Apple added a new dimension to the community with the launch of the iPhone 7 on Sept. 7, 2016, but doing so meant stripping out a beloved port to push consumers to upgrade to its new Bluetooth headphones, the AirPods .

This is Day 23 of 30 Days of iPhone, a look at the moments that shaped the smartphone era .

Why Did Everyone Laugh At The AirPods?

The AirPods were initially met with scepticism , with their form factor mocked as little more than toothbrush heads. Their open nature saw discussions about poor fit and accidental loss. Keeping the small batteries fully charged also required the supplied case. Finally, the poor reputation of existing Bluetooth earbuds, coupled with the $159 price tag, made it a hard sell.

Apple’s W1 chipset inside the AirPods countered many of these issues. It controlled the wireless connection, managed power for maximum efficiency, and included infrared sensors embedded in the buds that detected when they were placed in consumers’ ears. Crucially, Apple stripped away the long Bluetooth pairing process; opening the charging case automatically connected the AirPods to the iPhone.

Another pairing happened behind the scenes: adding the AirPods to a user’s iCloud account. The pairing carried over from the iPhone to Apple’s ecosystem, including iPads, Apple Watches, and Macs. Audio would switch seamlessly between devices.

From iPhone Accessory To Fortune 500 Financials

From an internet meme to one of the defining products of the second decade of the 21st century - and arguably the one true successful new product under Tim Cook’s Apple - the AirPods saw little white stems become the ubiquitous fashion of the hipsters and beyond.

The line has also been a financial success, with lifetime sales expected to pass $100 billion before the end of 2026 . The AirPods business alone would rival many Fortune 500 companies. For Apple, it’s just a - very profitable - accessory.

This is Day 23 of 30 Days of iPhone. Yesterday, we looked at the fallout from the San Bernardino encryption case .