New AirPods add longer talk time, hands

New AirPods are here at last.

On Wednesday, Apple announced its second-generation AirPods. The new wireless earbuds look identical to the old model, but come with a new H1 chip to achieve up to 50 percent longer talk time on a given charge, and enable hands-free "Hey Siri" voice controls.

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With the H1 chip, the new AirPods get up to 5 hours of listening time and up to 3 hours of talk time (up from 2 hours on the first-gen AirPods).

The new chip also enables 2x faster audio connection when switching between Apple devices (i.e. switching from iPhone to iPad). Audio latency has also been reduced, which should mean better-synced sound for things such as gaming.

The new AirPods cost the same as the old model, too: $159 with a regular "standard" charging case. They're also available with a Wireless Charging Case for $199. The wireless charging case can also be picked up separately for $79 — good for if you want to add wireless charging later.

Like Apple's iPhone 8 and newer, the Wireless Charging Case works with any Qi-based wireless charger; it includes an LED on the front of the case to indicate charging status.

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The new AirPods with "standard" charging case, with Wireless Charging Case, and as a standalone Wireless Charging Case are all available for pre-order from Apple starting Wednesday and ship next week. They'll also be available in-stores next week.

Additionally, Apple's also offering the option to engrave an AirPods case at checkout when purchased online. The engraving is on the front of the AirPods case.

Siri can now be activated without tapping the AirPods. Credit: apple

The hands-free Siri voice control is nice, though. Now, you don't need to reach for your iPhone to adjust the volume or tap on the side of one AirPod to activate the digital assistant.

"For the first time, AirPods now feature the convenience of 'Hey Siri' making it easier to change songs, make a call, adjust the volume or get directions simply by saying, 'Hey Siri,' Apple said in a press release.

All in all, the new AirPods are a solid update. Although it would have been nice to get longer listening time, more than 24 hours of listening time in buds in such compact earbuds and case is still far more than competing products.

There are tons of wireless earbuds available for less and for more than AirPods, but none balance sound quality, size, battery life, and seamless connectivity between devices as well as AirPods.

As for the Wireless Charging Case: finally. Apple announced the case alongside the iPhone 8 and iPhone X back in 2017. Now, we just need AirPower.

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