Apple AirPods news, release date: production for wireless headphone to begin next month, analyst says

Jessica Ferrera Friday, November 25, 2016

The Apple AirPods come with a custom charging case that provides an additional 24-hour battery life. | YouTube/Apple

After the release date was indefinitely pushed back, reports about the Apple AirPods are now starting to develop as an analyst revealed that the production of the wireless headphone will start next month.

The report came from Barclays analyst Blayne Curtis' research note. The information, according to CNBC, was obtained after Curtis went to Asia and had the chance to talk with some mobile manufacturers. Curtis' research note also said that the production of AirPods next month will initially target to produce a "fairly small" quantity of 10 million to 15 million.

During Apple's announcement of the AirPods, the gadget was promised to hit the shelves in October. However, before the month ended, Apple confirmed that they have to delay the release date.

Apple spokesperson Trudy Miller was quoted confirming the delay, "We don't believe in shipping a product before it's ready, and we need a little more time before AirPods are ready for our customers." Miller did not give more details as to why the delay was necessary but Apple enthusiasts were hoping that it will not be that long.

The AirPods gained mixed reactions from critiques and Apple customers as it followed the announcement of the iPhone 7 that has no 3.5-millimetre headphone jack. Despite the mixed reception, Apple told Tech Crunch that, "The early response to AirPods has been incredible."

Apple Insider reported earlier this month that the AirPods will not be shipped until January 2017. A report on the revenue growth forecast for the Taiwan-based manufacturer Inventec started the speculation. The manufacturer was expecting a 7 percent revenue growth because of the AirPods but they are not going to ship it until next year.

However, another report by Apple Insider says that an earlier shipping date has been spotted on an Apple-authorized reseller in the Czech Republic that has noted that the AirPods are going to be shipped next month.

Until Apple speaks up and clears the haze on the AirPods' new date of release, everything should be taken with a grain of salt. Apple AirPods are priced at $159.