Technology - Google News

Strong iPhone XR sales highlight Apple's need for a low-cost iPhone SE 2 - TechSpot
iPhone XR killed it in '19, beating out Samsung, Oppo, Xiaomi, Huawei models, survey finds - CNET
Audio not working for one of your AirPods? Here’s how to fix it - 9to5Mac

Strong iPhone XR sales highlight Apple's need for a low-cost iPhone SE 2 - TechSpot

Posted: 27 Dec 2019 09:13 AM PST

In brief: Ask the average tech consumer which iPhone they think was the best seller over the past few months and odds are, they'll say the iPhone 11. That'd be a solid selection considering how heavily Apple and carrier partners marketed the latest generation handset in recent months but surprisingly, it wasn't the best-selling iPhone during the quarter.

According to Counterpoint Research's Market Pulse, the iPhone XR was the best-selling model globally in the third quarter based on market share as it managed to capture a three percent stake. That's impressive considering the XR launched way back in October 2018 and it wasn't even the flagship model at the time.

So, what's happening here?

Well, part of it is just that – the fact that the iPhone XR isn't a flagship but rather, a budget model. Apple elected to keep the XR around for another year when introducing the latest iPhone 11 models, lowered its price (it now starts at $599) and started selling it in more regions including India.

The data illustrates the fact that not everyone is interested in $1,000+ flagship phones. Furthermore, it's probably even more evidence that a new iPhone SE 2 could do really well at the lower end of the pricing scale. Last we heard, this budget iPhone could arrive as early as the first quarter of 2020.

Masthead credit: iPhone XR phones by Hadrian

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iPhone XR killed it in '19, beating out Samsung, Oppo, Xiaomi, Huawei models, survey finds - CNET

Posted: 27 Dec 2019 09:29 AM PST

Apple may not be the world's biggest phone maker, but its iPhone XR appears to have been a hit.

Angela Lang/CNET

Apple's entry-level iPhone XR turned heads when it debuted last year. It offered the latest mobile chips, a pared-down camera and a lower-quality screen. But for all those trade-offs, Apple said it would charge $749 -- that is, 25% less than the $999 iPhone XS at the time.

When the iPhone 11 came out this year, offering many of the same types of trade-offs for $700, CNET named it the best midtier iPhone the company's ever made.

Now it appears buyers like that sort of value. Market watcher Counterpoint Research said Tuesday that the iPhone XR was the best-selling headset in the world for nearly a year. That meant it beat out other top handset models like the Samsung A10, Oppo A9, Xiaomi Redmi 7A and Huawei P30. (If these models aren't as familiar to you, that's because they're sold in China, and not all in the US.)

The research marks a win for Apple at a time when it's struggling to grow iPhone revenue. The tech giant has begun focusing on new subscription businesses, like its Apple TV Plus video on demand service, Apple Arcade gaming service, Apple News Plus magazine and newspaper service and Apple-branded credit card to pay for them all with.

Counterpoint said Apple was able to pull out its win for the iPhone XR in part by "adjusting" the XR's price to remain competitive with other, cheaper phones.

Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Audio not working for one of your AirPods? Here’s how to fix it - 9to5Mac

Posted: 27 Dec 2019 03:04 PM PST

While Apple's AirPods and AirPods Pro offer what many see as the best truly wireless earbud experience, there are times when they don't work as expected. Read on for some ways to fix a left or right AirPod that won't play audio.

If you've already checked Bluetooth on your iPhone or other Apple device and your AirPods are showing as connected but you're still not getting audio out of one of them, there are a few things to try.

How to fix an AirPod that won't play audio

Put your AirPods back in the charging case and double-check their charge (from the iPhone Home screen swipe from left to right)
If battery levels look okay, try putting them back in your ears
It may be worth popping them back in the case, closing the lid and trying them again

If an AirPod still isn't playing sound…

Head to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone while they're connected
Tap the "i" next to your AirPods
Choose Forget This Device, then tap it again to confirm
Put both AirPods in your charging case and shut the lid, wait 30 seconds before opening it
Press and hold the setup button on the back of the charging case until the status light is flashing white
Reconnect your AirPods by bringing them close to your device, follow the prompts on your device
See if they're working normally again