Apple Says It Will Buy TSMC Chips Made In Arizona

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By Brittany Roston/Dec. 6, 2022 4:44 pm EST

Apple has announced plans to purchase and use chips made in the United States, specifically in Arizona at a factory owned by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, which is more commonly known as TSMC. The announcement was made by Apple CEO Tim Cook, who called the plan "an incredibly significant moment," according to CNBC. Apple has, of course, had a long relationship with TSMC, which is behind many of the chips found in the company's consumer devices, including the iPhone.

The notable aspect here is that TSMC will make some of these chips in Arizona, giving Apple the ability to say it uses "Made in America" components, as noted by Cook, as well as further reducing its reliance on overseas factories. The move follows multiple expansions into Vietnam and India, the latter of which may soon also be home to some of Apple's iPad production — assuming the company can find enough local talent to fill the manufacturing roles.

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As part of the announcement, Cook said that Apple is "investing in a stronger brighter future, we are planting our seed in the Arizona desert." This effort, which should help address some of the geopolitical concerns related to chip manufacturing in Taiwan, was brought about largely by the CHIPS and Science Act, which essentially offers subsidies to make domestically-located manufacturing more appealing for the companies that meet the world's electronic needs. The Biden administration is expected to comment on the matter soon, which may shed additional light on the plan.

As for the factory itself, TSMC's Arizona operations will be able to mint 3nm and 4nm chips — though the production timeline will be spread out over many months, as the factory will span two plants, one scheduled for launch in 2024 and the other a couple of years later in 2026. Though the factory isn't going to be a dominant player on the global scale, it will be able to meet the chips needs of the U.S. market, according to CNBC, making it all the more appealing for companies worried about potentially losing access to chip manufacturing based on the whims of China.

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10 AirPods Pro Competitors That Are Worth Checking Out

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By Kelly Hodgkins/Updated: Feb. 25, 2022 12:20 pm EST

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Wireless earbuds have exploded in popularity over the past few years, with Apple's AirPods leading the way. Yes, both the AirPods and AirPods Pro are bestsellers, but they are not the only wireless Bluetooth earbuds on the market. Ditching the AirPods doesn't mean you have to compromise. There are plenty of competing earbuds that offer everything you want for cord-free sound on the go. Choose wisely and you can get outstanding audio, stellar battery life, and a comfortable fit. Simplify your shopping with our compilation of the best wireless earbuds that rival Apple's flagship AirPods Pro. 

Anker

The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro not only looks like a pair of AirPods Pro, but it also shares a comfortable fit and many of the same cutting-edge audio features. You'll find active noise cancellation, audio pass through and voice amplification. You'll be able to listen to music when you want to rock out or tone down the sound when someone is talking to you. From the companion mobile app, you can change the noise cancellation parameters, allowing you to dial in the perfect sound for your environment.  

The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro is no slouch when it comes to audio. The sound quality is robust with a tight bass and vibrant treble. Yes, the mid-range is a bit flat, but you can compensate for that deficiency with the custom equalizer. Speaking of the EQ, you will learn to love those customizations, especially if you listen to a wide variety of music types. With a price tag just over $100, you're not going to find a better combination of sound quality, comfort and features.

Want the groundbreaking audio of the AirPods without their sterile white design? Then you should grab the Beats Fit Pro. Crafted by the Apple-owned Beats, the Beats Fit Pro true wireless earbuds offer the same basic audio features as the AirPods. The spatial audio is equally immersive, and the active noise cancellation is on par with the AirPods Pro. Designed for audiophiles, the sound quality in the Beats Fit Pro is jaw-dropping, especially when listening to high-fidelity tunes streamed from Apple Music. Beats bundles all this audio goodness and more into a colorful and compact package that is comfortable to wear.

Not surprisingly, the Beats Fit Pro integrates tightly with the iPhone, allowing you to access Apple's voice assistant with the simple "Hey Siri" command. You can send text messages using Siri's voice prompts and configure Siri to read your incoming alerts. And if that isn't enough integration for you, you even can adjust the volume of your music using your Apple Watch. Priced at the $200 mark, the Beats Fit Pro is as close to the AirPods in price and quality as you're going to get in a competing earbud.

SlashGear

Apple AirPods are incredible for iPhone owners, but they are not so great for Android owners. Android owners lose out on the stunning spatial audio  of the AirPods and other features like automatic ear detection and device switching. Android owners shouldn't despair as Amazon has got them covered. With support for Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa, Amazon's Echo Buds offer a diversity not found in Apple's AirPods. The Echo buds are easy to set up thanks to the Amazon Alexa app, which handles pairing and configuration. Best of all, the Alexa app is available on both iOS and Android. 

The Echo Buds have a non-descript appearance that blends in well with both office and gym attire. They are equipped with multiple ear tips and a handy test function in the Alexa app that'll help you get the best fit for your ear. Amazon also added active noise cancellation into the Echo Buds, which helps to dampen outside noise. Granted, the ANC in the Echo Buds isn't as effective as Apple's market-leading ANC, but it is impressive for earbuds at this lower price point .

Bose

Bose's exceptional noise cancellation and outstanding audio quality make these Quiet Comfort earbuds a worthy competitor to Apple's AirPods. Don't be shocked by the price. Bose is a premium brand, and these earbuds command a premium price. Are they worth it? It depends on whether you value looks or performance.

The sound quality on the Bose is well-balanced with robust bass and clear, crisp treble. Where the Quiet Comfort shines is the active noise cancellation. The noise cancellation is adjustable, allowing you to choose from either preset modes or use a slider to dial in the level from 0 to 10 of the noise cancellations you need. The ANC automatically adjusts to outdoor sounds, minimizing traffic and other ambient noise on the sound quality.

Sound quality is outstanding, but the design of the Quiet Comforts falls short. They are slightly oversized, and it is noticeable when you wear them. The issue isn't comfort. They fit securely and are comfortable, but they are not very subtle. It's not so easy to hide that you are wearing earbuds.

JLab

At a fraction of the cost of the AirPods, the JLab Epic Air Sport is perfect for people whose idea of fun involves working up a sweat. At the top of the sports earbud market, the JLab Epic Air Sport features an ear hook that secures the earbud to your ear and holds it in place even during high-impact exercise like running. It also has sweat resistance so you won't ruin your earbuds when your sweat level reaches maximum. 

You typically don't equate noise cancellation with playing sports, but JLab realizes that ANC is as useful in the gym as it is in a crowded subway car. We are happy to see active noise cancellation in the Epic Air Sport, but battery life is where these sport earbuds shine. The earbuds boast 11 hours of battery life with ANC and a whopping 15 hours with ANC off. The controls are a bit clunky and not as intuitive as the Apple AirPods, but the sometimes-confusing controls are the only gripe we have with the JLab Epic Air Sport.

Soundpeats

Want the look of the AirPods without the high price tag? Then check out the Soundpeats T3. They are not as full and rich as the AirPods, but their sound is still decent. Unless you are an audiophile, you won't care that the bass is heavy and the treble is a bit harsh. The touch controls are fumbly, and you'll likely have to carry around the included cheat sheet until you learn the controls you use the most. Once you memorize the different gestures, the touch interface is responsive.

The Soundpeats offer an impressive set of features for a budget pair of earbuds. They have active noise cancellation, which is surprisingly good in most circumstances. They're perfect for travelers who frequent noisy airports but don't expect them to keep things quiet when you are cutting the lawn. There's also an ambient mode that lets you hear your surroundings. This feature works as expected and is convenient but is not as good as the competition.

Master and Dynamic

Master and Dynamic MW07 Plus have a unique look that sets them apart from the Apple-esque styling of the AirPods Pro. The classy look is accompanied by fins that hold the earbuds securely in your ear. The fit is so tight that it blocks out ambient sound. This noise-reducing seal makes up for the fact that the earbuds lack any noise-canceling features. Also missing is a mobile app and the features like customizable EQ that go along with it.

Audio quality is exceptional, with a vibrant, bright sound that rivals most headphones. Bass also is robust, making the Master and Dynamic MW07 Plus ideal for those who appreciate the sound of the music and not just the lyrics. Call quality is equally good, thanks to the built-in microphone. Best of all is the battery life which powers the earbuds up to 10 hours on a single charge.

Sony's WF-1000XM3 earbuds have a hefty price tag, but, in this case, you get what you pay for. The WF-1000XM3s are great-sounding earbuds that check all the boxes and then some. Sony didn't skimp on the small details. Unlike many earbuds with substandard microphones, Sony's microphone is top-notch and provides rock-solid voice calling.

There are no surprises on the audio front. The WF-1000XM3 earbuds deliver the same warm, rich sound that we've come to expect from Sony's earbuds. Battery life is also great with an impressive six hours of continuous listening, and that's with noise cancellation turned on. This playback time jumps up to eight hours if you turn off noise cancellation and 15 hours when idle.

Unlike many earbuds that ship with silicone ear tips, Sony uses foam with the WF-1000XM3 earbuds. Not only does it make them super comfortable, but it also dampens the noise from the outside world. The foam squishes to create an excellent seal with your ear canal. Couple this physical sound deadening with outstanding active noise cancellation, and you have one of the best noise cancellation systems around.

Earfun

The budget Earfun Air Pro 2 offers surprisingly smooth sound for the budget price point. They are a great entry-level option for someone who wants high-end features such as active noise cancellation without the premium price tag. The Earn Air Pro 2 resemble the AirPods pro, which is a look some people may prefer

The Earn Air Pro 2 has the big three: active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and ambient sound. All three work together to improve the audio experience in various circumstances. An added benefit, the earbuds have an ear detection sensor that turns off your music when you remove the earbuds from your ears.

You won't believe how good these are for the price. Sound quality is above average across the board with just enough bass, not too much treble, and an acceptable range. They are surprisingly lightweight and comfortable with various tips to fit a wide range of people. Battery life also is decent. You'll get six hours of usage with noise cancellation and seven hours without it on.

Sennheiser

If you are buying wireless earbuds for all-around audio quality, you cannot go wrong with the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2. These are premium earbuds that come with a premium sound. They have a balanced, clear sound and outstanding instrument separation. If you don't like your levels, you can adjust them using the custom equalizer settings in the companion app. You also can use the app to control the active noise cancellation settings and dial in the perfect amount of noise dampening.

The touch controls are among the best we've encountered on a pair of wireless earbuds. A large touch area makes it easy to tap while wearing the earbuds. The controls also are customizable, giving you the ability to assign gestures to the actions you use the most. It's easy to answer phone calls using the earbuds. Calls are extremely clear thanks to the built-in microphone, which is among the best we've seen on wireless earbuds. The Momentum 2 earbuds are stylish and have a discreet, comfortable fit.

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