Every music player, manufactured and marketed by Apple Inc. gets shipped with iPod earbuds. The model of these earbuds varies from one Apple device to the other. The white earbuds or earphones that accompany iPods have now become the brand’s symbol. These iPod headphones can also be used on other Apple devices like iPod Touch, iPads and iPhones.
The original iPod headphones were shipped with the 1st generation iPods. However, many users were not happy with these earphones’ large earbuds. Apple promptly responded to this consumer complaint and revised their earphones’ dimensions to make them smaller. The revised Apple earphones accompanied every iPod from the 2nd generation to the early 5th generation, the 1st generation iPod Nanos and the iPod Mini. Again in 2006, the iPod earbuds underwent another modification. The second revision made the earphones even smaller and sleeker. The 3rd generation earphones were shipped with 2nd generation iPod Nanos and late 5th generation iPods. Till January 30, 2007, all 2nd generation iPods and 1st generation iPod Shuffles were shipped with the 2nd generation Apple earphones. The same devices shipped after January 30, 2007 came with the 3rd generation earbuds.
Currently, Apple markets four types of iPod earphones. They are:
APPLE EARPHONES: IPOD HEADPHONES WITH NO CONTROLS
This is the basic Apple earphones model. The Apple earphones with no control accompany all iPod packs other than those of the third generation iPod Touch (available in 64 and 32 GB models). These headphones are not sold independently.
APPLE HEADPHONES WITH REMOTE
These headphones are also not sold independently. You will get them only with the 3rd generation iPod Shuffles. These headphones have buttons for controlling music, adjusting volumes and pausing or playing videos.
APPLE EARPHONES WITH REMOTE AND MIC
Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic get shipped with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4s and 3rd generation iPod. However, these iPhone headphones can also be bought independently. These headphones will offer the comfort and performance that you normally associate with Apple headphones.
Features: These advanced Apple Earphones boasts all the qualities of the basic Apple earphones, combined with a plethora of added features. The manufacturers have placed the headphones’ control capsule on its right earpiece’s cable. This control capsule contains one microphone and three buttons. What can you do with the remote control? Use the remote control incorporated in these iPod headphones for controlling music, playing videos and adjusting volume. If you are using them as iPhone headphones, you will be able to answer and end calls with these buttons. You can also use the remote for recording voice memos on a supported device.
Compatibility info: The Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic can be used in the majority of the Apple devices of the later generations. The following devices support both the remote and mic:
iPod Nanos (fourth generation onwards)
iPod Touch (second generation onwards)
iPod Classic (both 120 and 160 GB versions)
iPod 3GS and the models marketed after that
iPad
The third generation iPod Shuffle and all its later versions support only the remote. The audio is however supported by every iPod model launched till date.
The software requirements of these Apple devices vary from one model to the other; to know more check the facts below:
Fourth gen iPod Nanos require software version 1.0.3
120 GB iPod Classics require software version 2.0.1
2nd gen iPod Touch requires 2.2 or a later version
APPLE IN-EAR HEADPHONES WITH REMOTE AND MIC
This Apple earphones model was launched in September, 2008. You will not get these premium headphones with any Apple device. You will have to buy them independently. You can use the Apple In-Ear Headphones as iPhone headphones, iPod headphones as well as iPod Touch Headphones. The pack will inform you about the compatible Apple devices.
The Apple In-Ear Headphones offer impressive audio performance, you will experience striking sound isolation while using these headphones. These earphones will introduce you to the musical details that you were completely unaware of. You might be listening to a musical track that you have listened several times before but you will surely identify new niceties in it with Apple’s in-ear headphones.
Features:
The Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic has 2 high-performance drivers in each earpiece. One is a tweeter and the other one is a woofer. This feature ensures that the headphones produce rich, accurate and detailed sounds.
As mentioned earlier, you will come across few other headphones models that offer better sound isolation than the Apple In-Ear Headphones. The box comes with soft, comfortable silicon ear tips in three sizes, large, medium and small. Use the one that fits your ears the best. Once you insert them in your ears, they will block all the outside noises and allow you to enjoy your favorite music without any disturbance.
You can use the buttons on the headphones’ control capsule for answering and ending calls (on iPhones), for recording voice memos, for adjusting volume, for controlling music and for playing and pausing videos (when using them as iPod, iPhone or iPod Touch headphones).
They are equipped with mesh caps (made of stainless steel) that protect the headphones’ precision components from debris and dust. These caps can be removed for cleaning. If required, you can also replace the caps with the extra pair included in the pack.
You will also get a carrying case with every set of Apple In-Ear Headphones. This makes it easier to store these earphones and reduces the chances of misplacing them.
Compatibility info: The Apple In-Ear Headphones supports the same devices that are supported by the Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic.
If you want to experience the best sound quality on iPods, iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch, you should not look beyond the original Apple earphones. Like the musical players, phones and computers marketed by Apple, all Apple headphones are also of premium quality. These headphones are manufactured by the famous Japanese corporation Fostex and are quite reasonably priced.