Weeks late, Apple's $159 wireless AirPods are finally available to order [Update]

In September, Apple unveiled the AirPods, its wireless earbuds designed to solve the problem that it created by removing the dedicated 3.5mm headphone jack from its iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. The company announced that they would be released at the end of October - but a few days before the end of the month, it suddenly revealed that their launch had been indefinitely delayed.

Today, weeks later than originally planned, Apple has finally begun accepting orders for the AirPods. Priced at $159, they offer up to five hours of audio playback, or two hours of talk time, and come with a portable charging case to replenish battery life on the go.

But while you can place your order for the AirPods today, Apple is advising buyers to expect delivery "by December 22". Apple describes the AirPods as "wireless, effortless, magical", and claims that they "will forever change the way you use headphones".

The company hasn't fully explained the reason for the delayed launch; in October, an Apple spokesperson simply said: "We don’t believe in shipping a product before it’s ready."

Apple says that the AirPods are compatible with "iPhone, iPad and iPod touch models with iOS 10 or later; Apple Watch models with watchOS 3 or later; [and] Mac models with macOS Sierra or later".

Source: Apple Store

Update: It looks like the AirPods have been pretty popular so far (or Apple simply didn't have much stock available). If you haven't already placed your order, you'll now have to wait at least four weeks for delivery.