Apple’s new $549 headphones feature the Apple Watch-inspired Digital Crown

In case you missed this bit in Apple’s AirPods Max announcement this morning, the company’s new over-ear headphones feature the Digital Crown which was inspired by the Apple Watch.

According to Apple’s press release, the Digital Crown found on the right ear cup offers precise volume control. Just turn the Digital Crown to increase or lower the volume in fine increments. You also get the ability to play/pause audio, skip tracks, answer/end phone calls and activate Siri by pressing or pressing and holding the Digital Crown button.

In addition to the Digital Crown, you’ll also find a noise control button styled as a shorter Apple Watch Side button. Pressing this button switches between active noise cancellation and Transparency mode (on the AirPods Pro, you achieve that by pressing and holding the stem).

The new headphones are available to order starting today for $549 in the United States and 24 other countries and regions from apple.com and in the Apple Store app. The AirPods Max will begin shipping next Tuesday, December 15. The audio accessory requires Apple devices running iOS 14.3, iPadOS 14.3, macOS Big Sur 11.1, watchOS 7.2 or tvOS 14.3 or later.

The AirPods Max ship with an included Smart Case and a Lightning to USB-C cable. Extended AppleCare+ coverage for the new headphones is priced at $59.

For further information, visit apple.com/airpods-max.