In a move that’s probably going to raise some eyebrows, Apple has apparently decided to stop selling some audio equipment from some prominent companies in its stores, both physical and online.
As first reported by Bloomberg on Monday night, Apple has abruptly stopped selling audio equipment from Sonos, Bose, and Logitech. This includes speakers, but also headphones as well. It’s an interesting move, because Bose is a leader when it comes to noise-canceling headphones and it’s hard to ignore the lingering rumors that Apple may launch its own over-ear headphones with Active Noise Cancellation as early as later this month.
Now, when you visit Apple’s online retail storefront and try to find something, like Bose’s Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, you’ll run into Apple’s list of its own products, rather than what you’re looking for.
From the sounds of it, these products were all available to buy as of the middle of September. Probably even at the end of the month as well. However, as of early October, Apple has decided to pull the products from its store shelves.
Again, this isn’t just headphones. Apple has also pulled speakers from the aforementioned companies as well.
What’s more, the removal of these products has left an obvious absence of products. However, when you visit the headphones and speakers section on the company’s online store you’ll only find Apple products now. There are still Beats products, of course, but Apple acquired Beats years ago, so there’s no surprise there.
At the time of publication, both Bose and Logitech have confirmed with Bloomberg that Apple is not going to sell their audio products any longer.
Apple is rumored to be launching a set of over-ear headphones, reportedly called AirPods Studio, sometime soon. They could be unveiled at an upcoming event this month, expected to happen on October 13. We’ll also see the new iPhone 12 lineup on that day, too, if the rumor mill pans out.
What do you think of this move? So far Apple has been fine selling competing companies’ products and accessories, but it looks like that has come to an end for audio products.