tote Locations: Burrow, Kyusu, Cha Kyusu, Brooklyn, Lo

Shop at Walmart What we like Check mark icon A check mark. Local dimming for excellent contrast controlCheck mark icon A check mark. Shop at Mattress FirmFor a full breakdown of mattress deals, check out our guide to the best Memorial Day mattress sales. Shop at Amazon What we like Check mark icon A check mark. Shop at Amazon Shop at Kohl's What we like Check mark icon A check mark.

Persons: we've, you'll, you've, fryer, Braun, Fryer, Ninja's, Ninja, Crisp, Pick, It’s, Max, Casper, Pillow, Topper, Allbirds Organizations: Business, Apple, Day, Samsung, Walmart, Samsung TV, Amazon Sony, Amazon Samsung, Amazon, DreamCloud Sealy, Amazon ., Shop, Ninja, Sony, JBL Bluetooth, Amazon Beats, Amazon Apple, JBL, Haven, Elm, Flyers Locations: Brooklyn, France, Chewy

☆ We're raising our price target on Apple after its big earnings beat and raise
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Earnings per share rose 1% to $1.53, a March quarter record, and exceeded the LSEG consensus estimate of $1.50. This resulted in stronger-than-expected free cash flow, which is more important than operating cash flow because it is cash Apple can ultimately return to shareholders via buybacks and dividends. During the reported quarter, Apple paid over $27 billion to shareholders, including $3.7 billion in dividends and equivalents and another $23.5 billion via the repurchase of 130 million shares. Quarterly results Apple's services sales notched another record, which offset a slight miss in product sales and led to beats on gross and operating income. iPad sales are expected to gain double digits year over year, much better than the 5.9% expected on Wall Street.

Persons: Tim Cook, Cook, we're, Apple, Luca Maestri, Maestri, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim Organizations: Apple, Management, MacBook, MacBook Air, Apple Watch, Fortune, Apple Vision, KLM Airlines, CNBC, Apple Inc, Visual China, Getty Locations: China, Greater China, America, East, Canada, India, Spain, Turkey, Indonesia, WWDC, U.S, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Shanghai

Learn moreAmazon's Big Spring Sale features limited-time discounts on various products, from family apparel to popular tech items, including great headphone deals on several top models from brands we love. Highlights include the Soundcore Life Q30, our pick for the best budget noise-cancelling headphones, which are back down to an all-time low price. You can also get $100 off the high-end Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones or snag a pair of Apple's AirPods Pro for $60 off their full retail price. If you're not sure which pair is right for you, check out our guides to the best noise-cancelling headphones, best wireless earbuds, and best Apple AirPods to learn more. These wireless earbuds offer good sound with active noise cancellation, 11-hour battery life, and Fast Pair for quick, seamless switching between compatible Android devices.

Persons: it's, Anker, Bose Organizations: Business, Sony WH, Price Apple, Amazon Sony WH, WH, Sony, Soundcore Liberty, Liberty, Amazon Bose, Amazon, Wireless

☆ A tech modder is selling a DIY kit to upgrade your AirPods Max with a feature expected in Apple's next-gen version
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A self-proclaimed hardware hacker modded his AirPods Max to have a USB-C charging port. It's rumored that Apple's next generation of the headphones will ditch the Lightning port for USB-C. AdvertisementOne engineer is giving AirPods Max owners one less reason to upgrade to the new model that Apple is expected to eventually announce — if they're the DIY type. But Pillonel wasn't willing to wait, dubbing his modified headphones the "World's First USB-C AirPods Max" in his video description. While it then added the port to many of its devices, including iPads and accessories, the MacBook has used a USB-C port for years.

Persons: Max, —, Ken Pillonel, iPhones —, Pillonel wasn't, That's, that's, Pillonel Organizations: Service, YouTube, Apple, Bloomberg, eBay

☆ Inside Apple’s chip lab, home to the most ‘profound change’ at the company in decades
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Katie Tarasov | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +13 min

Its most advanced silicon is primarily manufactured by one vendor, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. "We built what we call the unified memory architecture that is scalable across products," Srouji said. Apple's silicon team has grown to thousands of engineers working across labs all over the world, including in Israel, Germany, Austria, the U.K. and Japan. The primary type of chip Apple is developing is known as a system on a chip, or SoC. Apple's senior director of hardware validation Godfrey D'Souza shows off an M3 SoC in an Apple chip lab in Cupertino, California, on November 14, 2023.

Persons: John Ternus, Srouji, we're, Katie Tarasov, Andrew Evers, Ben Bajarin, Bajarin, Apple, Apple there's, Pro Max, Kaiann Drance, That's, who's, Ternus, Nvidia —, Tesla, Stacy Rasgon, Apple's, Godfrey D'Souza, Sydney, they've, Rasgon, Apple's Srouji, It's Organizations: AMD, MU, Apple Watch, U.S, Apple, Intel, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Microsoft, CNBC, Apple's, Amazon, Google, Tesla, Semiconductor, Creative, Pro, Triple, MacBook Air, Qualcomm, Nvidia, Bernstein Research, Sydney Boyo, Bluetooth, Broadcom, Samsung, Micron, Thursday Apple Locations: Cupertino , California, Israel, Germany, Austria, Japan, Silicon Valley, San Diego, Austin , Texas, AirPods, Taiwan, China, Arizona, Peoria , Arizona, Asia, Europe, U.S

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