AirPods are earplugs now
Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 and numerous other wireless earbuds have active noise-cancellation features to block unwanted outside noise. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
Lately, I’ve been using my AirPods to hear nothing.
My usage of Apple’s AirPods Pro and other noise-canceling wireless earbuds has changed from when I first started wearing them half a decade or so ago. Back then, I’d pop in earbuds to listen to music, stream a podcast, or watch video on my phone or tablet while in a public place. I’d take meetings and calls with them or put them in when doing yard work for some motivational metal. On walks around the neighborhood, my earbuds would accompany me with audio to keep me entertained and moving.
Now, I most often don’t listen to anything when wearing them. I’ll pop the AirPods or another noise-canceling earbud in my ears when sitting in a coffee shop where the music and chatter is too loud;…
