I am NOT an early adopter of technology.
Most new technology is well past it’s mainstream “tipping point” before I elect to buy it or use it. Everyone else is running around gleefully exclaiming, “How did I ever live without this shiny new item?” While I’m shrugging and and wondering what the big deal is about.
Case and point: I still don’t have a Facebook account. I just can’t see how it will improve my life, so I am not willing to embrace it. Despite this outlook, I’m not anti-technology. I don’t secretly dream of running off to an Amish community when Keith isn’t looking. I’m just very selective about what technology I use.
There are some devices I wholeheatedly agree make life better. Like my Keurig. And GPS in cars. And smartphones…as long as you’re not obsessed with them and become one of those couples in a restaurant ignoring each other and playing on your phones instead of having a regular conversation. But, I digress…
So what’s the big deal with Airpods?
When Apple initially introduced the AirPods in December 2016, I remember thinking to myself, “Are you kidding?” I was 100% sure I’d lose at least one of them immediately. It would undoubtedly fall out of my ear on a run or hike. And I feared I wouldn’t notice until too late, and then I wouldn’t be able to find it on the ground.
Even if I somehow didn’t lose one of them in the first 24 hours, I worried I’d look like a big dork. I’ve seen people wearing their Airpods at all kinds of obscure angles. Best case scenario, you look like you have little white sideburns. Worst case, you look like a deranged person who should be wearing a tin foil hat.
Then there’s the cost – $159 for a pair of earbuds?! That seems a little steep.
Don’t get me wrong. I own a nice pair of Bose headphones that cost me more than that. But the Bose brand is synonymous with good quality sound.
While I love my Bose headphones, I can’t exercise in them. I’d look like I was wearing huge earmuffs. And I’d probably sweat so much I’d fry all the electronic elements. They’re great for watching videos on my iPad, or when I’m on an airplane, or when I just need some quiet to focus. But, they’re not for running or walking.
So I kept coming back to the Airpods for some reason. I’d see them in the store and think, “Hmmm- I like the idea.” But I still couldn’t justify the expense, and I kept moving.
So what changed my mind??
Once Apple introduced the iPhone 8 and X, I decided it was finally time to upgrade from my iPhone 5 that was starting to fade. (Yes, I still had an iPhone 5 in 2017! I know that means I was officially three models behind. I warned you at the start of this blog).
My new iPhone came with a set of headphones which were shaped suspiciously like AirPods with a cord. And they fit my ears like a dream. I started running with them in the mornings. I listened to podcasts on them. I enjoyed my audiobooks on my phone even more. They were awesome! And, so I started thinking about those AirPods again.
On my last day in the Army, I decided to reward myself with a farewell gift. I certainly didn’t need anything to commemorate the 21 years of my adulthood spent serving my country. But, what better excuse to spend $160 on myself, right?!
Plus, I could buy the Airpods at the PX. There’s no sales tax at the PX. That would save me $10 right off the bat! That’s way better than buying a pair at the Apple Store. (I’m a great rationalizer…)
All the reasons I love these Airpods
My AirPod purchase did, indeed, improve my life. I loved them so much I was kicking myself for not getting them sooner.
So, here’s the list of reasons I ❤️ my AirPods.
#1 – No more cords
While I was apprehensive that I’d lose one of them if they weren’t tethered somehow, that hasn’t happened yet. And let me tell you, cordless is awesome. No more need to weave the headphone cord under my shirt to keep it safely tucked away when I’m out running. No more having to pause my show on my iPad if I wander into the kitchen to get a snack. I could move how I wanted, and not be chained to a device. It was liberating and awesome!
#2 – They fit really well!
My fear about one of the AirPods falling out of my ears was all for naught. These earbuds fits me superbly. I have smaller ear canals, so I usually have to swap out those rubber pieces on earbuds to a smaller size to keep them snug. If I don’t do this, my auditory meatus (aka – ear hole) starts to hurt after about 30 minutes. So, I’m very picky about what I wear. The AirPods did not disappoint. I’ve done a lot of running and jumping in these babies, and they still impress me with how well they fit.
#3 – They pause when you remove them
I live with a husband and son who are often completely oblivious to the fact that I’m wearing headphones or earbuds. I can’t count the number of times when one of them will start a conversation with me and I have to say, “Hold on a sec. I need to pause this audiobook/podcast/video so I can hear you.”
With AirPods, as soon as you pull one of them out, whatever you are listening to automatically pauses. This is great!! It also alleviates my lingering fears that one of the buds will fall out without me knowing it. The paused audio will immediately clue me in to its absence. Even better – when you put the AirPod back into your ear, your audio resumes right where you left off. Genius!!
#4 – The charging case
Since there’s no cord on the AirPods, they come with a small charging case. This uses the same lightening cord as all my other Apple devices. And the case ensures my AirPods stay somewhere secure when they are out of my ears. Another great idea to ensure I don’t accidentally lose one.
#5 – The tap controls
AirPods also have customizable tap controls in them. When you double tap your left or right earbud, you can tell your device to pause/play, skip to the next track, go back to the last track, or enable Siri. For more details on how to set this function up, click HERE.
#6 – They work with all my Apple devices
I love that these work with all my bluetooth enabled Apple devices. I’m an Apple/Mac person. So my AirPods can be paired with my phone, my iPad, or my MacBook. It’s simple and intuitive enough that a technophobe like me can figure it out.
Do you have something you absolutely adore as much as I love my Airpods? Drop me a comment and let me know!
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