AirPods and volume control tip

[jabingla2810]

Ok, I've read all the complaints about using Siri for volume control, and yeah, it's not great.

But has everyone forgot about those physical volume buttons on the side on their phone?

My old headphones never had inline controls, so I'm totally used to feeling my phone through my pocket and changing the volume that way. Even while walking it's a complete doddle, doesn't even take a second.

Maybe try that?

 

[ipedro]

You're only thinking of your use case. Most women keep their phones in a purse, some people keep it in their backpack or brief case. Inline controls were a pretty good solution and their disappearance with AirPods is going to be noticed and their convenience missed.

Having an Apple Watch helps fix that problem but it's still too slow, having to open the dock, find and open the music or now playing app and then adjust the volume there. The Digital Crown should be configurable to adjust volume from the watch face.

 

[FSMBP]

Ok, I've read all the complaints about using Siri for volume control, and yeah, it's not great.

But has everyone forgot about those physical volume buttons on the side on their phone?

My old headphones never had inline controls, so I'm totally used to feeling my phone through my pocket and changing the volume that way. Even while walking it's a complete doddle, doesn't even take a second.

Maybe try that?

There is a reason Apple added volume/skip controls to their headphones over time. Especially with my iPhone tucked away, my $28 wireless generic EarPods provide much better convenience with its on-board controls.

 

[Stereo]

Maybe Apple should implement a new feature like tap right/left buds for +/- volume control instead of Siri.

 

[kjparfekt]

If I'm going for a run I want a running app opened on my phone to see time/pace/distance not the music app to control the volume. So far using Siri has been the easiest way to adjust the volume.

 

[Phil A.]

The lack of built in volume and skip controls does seem to be the only negative with the AirPods - I'm getting mine on Sunday so will see how much of a pain it is in real life then. I'll probably use my watch to control them: I'm currently using a Garmin Forerunner as my daily watch rather than my Apple Watch and ironically it's actually easier to get to the music controls with it than it is with an Apple Watch (you just hold a button down to bring up the menu, then press another one to get to the music controls)

 

[kjparfekt]

The lack of built in volume and skip controls does seem to be the only negative with the AirPods - I'm getting mine on Sunday so will see how much of a pain it is in real life then. I'll probably use my watch to control them: I'm currently using a Garmin Forerunner as my daily watch rather than my Apple Watch and ironically it's actually easier to get to the music controls with it than it is with an Apple Watch (you just hold a button down to bring up the menu, then press another one to get to the music controls)

Along those lines my old original pebble would be easy to adjust volume with two physical buttons on the side.

 

[CharlesShaw]

My tip: Having Sound Check enabled helps, if you mostly listen to the Music app (iOS) and ITunes (macOS). Reduces the need to adjust volume between songs. Especially helpful during a workout mix when your hands are not free.

 

[Perene]

The lack of a built-in remote (available in the EarPods) that adjusts the volume and pauses/resumes playback is right now the only downside I can think about these Airpods.

Couldn't they just create the same thing in a wireless version?

I would gladly use a thing like that to adjust the volume, Siri is not an option, neither is doing this with the IPP 9.7 volume buttons. I'll have to do this in each app, the thing is that I like the built-in remote because it allows me to do this faster. I'll have to modify the gesture attributed to the volume in the app I am using (nPlayer), I had this disabled for it.

 

[ScottButler]

The Digital Crown should be configurable to adjust volume from the watch face.

I can definitely see this happening in the future, just a little section in the Watch app that allows you to either have it set for Time Travel or Volume Adjustment

 

[CharlesShaw]

I don't use Siri, especially on the train to work. Nobody needs to hear me say, "Play songs by David Cassidy."

Remotes on headphones have always been my "go-to" and have dictated my purchase decisions since 2007.

I'm so delighted by the AirPods experience that I'll make the effort to control from the source. I've done it before, when the remote has broken (they almost always do) and I didn't get a replacement for a while.

I like the idea mentioned here about Watch crown as volume by default, but skip/repeat are the features I used the most. I'm too lazy to edit my playlists, so I often play the entire library in shuffle mode.

 

[PurpleSookie]

I just use the music complication on my watch face which brings up the music player and adjust the volume that way.

But if you didn't have a watch it would be a pain!!

 

[rockyromero]

I just use the music complication on my watch face which brings up the music player and adjust the volume that way.

But if you didn't have a watch it would be a pain!!

This seems ideal, especially when the Airpods are covered by earmuffs in colder weather.

Even inside working out, the AW is the most convenient for me.

Even when selecting the next recording.

➰

 

[supertomtom]

If I'm going for a run I want a running app opened on my phone to see time/pace/distance not the music app to control the volume. So far using Siri has been the easiest way to adjust the volume.

Like the OP suggested, using the physical volume control buttons on your phone as an alternative wouldn't interfere with your running app.

 

[miamialley]

Maybe Apple should implement a new feature like tap right/left buds for +/- volume control instead of Siri.

That's not a bad idea.

 

[blaine07]

Couldn't they just create the same thing in a wireless version?

.

No because we still have enough people worried about losing a ear bud lol. Something that could be lost would cause mutiny

 

[jclardy]

If I'm going for a run I want a running app opened on my phone to see time/pace/distance not the music app to control the volume. So far using Siri has been the easiest way to adjust the volume.

If your phone's screen is off the volume buttons control BT headphone volume.

 

[profmjh]

I use the Now Playing app on my Apple Watch. Volume uses the Digital Crown -- at last it has a purpose! It stays on that App, which has a small clock in the corner.

 

[CharlesShaw]

I use the Now Playing app on my Apple Watch. Volume uses the Digital Crown -- at last it has a purpose! It stays on that App, which has a small clock in the corner.

That's actually a decent compromise, now that 3.0 improves navigation. I'll give the "wake screen" = "always" setting another try.

 

[bhayes444]

Maybe Apple should implement a new feature like tap right/left buds for +/- volume control instead of Siri.

That would only be feasible for people using both at the same time. If someone is using just one AirPod then the left/right volume control scheme wouldn't work for them. If they let the double tap be reassignable to a volume control then the other could just be the complementing volume control, and a double or triple tap on either AirPod would adjust your volume. That would be the preferred method I think, but we will have to see if Apple does it.

Also, adding track skips to the volume controls would just require so many taps as to not be a very fluid experience.

 

[chfilm]

I think one day they'll make the whole side of it touch sensitive so you can slide your finger up and down to adjust the volume.

Seriously these AirPods amaze me. I'm laying in my bed listening to music on them right now. It feels like wearing no headphones whatsoever but as if he music was coming from inside my head! They're so elegant and magical, it's really the coolest product Apple has made in a while! Finally the vision for the iPhone 7 feels complete! happy!

 

[friedmud]

I think one day they'll make the whole side of it touch sensitive so you can slide your finger up and down to adjust the volume.

Seriously these AirPods amaze me. I'm laying in my bed listening to music on them right now. It feels like wearing no headphones whatsoever but as if he music was coming from inside my head! They're so elegant and magical, it's really the coolest product Apple has made in a while! Finally the vision for the iPhone 7 feels complete! happy!

I agree on both counts: the AirPods will eventually be touch sensitive for volume control... AND the AirPods are amazing.

I wore them for hours yesterday while Christmas shopping all over town... after about 15 minutes I couldn't even tell that they were in my ears. After hours they felt completely natural. Like you said: it seems like music is just coming from inside my head.

With the AirPods and Apple Watch I almost felt like a "bionic" man... seamlessly slipping from listening to music to taking calls to receiving and replying to texts.

I absolutely love these things. I know that many people have been down on Apple lately... but these and the Apple Pencil show that Apple can still create "magic" at times...

 

[Lucifer666]

With the AirPods and Apple Watch I almost felt like a "bionic" man...

There's definitely a 'Whoa' moment. I didn't really anticipate the new sensation, but they seem to go together.

 

[chfilm]

Yup, absolutely awesome, and I agree, it's like the pencil.

But I realized yesterday that INDEED they do have a tendency to slip out my left ear when I'm walking through the city.. I wish the exact same AirPods would exist but with a rubber tip to stick better in place... please please all mighty apple god. Please give it to us one day.

 

[3rdiguy]

I use the Now Playing app on my Apple Watch. Volume uses the Digital Crown -- at last it has a purpose! It stays on that App, which has a small clock in the corner.

Same here and it's a winning combination