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Re:How I discovered my left AirPod was bad by jasonkostempski on Saturday March 04, 2017 @05:32PM (#13793264)
I'm guessing lessons won't be learned here until this happens out of warranty. Headphones shouldn't be this complicated.
Re:How I discovered my left AirPod was bad by wyager on Saturday March 04, 2017 @07:08PM (#13793736)
In my dream world, Apple would make some sort of standardized bluetooth receiver similar to AirPods minus the actual audio hardware. It would just be the transceiver, electronics, sensors, and DAC. Then you could attach it (via e.g. a UE or Shure audio cable connector) to whatever IEMs you wanted.

This would not only address the fact that the actual audio on apple buds is very mediocre, but would also allow for some separation of concerns and easier replaceability/customizability.

Re:How I discovered my left AirPod was bad by 2muchcoffeeman on Saturday March 04, 2017 @07:37PM (#13793874)
They already make things like that. https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Bluetooth-Transmitter-Receiver-...

Some companies like Westone, also make a replacement bluetooth cable since their IEMs all have replaceable cables. https://www.amazon.com/Westone-MMCX-Bluetooth-Cable-78548/dp...

I am pretty sure the correct answer is: Stop making phones so thing and bring back the 3.5 headphone jack.

If the 3.5 really is a hindrance, come up with a connector that allows a simple adaptor to 3.5 jacks and still allows cabled charging. I already have a couple of L-adaptors for my headphones with straight connectors, so carrying a 3.5-to-Lightning doesn't bother me. But not being able to charge at the same time. WTF?

iPhone SE forever!

Re:How I discovered my left AirPod was bad by mappu on Saturday March 04, 2017 @08:14PM (#13794020)
The thinness wasn't the problem - there are hundreds of phones thinner than an iPhone 7 that still have the 3.5mm jack (e.g. Galaxy A8 is 5.9mm compared to iPhone 7's 7.1mm).

The problem was the increased space required for the taptic engine.

Re:How I discovered my left AirPod was bad by Razengan on Sunday March 05, 2017 @10:08AM (#13796244)
> the actual audio on apple buds is very mediocre

I for one find it to be more than adequate and actually good in fact.

Re:How I discovered my left AirPod was bad by icebraining on Saturday March 04, 2017 @06:13PM (#13793433)
Well, your AM receiver wouldn't support them anyway.
Re:How I discovered my left AirPod was bad by jasonkostempski on Saturday March 04, 2017 @10:41PM (#13794468)
HA! I do listen to AM radio quite a bit. They play the best, that have stood the test.
Re:How I discovered my left AirPod was bad by KC8ZKF on Sunday March 05, 2017 @02:04AM (#13794936)
meh. It all went to shit with superheterodyne. Muxing the carrier freq strips all the warmth from the audio.
Re:How I discovered my left AirPod was bad by wtbob on Saturday March 04, 2017 @08:58PM (#13794191)
What makes you think people who buy AirPods would keep headphones after the warranty period? One doesn't want to be seen in last year's headphones^WAirPods, after all!

I suppose it's kinda genius of Apple, turning a simple pair of headphones which can last for decades into a fragile piece of microelectronics with a life expectancy of years at best, months at worst. Not really what I'd call 'courage,' though.