Two years post-launch and Airpods are still dominating the true wireless earbud space. But why?
By: Vincent Nallatamby
Tags: True Wireles, Headphones, Bluetooth, Airpods, Audio

It’s been more than two years since Apple first brought its now-iconic Airpods to market, and no other company has been able to develop a real competitor. Think about it — between tech giants like Samsung with its IconX, Huawei with its Freebuds, Google with its Pixel Buds and countless others, not a single company has been able to replicate Apple’s success in the realm of true wireless earbuds. How could this be possible?

Pic from 9to5Mac

It’s all about the software

A lot of people think Apple’s Airpod success can be attributed to the sleek design and quality hardware we’ve come to expect from the company. But if you look closely at the product and really consider the listening experience it delivers, it becomes quite clear that Apple took a software-first approach when developing its Airpods. To understand why, we have to first consider the difference between wireless earbuds and true wireless earbuds..

Wireless headphones have been around pretty much since the beginning of Bluetooth, allowing us to wear headphones without having to plug them into the sound source. Critically, they still require a wired connection between each ear. In contrast, true wireless earbuds do not require a wired connection between each ear — hence the term “true wireless.” It seems simple from a user standpoint, but there are tons of software and technical challenges associated with true wireless.

Because Apple has created a closed ecosystem with both hardware and software under the same roof, it had an inherent advantage over companies that focus exclusively on hardware and outsource software. In fact, I’d be willing to bet the team that developed the software for Apple’s airpods is the same team that works on its Bluetooth stack for iOS.

I’d be willing to bet the team that developed the software for Apple’s airpods is the same team that works on its Bluetooth stack for iOS.

Time for other players to step up their Bluetooth game

Apple filed patents for Airpods five years before they came to market, so clearly building this type of product takes time and competitors better act quickly. What exactly can other smartphone companies do to catch up with Apple in the realm of true wireless headphones? Simply put, focus on improving Bluetooth protocol to improve audio quality and stability.

To accomplish this, many smartphone companies are actually asking Bluetooth audio chipset manufacturers like Broadcom and BEStecnic to build a better solution. Unfortunately, there is a limit at what an external chipset manufacturer can do, and modifying the Android system and working on UX details is usually not part of their DNA.

This leaves smartphone companies with only two options. The first is to bring Bluetooth software development in-house, for both the Android system stack and the embedded stack for earbuds, which would be such a departure from their current organizational structure that it seems quite unpractical. The second option is to look for other Bluetooth software companies that can provide software for both sides of the equation.This is the more practical option, but still requires an understanding of what that Bluetooth solution needs to look like.

Apple showed the world what a true wireless headphone experience could be, but there’s no reason one company should have a monopoly on it.

Vincent

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