We know they resemble miniature shower heads, or perhaps a pair of rather fetching earrings; we know they incorporate dual optical sensors so they can automatically pause and play music; we know they come with dual microphones and a battery that should keep them powered for up to five hours on a single charge; and we know they’ll empty our wallet of $159 should we decide they’re the perfect fit for our shiny new iPhone 7.

What we don’t know, however, is whether they’ll keep slipping out of our ears.

Costing as much as they do, the sensation of one of the earpieces slipping from our ear is likely to be as scary as it is annoying. Conan O’Brien, evidently aware of such concerns, this week came up with an amusing spoof ad (above) that draws its inspiration from those classic Apple commercials broadcast around 10 years ago. O’Brien clearly believes the AirPods are set to become a real money-spinner for the Cupertino company – so long as people keep losing them.

Questioned on the burning issue during an appearance on Good Morning America this week, Apple CEO Tim Cook insisted that up to now, when trying out the AirPods, they’ve not once dropped out.

“I’ve been on treadmills, walking, doing all the things you normally do … and I have never personally had one fall out” Cook said, adding that “snipping the wires” actually makes them more secure than wired alternatives as they don’t get caught on things or slip out through their own weight.

The iPhone 7 launches today, but we won’t find out how secure the AirPods are till the end of next month, which is when they go on sale.

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