In addition to its own AirPods range and Beats, Apple has also sold audio products from third-party manufacturers - but that is now changing. Are the AirPods Studio on the way?
Although Apple has its own line of headphones, the company used to offer third-party headphones in its stores - but that is now set to change. A new Bloomberg report reveals that the company no longer sells competing headphones or other audio accessories. So is the announcement of the AirPods Studio imminent? Until now, Apple customers could find accessories from Bose, Sonos and Logitech in Apple retail and online stores. But these have now been removed from the website. The shelves in the stores are also set to be emptied. Bloomberg claims to have learned that Apple has instructed its retail employees to remove headphones and audio accessories from other brands. According to the report, this is part of Apple's new strategy to strengthen its own line of audio products, including the HomePod, AirPods and the upcoming AirPods Studio. It says in it:
AirPods Studio: Presentation next week?
All Bose headphones and speakers, Logitech's Ultimate Ears brand speakers and the latest Sonos smart speaker disappeared from Apple's online store late last month, Bloomberg confirmed.
Employees at physical Apple retail locations were also instructed to remove products that had been sold in stores over the past few days. Sonos shares fell as much as 71% as a result.
This is not the first time that Apple has removed a product from its range that competes with its own solutions. For example, the company stopped selling Fitbit products in 2014 immediately after the announcement of the Apple Watch. The same was done with some Sonos products when the HomePod was officially unveiled. Rumors that Apple is planning its own over-ear headphones are not new. In addition to statements from various leakers, there have also been hints in the iOS code. Apple's latest move is fueling these reports. It is currently assumed that Apple could present the brand new AirPods Studio at the next keynote along with the iPhone 12. The event is reportedly scheduled to take place on October 13th. An official announcement is still pending, however. This could appear in the next few hours. (Image: Apple)
