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AirPods don't “just work”

philip.design

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Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#501

Post by dont__panic »

thenerdhead wrote: post #191

Here's a few more: - Airpods sometimes do not charge when in the case. Usually need to pull it out and put back in again. - Knowing what airpod(s) and case are charging. The UI on the phone, the open the case sliding window, the widgets, and the case light itself are not very useful. - Spatial audio working on some apps but you're not usually aware if it's on until you tilt an ear one way to confirm. - Out of ear det…

I really wish they'd add an LED per AirPod in the case, as an easy visual indicator that they're properly seated and charging. I don't know if I'm especially oily or something but both pairs of AirPods I've used have had charging issues in the case after just a few months, and it's so frustrating that it's almost impossible to tell if they're both charging in there.

Nothing like going out for a run and figuring out 50 feet down the road that your audio is only playing through one bud.

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#502

Post by bart_spoon »

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…

> 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 not waking up correctly when removing them from the case, etc are all part of the non-AirPods Bluetooth experience.

Many of these have been part of my experience with both my Airpods and Airpod Pros.

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#503

Post by tomcam »

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…

My AirPods Max pair horribly with my iPhone 13 mini, much worse than a pair of $20 Bluetooth earphones that of course sound much worse.

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#504

Post by RealityWinner »

eptcyka wrote: post #434
TurningCanadian wrote: post #187

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I believe the audio quality degradation when using the mic is a limitation of Bluetooth bandwidth. It switches to a different profile capable of sending and receiving audio instead of only receiving.

It's definitely not an issue with bandwidth, instead it's an issue of standardization. There just doesn't exist a bluetooth profile that supports high quality duplex audio communications between two devices. It's pathetic.

It doesn't exist because of bandwidth...

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#505

Post by jamestanderson »

dpark wrote: post #479
dont__panic wrote: post #475

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly. Removing the headphone jack is incredibly hostile to those of us who want to use wired headphones, and clearly motivated by the insane profits of wireless earbuds. And the worst part? It's working. Just look at the AirPods business and you'll see exactly why Apple does it. For myself, I'm sticking with an older phone and IEMs with replaceable cables. Super happy with it because I'm OK with the tradeoff of de…

> But they could make even more profit by adding a headphone jack and allowing folks who want wireless buds to use them. How would this generate more profit for Apple?

For one thing, I'd buy an iPhone again.

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#506

Post by SirFatty »

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 cheapy TOZO from Amazon, and honestly have none of those issues. At my desk, I toggle between the laptop and phone without issue...

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#507

Post by Tronno »

FunnyLookinHat wrote: post #212
toyg wrote: post #177

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

This is exactly why I have the old-school style with a wire connecting them that sits on the back of your neck. I had my toddler rip an earbud out just once for me to realize that was a design feature I had to have. As an added bonus, I find they're way easier to throw on and off (just loop them around your neck and tuck them in your shirt) in between tasks. Something like this: https://en-us.sennheiser.com/headphone…

The problem with this design is that anything that rubs or bounces against the cable transmits sound into your ear (like a children's cup telephone). This makes them annoying to use while exercising. I find that the style connected by a solid hoop mostly avoids this.

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#508

Post by AlwaysRock »

INTPenis wrote: post #486

It's nice for someone like me who left the Apple ecosystem many years ago to see that an image for producing fancy gadgets does not mean you can eliminate common software issues. Because this sounds just like any pair of BT headphones I've used in the last 2 years. Since I finally gave in and started using BT headphones All in all I love them, I love being able to clean with headphones on and not snag on anything. I…

Yup. The same thing happens with my car. I'm listening to something and the audio cut out? Looks like my wife is at home and Children of Dune is blasting in our driveway now.

I guess I like the fact that when I'm in the car I don't have to do anything for it to pair and work but... It seems like there has to be a better way.

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#509

Post by bravetraveler »

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.

I get that no cables can be nice and convenient, but routing the wire through a shirt/jacket helps avoid getting caught

edit: lol, an instant downvote - didn't realize I was on Reddit. It was at best a suggestion for when you have to get by with cabled headphones. I'm not on some holy war.

Re: AirPods don't “just work”

#510

Post by rkangel »

chii wrote: post #156
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 used to be like you. Then i tried, for real, a pair of bluetooth headphones. The disadvantages of the bluetooth is by far outweighed by the wireless advantage. The mobility, flexibility and convenience of no tangles and accidental wire pulling and causing phone to drop - all worth it. And wireless UX is only going to get better. Wired is dead.

I agree. I only got a pair of earbuds because they cam free with my phone but I was surprised by how lifechanging they were. Not in an important way, but in a low key and pervasive way.

There are two situations where earbuds are far more convenient:

Getting ready in the morning - I can put the earbuds in once I'm out of the shower and dried off and listen to a podcast. They don't get in the way of getting dressed, moving around etc.. This is just not workable with wired headphones and my partner has already started work so I can't use a speaker, and even if I could I'm moving between different rooms and floors of the house.

Driving - getting headphones out of your pocket, untangling them and putting them in is basically impossible to do (safely) while driving. But earbuds are never tangled I can just open the case and put them in all while my eyes never leave the road. Means I can make phonecalls or listen to stuff easily and safely. This is a particular case of them just being quicker and easier to put in than wired earbuds - no having to thread it down your jumper just because you want to watch a 5 minute YouTube video.

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