Apple to produce its anticipated over-ear headphones in Vietnam
It would be the first time Apple has manufactured a new product in Vietnam as U.S.-China trade tensions run high during the coronavirus pandemic, according to The Information.
The new headphones will be different from the over-ear Beats headphones that Apple already offers. The new product will have a stronger focus on touch-control technology, Bloomberg reports.
In a breaking report Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and Debby Wu stated:
“Apple Inc. is developing over-ear wireless headphones with parts that can be swapped in and out, seeking to augment its AirPods business with a high-end audio product, according to people familiar with the matter. The Cupertino, California-based tech giant is working on at least two variations, including a premium version with leather-like fabrics and a fitness-focused model that uses lighter, breathable materials with small perforations”, the people said.
The report notes that prototypes of the headphones “have a retro look with oval-shaped ear cups that swivel and a headband connected by thin, metal arms. The arms stem from the top of the ear cups rather than the sides, the people added.”
The pads of these headphones are reportedly magnetic so that they can be replaced by a user. This could allow users to change cups between different materials for different uses, such as exercise.
Apple’s noise-cancellation technology from the AirPods Pro will reportedly feature, as will Siri voice control and integrated touch controls. The headphones are aimed at the high-end offerings from Bose, Sennheiser, and Sony which retail around $350. The report also states these headphones have been delayed:
“The Apple headphones have been in development since at least 2018 and their launch has been postponed at least twice, people familiar with their progress said. The company aims to unveil the product later this year, however complications during final development or from the Covid-19 pandemic could affect the timing and features again”, they added.
Apple’s ability to do final testing on audio products is also potentially compromised by the company’s virus-curbing measure of moving most of its employees to working remotely.”
acoustic components company Goertek and Chinese hardware company Luxshare would reportedly produce the product in Vietnam, though some of the headphones would also be produced in China.
Nikkei Asian Review also reported on May 8 that “millions” of the tech giant’s wireless earphones. It’s called AirPods will be made in Vietnam during the second quarter of 2020.
Source: VNexplorer, imore
