AirPods don't “just work” • Hacker News Board

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#131

Post by hoistbypetard » Wed, Jan 26, 2022, 2:16 PM UTC

Graffur wrote: post #81

dt2m wrote: post #63

All valid annoyances, but I really think OP should try using another brand of Bluetooth headphones for a week just to get some perspective of how well AirPods "just work" compared to the competition. Manually having to re-pair once in every blue moon, one earbud playing while the other isn't, no automatic device switching without having to go through the Settings app everytime, A/V desync, dodgy mic quality, earbuds…

I use Android and bought the cheapest wireless/bluetooth earphones I could find. They "just work". When I open the charging case, they connect to my phone. The bad points are the sound quality and the lack of noise cancellation

Some of the complaints OP lists are related to using the Airpods with multiple devices. While the complaints are correct, the Airpods are miles better than any bluetooth earphones I've ever used when it comes to switching sources. The dance to get my old earphones to move from my phone to my tablet was annoying and brittle by comparison.

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#132

Post by swah » Wed, Jan 26, 2022, 2:16 PM UTC

yoz-y wrote: post #113

Wowfunhappy wrote: post #100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Y’know what headphones really did “just work” though? Wired headphones, circa 2017. Their battery life was infinite. You could “pair” them in seconds to any device with a headphone jack, aka any device, because we’re in 2017. Oh, and they were cheaper and better for the environment. Courage, indeed. And this is why I’m currently typing my comment on an iPhone 6S...

Honestly, the fact that I no longer snag my earphones on random protrusions, like doorknobs and bus ticket validating machines is a bliss. Cables inside at a desk: sure, why not. Cables outside: hard pass.

Ditto. And since we now wear masks at the office, one notices how wireless earbuds are "mask compatible" when you try using cabled ones.

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#133

Post by soheil » Wed, Jan 26, 2022, 2:16 PM UTC

> Annoyance 7: When moving from working on my iMac to my MacBook, I get a notification asking me if I want to switch my AirPods over to my MacBook. The notification isn't an issue, but the fact it doesn't go away after you ignore it is

I have the same issue with Do Not Disturb notification on Mac. There is no way to have it not show up if you have a set time for DND unless you completely disable all notifications.

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#134

Post by tssva » Wed, Jan 26, 2022, 2:16 PM UTC

dt2m wrote: post #63

All valid annoyances, but I really think OP should try using another brand of Bluetooth headphones for a week just to get some perspective of how well AirPods "just work" compared to the competition. Manually having to re-pair once in every blue moon, one earbud playing while the other isn't, no automatic device switching without having to go through the Settings app everytime, A/V desync, dodgy mic quality, earbuds…

I have a cheap pair of SoundPEATS I got off of Amazon for $23. They don't suffer these issues. They "just work" with my Android phone and Thinkpad running Windows.

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#135

Post by fsflover » Wed, Jan 26, 2022, 2:16 PM UTC

DoingIsLearning wrote: post #52

I would add to the list that it is environmentally negligent to allow for such a complex device to be near irreparable (specifically on battery replacement). Unless you are selling medical devices your electronics should never be thrown away because after-sales cannot swap a battery. Then again Google just dropped the Pixel 3 after just 3 years so this is clearly an issue with the consumer electronics business model.…

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#136

Post by drewg123 » Wed, Jan 26, 2022, 2:16 PM UTC

For me, the most annoying "feature" of airpods vs other BT audio was that Siri started announcing incoming calls, and reading the contact name in full, or the full phone number, both of which take forever. I finally found a recipe to shut that off.

I don't recall siri being this invasive with my Bose BT headphones. I wonder why airpods got this special (annoying to me, likely wonderful to others) treatment.

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#137

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Jan 26, 2022, 2:17 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#138

Post by mbreese » Wed, Jan 26, 2022, 2:17 PM UTC

medbrane wrote: post #94

mbreese wrote: post #43

Annoyance 1 actually has a setting. You can setup the AirPods to actively switch to a preferred source (your phone), or stay connected to your computer. This one bugged the hell out of me for months before I found the option. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/switch-airpods-betwee... > To prevent AirPods from automatically switching between devices, go to Settings > Bluetooth. Tap the Actions Available button ne…

Note that you have to configure that on each device separately.

Very true, and it's not very intuitive, but at least the setting is available.

I guess that's the problem with "it just works" magic -- when it doesn't work, you need to have a few settings available. And unfortunately, those are rarely included.

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#139

Post by Causality1 » Wed, Jan 26, 2022, 2:17 PM UTC

if you instantly play the music you were listening to right before the call by clicking the play button on your keyboard, your music will play at a lower audio quality

I don't recall the names of the specific bluetooth profiles, but I wish Airpods and bluetooth headphones in general gave you more control over this. Sure, the older headset profile is noticeably lower quality but it's also virtually lag-free. I have a shitty old headset I use when gaming on my phone specifically because there's no noticeable latency.

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#140

Post by ulzeraj » Wed, Jan 26, 2022, 2:17 PM UTC

Within less than a year of use my AirPod Plus now makes very annoying buzzing sounds when the microphone is used or any other vibration happens. Its like having a wasp inside your ear. This only happens in transparent and noise reduction mode.

Assuming its broken not sure if I trust the product enough to buy another.