Tag: Comfortable

Posted on

AirPods 4 (2024)

Beginning in 2024 Apple began offering the entry-level AirPods 4 product in two versions: AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. These AirPods 4 are the “base” model without the additional features.

As Apple often mentions, “AirPods 4 are the best headphones Apple has ever created.” The updated headphones offer “open-ear design, setting an entirely new benchmark for fit and comfort.”

Apple improved the fit and comfort of these AirPods:

“The new design is built with an unparalleled data set that uses advanced modeling tools, like 3D photogrammetry and laser topography, to precisely map and analyze thousands of ear shapes and over 50 million individual data points in total. This process helped refine the design to deliver the most comfortable AirPods ever with one shape that naturally fits even more users around the world.”

AirPods 4 offer the following core technologies:

  • Custom high-excursion Apple driver
  • Custom high dynamic range amplifier
  • Voice Isolation2
  • Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking3
  • Adaptive EQ
  • Vent system for pressure equalization

The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation add 4 features, including Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode, and Conversation Awareness. These additional features also allow this model to use Live Translation for communicating across languages.

AirPods 4 are powered by Apple’s H2 headphone chip. Built-in sensors include:

  • Dual beamforming microphones
  • Inward-facing microphone
  • Optical in-ear sensor
  • Motion-detecting accelerometer
  • Speech-detecting accelerometer
  • Force sensor

These sensors offer many new features not available in previous “base” AirPods models:

“With the H2 chip, AirPods 4 unlock intelligent audio experiences only Apple silicon can deliver, such as Voice Isolation, enabling clearer call quality no matter the environmental conditions, and Siri Interactions, allowing users to simply nod their head yes or gently shake their head no to respond to Siri announcements. For even more control, AirPods 4 also feature a new force sensor on the stem to play or pause media and mute or end calls with a quick press.”

Each AirPod 4 is 1.19 inches (30.2 mm) x 0.72 inch (18.3 mm) and 0.71 inch (18.1 mm) deep. Each weighs 0.15 ounce (4.3 grams). The AirPods 4 case measures 1.82 inches (46.2 mm) x 1.97 inches (50.1 mm) and is 0.83 inch (21.2 mm) deep. The case weighs 1.14 ounces (32.3 grams).

The base AirPods 4 allows only USB-C connector charging, while the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation adds Apple Watch or Qi‑certified charging. AirPods 4 allow up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge, however, 5 minutes of charging provides around 1 hour of listening time.

AirPods 4 connect using Bluetooth 5.3.

Source: Apple (product page, newsroom)

Posted on

Apple Watch Braided Solo Loop (45mm, Size 12, Abyss Blue, Fall 2021)

The Braided Solo Loop Apple Watch band was released in 2020 along with the Apple Watch Series 6. The packaging describes this product as a “Textile Fitted Band.” According to Apple’s website:

“Each Braided Solo Loop features a unique, stretchable design that’s ultracomfortable and easy to slip on and off your wrist. Made from 100 percent recycled materials, the 16,000 polyester yarn filaments in each band are interwoven with thin silicone threads using advanced braiding machinery then laser cut to an exact length. The 300D construction offers a soft, textured feel and is both sweat-resistant and water-resistant.”

The color of this band is Abyss Blue, a shade of dark blue. It was available in 41mm and 45mm widths. The 41mm Braided Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 1–9, and the 45mm Braided Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 4–12.

According to Apple’s website, “This band comes in custom sizes because it’s designed for an ultracomfortable fit. An accurate measurement will help you get the size that’s right for you.” The website allowed buyers to download a PDF and cut out a “tool” that wrapped around the wrist to designate the band size needed.

Source: Apple, Bandbreit app

Posted on

Apple Watch Leather Link (44mm, M/L, Baltic Blue, Fall 2020)

The Apple Watch Leather Link was an Apple Watch band released in 2020. The design is similar to the previous Leather Loop design, but while the Leather Loop included a metal “eye” that looped back on itself, the Leather Link is secured solely by magnets.

Apple describes the Leather Link:

“The Leather Link features handcrafted Roux Granada leather made in France. The strap elegantly wraps around the wrist and magically attaches with flexible moulded magnets that gently flex to help maintain a secure, comfortable fit throughout the day.”

The Leather Link came in sizes including 41mm in S/M (130–160mm wrists) and M/L (140–180mm wrists), and 45mm in S/M (140–180mm wrists) and M/L (165–205mm wrists).

This example is Baltic Blue, a shade of dark blue with a hint of green, for the 44mm Apple Watch, and fit wrists in the M/L size range.

Presumably, this color is named for the color of the Baltic Sea, an part of the Atlantic Ocean that is enclosed by Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and North and Central Europe.

Source: Apple, Wikipedia

Posted on

Trail Loop (Blue/Gray, M/L, 2022)

The Apple Watch Trail Loop was released along with the Apple Watch Ultra on September 7, 2022. The Apple Watch Ultra “brings a new bold design and a wide range of features built for endurance, exploration, and adventure.”

In the original press release, Apple described the Trail Loop as one of its “New Bands Designed for the Great Outdoors.” Apple added:

“Designed specifically for endurance athletes and runners, the Trail Loop band is the thinnest Apple Watch band to date. The lightweight woven textile is both soft and flexible, allowing it to cinch to the optimal fit, and the convenient tab is designed for quick and easy adjustment.”

Apple’s product page described the Trail Loop:

“The thin, lightweight Trail Loop is made from a nylon weave creating a soft band with increased elasticity for a comfortable fit. The band is infinitely adjustable with a convenient pull tab for quick adjustments on the go.”

This Trail Loop is Blue/Gray. The main outer field of the band is a dark gray, while the inside of the band uses a thin alternating stripe pattern of dark and light gray. One edge of the band is accented in light gray and the other side is accented in blue. The connectors are made of the same color titanium as the Apple Watch Ultra. The band has a closure tab that is stitched to the main band.

All Apple Watch Ultra models fit the single-size 49mm case. The Trail Loop is made primarily of nylon.

Source: Apple (Product, Newsroom)