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Apple's AirPods Max Smart Case looks like an 'over-the-shoulder boulder holder'

If you've got $549 to spare, your cup runneth over.

Gael Cooper
CNET editor Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a journalist and pop-culture junkie, is co-author of "Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? The Lost Toys, Tastes and Trends of the '70s and '80s," as well as "The Totally Sweet '90s." She's been a journalist since 1989, working at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Sidewalk, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and NBC News Digital. She's Gen X in birthdate, word and deed. If Marathon candy bars ever come back, she'll be first in line.
Expertise Breaking news, entertainment, lifestyle, travel, food, shopping and deals, product reviews, money and finance, video games, pets, history, books, technology history, generational studies. Credentials
  • Co-author of two Gen X pop-culture encyclopedia for Penguin Books. Won "Headline Writer of the Year"​ award for 2017, 2014 and 2013 from the American Copy Editors Society. Won first place in headline writing from the 2013 Society for Features Journalism.
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Gael Cooper
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Bra, purse or headphone case? You decide.

 Apple

On Tuesday, Apple announced its new AirPods Max over-the-ear headphones, which will sell for a whopping $549 when they launch next week. Whether the headphones are worth that chunk of change is one thing, but check out the case that stores them. With a handbag-like handle, and two very delineated cups, the Smart Case looks kind of like a bra for Star Wars Stormtroopers, or a purse you might see on Westworld. 

The case is included with purchase of the AirPods Max (as well it should be, for that price). Apple says it's a "soft, slim Smart Case that puts AirPods Max in an ultralow power state that helps preserve the battery life when not in use."

Watch this: AirPods Max hands-on: New noise-canceling king

The distinct shape sparked more than a few memes and jokes. "The AirPods Max case is more useful than I thought," wrote Twitter user, juxtaposing pictures of the case with a lacy blue bra. Another posted a photo of a mannequin wearing the case on its chest. 

The curvy cups drew plenty of bra comparisons.

"This is not how women are included in the world of tech," said one Twitter user.

But some thought the case looked more like a purse. "An AirPod case, but make it a butt purse," said one Twitter user.

And still others thought the case resembled a sleeping mask.

Buyers can purchase the AirPods Max -- and its unusual case -- beginning Dec. 15.