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AirPods don't “just work”

philip.design

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Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#321

Post by Wowfunhappy »

ericmay wrote: post #198
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...

I wouldn't let the lack of a headphone jack deter you from upgrading a phone if you wanted. You can get one of those adapter things and just leave it attached to your headphones if you wanted. I know people think it's annoying that you even have to do this but it's an option. I bet you can get one for free from a friend even. I do have a nostalgic feelings for the iPhone 4s and headphones. I wish there were products…

> You can get one of those adapter things and just leave it attached to your headphones if you wanted.

The problem is that I’d have to unplug that adapter to use my headphones with a device other than my phone, including other Apple devices like my Macbook. I would subsequently loose the adapter, guaranteed.

If the world could agree to use USB-C for everything, that might work, but Apple—who started this mess—is a prime holdout there.

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#322

Post by criddell »

eadmund wrote: post #244

You know what always just works? Plugging headphones into a headphone jack. It also uses significantly more well-developed technology which does not require the use of rare earth metals and eye-wateringly complex semiconductor manufacturing processes. And those wired headphones will still be in use years or even decades after those AirPods have corroded to nasty plastic and metal lumps in a landfill somewhere.

You still have that option but you might need to buy an adapter which doesn't seem like such a big deal.

Those wired headphones with noise cancelling and transparency modes probably do require eye-wateringly complex semiconductors.

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#323

Post by munk-a »

Cthulhu_ wrote: post #175
yoz-y wrote: post #113

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I'd pass the wires through my shirt, keep them from snagging or pulling my ears too much.

Back in the day I made good use of those oversized jacket pockets to pop my CD player in - then you just run the cable up under your shirt and you're good to go.

It's surprising how little of a hassle headphone cables can be - I understand that the market is going elsewhere but I've stuck with wired and couldn't be more content. This does have the side effect that I've been soft locked out of Apple phones though, so I switched over to Android devices.

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#324

Post by ziml77 »

thebean11 wrote: post #245
KptMarchewa wrote: post #209

Earlier quoted context omitted.

WH-1000xm3 sound much worse when wired. They are made to use internal DAC.

Wouldn't wired use the DAC on the device rather than the headphones? I thought the 3.5mm jack carried an analog signal.

That's his point. They're using the device's DAC when wired which is why it doesn't sound as good as when using Bluetooth through the headphones' DAC.

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#325

Post by rockostrich »

Wowfunhappy wrote: post #100
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…

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...

Yea, but can you just get up and use the bathroom while still listening in a meeting with wired headphones?

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#326

Post by jfoster »

toyg wrote: post #177
yoz-y wrote: post #113

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I agree, but the awkward "omg an airpod fell off after bumping into something/someone" is also a real thing. They should have an optional cord between the pair.

https://twitter.com/search?q=airpods%20toilet&f=live

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#328

Post by ashtonkem »

falcolas wrote: post #241
deltarholamda wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As much as people hate wires, I have to say that I much appreciate the "just works" aspect of it. Even wifi, while it has improved an awful lot over the years, is not nearly as reliable as the (albeit annoying) ethernet cable. I have the same issue with wireless keyboards and mice. The idea that I have to charge or put batteries into my mouse is infuriating.

> not nearly as reliable as the (albeit annoying) ethernet cable. I keep one plugged into an inexpensive USB-C "dock" at my desk, and it's wonderful. That and wired headphones mean I always sound decent, don't break up when the microwave's in use, and never have to play the "can you hear me now" game.

Opposite for me. The wifi in my office beats out my USB C adapter by a factor of 4.

Wifi is great, consumer grade routers are not though.

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#329

Post by InitialLastName »

323 wrote: post #313
InitialLastName wrote: post #308

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How many 2010 smartphones are still getting security updates, or updates that let them work with modern network standards? LTE was only barely available in 2010, and 3G is almost gone now.

LTE/5G is a hardware thing, you can't add it with a software update. Yet another point that it's not the sealed battery which is the problem.

You can't add it with a software update, but you could provide a modular phy (or continue support for older standards).

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#330

Post by Jcowell »

wccrawford wrote: post #50
MereInterest wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And sometimes it "just works", but only if everybody is within the Apple ecosystem. Otherwise, it's just a net exporter of problems. See, for example, SMS message of "Liked an image.", email attachments converted into icloud download links, .DS_STORE files scattered everywhere, and so on. Any time Apple comes up with a new feature that would require improving capabilities at a lower level, Apple instead makes a new l…

I overheard someone the other day ranting about Android phones and their broken SMS support. They apparently didn't realize it's actually Apple that has the buggy code/design and will try to send proprietary data to a non-Apple device.

Can you elaborate more on this
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