Tim Cook, Apple Inc.'s chief executive officer since Steve Jobs passed on, took a tour around the New York Stock Exchange on Dec. 28 and granted a short interview with CNBC.
AirPods: 'Runaway Success'
Cook confirmed that Apple had a "great holiday season" in 2016. That is despite major issues with some of its products. For one, criticism against the AirPods did nothing to slow down the success of the new product.
In Cook's own words, the Airpods were a "runaway success." The revelation is not entirely surprising because people line up for iPhones even with minimal upgrades and amid criticism from experts. A "new" product from Apple that is not exactly new to its competitors would not be any different.
Watch the very short CNBC interview below.
NEW: Apple CEO Tim Cook tells CNBC that "it's been a great holiday" and the company's new Airpod headphones "are a run away success" pic.twitter.com/lDo0Fdw7ym
— CNBC Now (@CNBCnow) December 28, 2016
Apple came out with the iPhone 7 during the third quarter of 2016, and one of its much criticized features is the absence of a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The reason for this is simple, however. Apple was coming out with several Bluetooth products compatible with Apple devices to replace wired earphones and headphones.
The technology and concept are not really new. What Apple did with the iPhone 7 and AirPods was to eliminate the less expensive choices. After all, the AirPods are equipped with Apple's W1 chip so they can have a better and stronger connection with Apple products. This also means that, while users have a choice to use other Bluetooth headsets and earphones, their performance will pale in comparison to the AirPods since the non-Apple variants are not as compatible.
But critics initially felt the design of the wireless earbuds just looked downright weird.
'We're Making Them As Fast As We Can'
Apple is doing its best to speed up production of its $159 AirPods.
"We're making them as fast as we can," said Cook.
Apple wants more users who can attest to why it is a wonderful piece of technology that offers a life-changing experience for audiophiles. Well, wonderful but only to a certain extent.
Hiding A Mess Of Wires, Non-Recyclable, Impossible To Repair
iFixit cracked open a pair and revealed three important things about the device.
First, the nice exterior is hiding a mess of wires and cables — the kind of work that would never have been acceptable to Steve Jobs. Second, it is not eco-friendly because none of the parts are even recyclable. And third, it is impossible to repair, so breaking or losing even one piece would cost much to get a replacement.
All this, however, seems contrary to Apple's commitment to the environment.
"We work hard to keep electronic devices out of landfills so that the precious resources they contain can be reused [...] In addition, we're committed to making sure all the waste created by our supply chain and by us is reused, recycled, composted, or, when necessary, converted into energy," Apple wrote on its website.
With the mixed reviews on design, performance, and eco-friendliness, it's still hard to imagine the AirPods are, in Cook's words, a "runaway success."
