Technology

AirPods 4 vs. Pro 2: Is the newer model worth it?

Published

2 hours ago

October 6, 2024

AirPods 4 vs. Pro 2: Is the newer model worth it?

I’ve been reviewing Apple AirPods in addition to other wireless earbuds for years now, and I currently use Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 earbuds as my daily driver.

It’s still safe to say that the Apple AirPods Pro series earbuds are a bit better in terms of sound quality than the standard AirPods series; however, with the release of the AirPods 4 in September 2024, the gap has been closed significantly.

If you’ve been shopping around for new earbuds for your iOS devices, you might be deciding which is the better buy for you — the AirPods 4 or the AirPods Pro 2. Today, I’ll do an in-depth comparison of the two Apple offerings to help you decide which one is the better purchase. Let’s get into it.

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A woman holds AirPods (Kurt “The CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Pricing: AirPods 4 vs. AirPods Pro 2

AirPods 4 are cheaper, but you can get a good deal on AirPods Pro 2

If you are shopping for AirPods on a budget, the AirPods 4 standard model is a quality set of earbuds that retails for $129 from Apple. An AirPod 4 model with active noise cancellation is also available, but you’ll need to pay a bit more for it at $179. We’ll unlikely see any price fluctuation on the AirPods 4 until the winter holiday season since they were just released. Still, even that is unlikely outside of bundle deals with the newest iPhone 16.

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The more premium AirPods Pro 2 retails from Apple at an MSRP of $250. However, keep in mind that the AirPods Pro 2 was released in March 2019, meaning they frequently go on sale from third-party stores and websites such as Amazon and BestBuy. At the time of writing, you can pick up a pair of AirPods Pro 2 for $189 from Amazon.

AirPods next to an iPhone (Kurt “The CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Hardware: AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 2

The AirPods 4 catch up to the H2 chip

For me, audio quality is the most essential factor in buying new headphones or earbuds. When it comes to the actual hardware inside both of these earbuds, they are pretty on par. The AirPods 4 features the same H2 chip that has been in the Apple AirPods Pro 2 since 2019.

When I first tried the debut Apple AirPods, I found something missing in the overall audio quality. The H2 chip finally converted me to AirPods in 2019 with the Apple AirPod Pro 2, and I’m more than excited to see it finally come to the standard AirPods series. The H2 chip brings many new hardware-based audio features to the AirPods, such as spatial audio, dynamic head tracking, hands-free interaction with Siri and an improved microphone with voice isolation.

For the AirPods 4 with ANC, you’ll also get access to the AirPods Pro 2 ANC settings, which include adaptive audio, conversation awareness and a transparency mode that balances background noise in your earbuds to help you hear a bit of everything. The AirPods 4 feature a force sensor, which allows you to control playback with a simple tap on the AirPods stem, while the AirPods Pro 2 feature a Touch control, which will enable you to turn the volume up or down by swiping on the AirPod Pro 2 while it’s in your ear.

A person holding AirPods (Kurt “The CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Performance: AirPods 4 vs. AirPods Pro 2

Comparable performance, different wearing styles

Thanks to the audio improvements that come with the H2 chip, there really isn’t much to write about the difference in audio quality between the AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2, especially if you compare the AirPods 4 with ANC to the AirPods Pro 2. The ultimate difference comes down to whether you find silicone-tipped earbuds comfortable. I personally like the forming-to-size use of silicone tips, and I generally prefer silicone-tipped earbuds over plastic earbuds, which means I prefer the AirPods Pro series over standard AirPods.

However, many people find plastic-tipped earbuds like the one featured on the AirPods to be fine or comfortable. It ultimately comes down to which type of earbud you prefer. This also depends on whether you want or need ANC. I like ANC, especially when traveling by plane or on a train, to block out background noise. However, some people find that ANC, especially when paired with a silicone-tipped earbud, can cause headaches or an uncomfortable layer of pressure between the earbud and ear.

If this describes you, I recommend getting the AirPods 4 without ANC and avoiding the AirPods Pro series. At the same time, if you enjoy the plastic construction of the earbuds but also want ANC, you can pick up the AirPods 4 with ANC, which is a better bargain than the AirPods Pro 2.

A set of Apple AirPods (Apple)

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Now is a great time to pick up any AirPods, as the new AirPods 4 release has brought prices down. Thanks to the inclusion of the H2 chip into the AirPods 4 lineup, especially the AirPods 4 with ANC, you are essentially getting the same audio quality in the AirPods Pro 2, just with a different earbud tip style. If you prefer the silicone-tip earbud style of the AirPods Pro 2, I would suggest keeping an eye on prices at stores such as Amazon. That way, you can keep track of any sales on the AirPods Pro 2 as we approach the holiday shopping season.

Are you planning on buying any new headphones or earbuds as the holiday shopping season approaches? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

Trailers of the week: Nosferatu, The Franchise, and Squid Game 2

Published

2 hours ago

October 6, 2024

Press Room

Trailers of the week: Nosferatu, The Franchise, and Squid Game 2

Can you feel it? There’s a slight chill in the air, the Sun is retiring earlier, and the leaves are beginning to change (at least in my Midwestern city). We’re wading right into the time of year when everyone starts posting the vampire Kermit the Frog meme to show how ready they are for Halloween. I’m even starting to eye that Shudder re-subscribe button.

October has its own vibe at the cinema, and theatrical releases this month include Operation Blood Hunt, a movie about 1944 special forces fighting werewolves in the Pacific theater, and Seven Cemeteries, a Danny Trejo-starring film about a guy who hires a witch to resurrect his posse to save a woman’s ranch. And let’s not forget Rumours, which I’m very excited for.

So I’ve got a couple of this week’s scary movie trailers for you to check out below, along with two streaming series. Enjoy!

1922’s Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror was a Dracula movie in all but name. So much so that Bram Stoker’s heirs got a court order to have the movie’s copies destroyed, yet some copies survived. Now, over 100 years after its release, Nosferatu is getting a remake starring Bill Skarsgård as the vampire Count Orlok, AKA Nosferatu. Lily Rose-Depp and Willem Dafoe also star.

The newest trailer does a great job setting up the atmosphere of terror that the townsfolk feel toward Count Orlok, but Focus Features isn’t showing us Orlok himself quite yet. Nosferatu hits theaters on December 25th.

Companion

I don’t know what the heck is going on with Warner Bros.’ Companion. The teaser for this Drew Hancock-directed movie starts with a head fake, making you think it’s a love story. Then it quickly devolves into what looks like a thriller about a woman (Sophie Thatcher) being held captive by a man (Jack Quaid).

I think that’s a head fake, too. There’s a bizarre moment, at the end of the trailer, where Thatcher’s character holds an unshaking hand over a candle until her arm catches fire. She’s crying, so she clearly feels pain, but the movie’s classification — it’s a sci-fi thriller — makes me wonder what’s going on underneath.

I hoped that by texting the number in the description on the trailer’s YouTube page I would glean a little more. It involves a questionnaire to “Find Your Companion today” that includes a request for a selfie. I got this at the end:

This is a lie; I love magicians.

Image: New Line Cinema

That didn’t answer any questions for me, but at least I’ll be getting marketing texts now. Anyway, Companion hits theaters on January 10th next year.

Three years after the first hit season of Squid Game ended and spawned a reality show spinoff, the Netflix show is returning with its second season on December 26th. A new teaser this week showed Gong Yoo’s Salesman preparing for work (and probably to do some slapping). It ends with him talking directly to the camera as he asks “Sir, would you like to play a game with me?”

The Franchise, HBO’s new series following the making of a fictional comic book-style movie, looks like a delightful takedown of Hollywood’s ongoing superhero obsession. It’s written by Jon Brown, who also wrote Succession, and stars Himesh Patel and Lolly Adefope as Daniel and Dag, two production workers on the film. Daniel Brühl is in there too — a bit of fun casting, given his role as Zemo in multiple Marvel productions. The Franchise begins streaming tonight at 10PM ET on Max.

Technology

Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin plans to launch a new crew capsule on Monday

Published

10 hours ago

October 6, 2024

Press Room

Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin plans to launch a new crew capsule on Monday

Blue Origin is preparing to launch its NS-27 mission with the RSS Kármán Line, its new crew capsule, on Monday at 9AM ET. It will be the first launch for the capsule, which the company says in its announcement will have improved performance and reusability, along with “an updated livery, and accommodations for payloads on the booster.”

The flight will carry two LIDAR sensors into space that will be used for Blue Origin’s Lunar Permanence program to develop Moon landers. Those are among 12 payloads that also include ultra-wideband proximity operations sensors, a reproduction of the black monoliths from 2001: A Space Odyssey, and student postcards submitted to its Club for the Future nonprofit. Blue Origin will stream the launch on its website, starting 15 minutes before liftoff.

NS-27’s next flight comes as Blue Origin works toward the goal of becoming a real SpaceX competitor. Company CEO Dave Limp, the former Amazon hardware boss who took over late last year, said the company needs to “be able to build things a lot” to become “a world class manufacturer” in an interview with CNBC.

“We’d like to [be delivering] about an engine a week by the end of the year. I’m not sure we’ll get exactly to a week, but it’ll be sub-10 days … [and] by the end of 2025, we have to be faster than that,” Limp said.

Blue Origin plans to launch New Glenn, its big reusable booster that recently completed its first second-stage hot fire test, for the first time in November. Blue Origin says the rocket can deliver 45,000 kilograms (more than 99,000 pounds) into low Earth orbit, which CNBC notes is roughly double what SpaceX’s Falcon 9 can do. The company also hopes to land the booster on its first flight.

Technology

Using your Apple Watch to monitor blood pressure

Published

10 hours ago

October 6, 2024

Press Room

Using your Apple Watch to monitor blood pressure

Regular monitoring of blood pressure is essential for maintaining heart health, especially for those with hypertension or concerns about high blood pressure.

With the advent of technology, checking blood pressure has become easier and more accessible, particularly through devices like the Apple Watch.

Let’s explore how to use your Apple Watch to monitor your blood pressure.

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A woman wearing an Apple Watch. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why monitor blood pressure at home?

Monitoring blood pressure at home allows you to track their readings over time, providing valuable insights into their health. This practice can help identify trends, manage medications and understand how lifestyle factors such as diet and stress affect blood pressure levels. Regular logs can serve as benchmarks for what is considered a healthy range for each individual.

A woman wearing an Apple Watch. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Can the Apple Watch measure blood pressure?

While the Apple Watch itself cannot measure blood pressure directly, it can be paired with compatible blood pressure monitors. These devices typically consist of an arm cuff and a wireless connection to the Apple Watch, allowing you to sync your readings with the Health app. This integration makes it easy to keep track of blood pressure data alongside other health metrics.

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A woman wearing an Apple Watch. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Compatible blood pressure monitors

Several blood pressure monitors are designed to work seamlessly with the Apple Watch, offering features such as Bluetooth connectivity, data storage and integration with health apps. Check out our three recommended blood pressure monitors that work seamlessly with the Apple Watch.

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A man wearing an Apple Watch. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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How to check blood pressure using your Apple Watch

Using a compatible device like the OMRON Platinum Blood Pressure Monitor, follow these steps:

Open the OMRON Connect app on your Apple Watch and tap the [START] button.
Place the OMRON Platinum cuff on your upper arm and ensure it is ready to inflate.
Press the [START] button on your Apple Watch to begin the measurement.
View your measurement history and set reminders through the app on your watch.

A woman wearing an Apple Watch. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Incorporating blood pressure monitoring into your daily routine can significantly contribute to better heart health. While the Apple Watch cannot measure blood pressure on its own, its compatibility with various monitors makes it a powerful tool for health management. By regularly checking your blood pressure and making necessary lifestyle adjustments, you can take proactive steps toward maintaining a healthy heart.

What strategies or tools have you found most effective in managing your blood pressure and maintaining your overall heart health? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

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