Answer: EARBUDS

Earbuds are small, lightweight headphones that are designed to fit snugly into the outer ear. They are commonly used for listening to audio from devices like smartphones, tablets, or music players. AirPods, on the other hand, specifically refer to wireless earbuds produced by Apple. They are known for their seamless connectivity with Apple devices and various advanced features.

Note: The provided meaning of the answer is for the latest New York Times crossword puzzle clue: AirPods, e.g.. Explanations are generated by AI and may be inaccurate.