Airpods - new owners views, problems and questions

[Quu]

Having used them since Monday I'm really loving these a lot. The sound quality is really quite good and the feel in the ear they just melt away and you forget you're wearing them.

My only criticism is the time it takes to switch them from my iPhone to my Mac. Clicking them in the menu bar or within iTunes takes a long time sometimes as long as 30 seconds before they start playing music. But I think this can be solved with future software updates as sometimes they connect instantly so there is just an issue of consistency in speed.

I think overall they're a solid product, much like the Apple Watch though there are some early software rough edges that need to be ironed out.

But I will say using them with the iPhone is flawless for me. Connects straight away, ready to use soon as you pop them in your ears. Really impressive.

I'm a runner, I've run with them every day since the day after I received them (I run in the mornings). And I've not had them fall out or even come loose. They're in my ears solidly, but of course this is all about the shape of your ear whether the same will be true for you, I always found the Earpods fit me okay but did fall out sometimes, I think mostly due to the cable riding up on my shirt and pushing the Earpods up and out of my ears which isn't the case with the Airpods obviously.

My friend asked me recently if I regretted paying £159 for these especially when there are other headphones available at a much lower price point. And I really don't, the convenience of these, not having a cable dangling on the back of my neck like with my Jaybirds, it's really nice, worth every penny for me.

 

[MICHAELSD]

Holy **** I ****ing love these.

Sound quality is almost (95% there) as good as the Sennheiser earbuds I've had for the last three years and none of the inconvenience of wires to boot.

I also don't see how anyone could lose these. You paid $160 for them; grow up and take a little bit of responsibility already.

Which Sennheiser earbud model?
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Ruh Roh.

Anyone who is familiar with my presence in other pre order threads will be probably know that I seem to have terrible luck with new malfunctioning/DOA devices.

Well the AirPods have continued this trend.

View attachment 679299

Done all I can. They're dead.

Fortunately in anticipation of this I ordered two. So using my backup pair for now!

View attachment 679300

Clever name.
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What a joke.

The major problem is much worse though. Controlling audio with the AirPods is a frustrating experience.

Since there are limited physical controls on the AirPods, you have to use Siri for everything. For example, if you want to raise the volume, you have to double tap the one of the AirPods. That pauses your music and activates Siri. Then you have to tell Siri to raise or lower the volume. Assuming Siri understands you, the music starts playing again at the adjusted volume. But if the volume isn't what you wanted, you have to go through the process again.

Oh, and Siri needs an internet connection to work. So, yeah, you literally need an internet connection just to adjust the volume or switch tracks using the AirPods. Welcome to 2016.

That's probably the main questionable AirPod design decision. They should have just built in touch controls that function the same as the remote on the EarPods. Swipe up/down to change volume.

In a wireless world why be tethered to your phone for adjusting volume? Bit ridiculous. Siri takes several times longer to do the same functions.

 

[CharlesShaw]

... Nothing is as convenient (or quick) as accessing in-line control on a BT headset, especially for volume. I don't have to pull out a phone from a coat or pants pocket on the run, etc.

Agreed about convenience, but where on the AirPods would you propose they attach the physical controls? Buttons on the stem would be hard to operate. You could put them on the battery case, but that's just as inconvenient as having to take out the phone.

Controls work great on a neckband, but I happen to dislike having a neckband on my BT headset. For me, losing the shifting neckband on my sweaty neck during a workout is worth the trouble of having to use my watch to skip a song I should probably just remove from my playlist.

How about we both get to have products that are different? You buy the BeatsX I was going to buy and I'll stick with AirPods that don't have controls.

 

[rlauck]

Unless I'm missing something that someone can kindly shed some light on, the volume control issues definitely need some work. I can connect my Airpods to my Bluetooth enabled tv/DVD but there appears to be no way to control the volume once connected. They connect at FULL volume regardless of how they were previously set. Apple's position is that once connected to an aux device it is up to that device to control volume. Problem is you need a device code for the Bluetooth to control the volume and Apple provides no such code. Any ideas?
This is, at least for me a major problem. I believe in apple's goal of simplicity, but especially as one with hearing issues, these being of no use with my TV is a big deal.

 

[MICHAELSD]

Agreed about convenience, but where on the AirPods would you propose they attach the physical controls? Buttons on the stem would be hard to operate. You could put them on the battery case, but that's just as inconvenient as having to take out the phone.

Controls work great on a neckband, but I happen to dislike having a neckband on my BT headset. For me, losing the shifting neckband on my sweaty neck during a workout is worth the trouble of having to use my watch to skip a song I should probably just remove from my playlist.

How about we both get to have products that are different? You buy the BeatsX I was going to buy and I'll stick with AirPods that don't have controls.

Tap the AirPod to pause/play, double-tap to skip, swipe up to raise the volume, swipe down to lower it. You'd think they'd be able to figure out this would be much more useful than always using Siri.

 

[Nanotyrns]

I'm starting to think my Mac mini isn't going to work out for these. They work well maybe 10% of the time and when I try to use Siri it sounds like she's calling from the moon and can't hear my questions over the literal static. I already have wifi issues with this mini. For some reason it won't get over 2 mbps on wifi so I have to keep it hardwired. Maybe that entire module is hosed. I've already tried the reset method mentioned here but that didn't help at all. As well, the AirPods work fine with my phone until I sit down at my computer and then the connection drops constantly. Don't know but open to suggestions.

 

[CharlesShaw]

Tap the AirPod to pause/play, double-tap to skip, swipe up to raise the volume, swipe down to lower it. You'd think they'd be able to figure out this would be much more useful than always using Siri.

I'm guessing Single-tap is missing because it's too easy to trigger by mistake.

A tiny touch pad on the stems for swipe gestures? I'm sure it was discussed.

And why are so many people reacting as if Siri were the only way to control them?

 

[Ralfi]

My bad. I thought I read somewhere that was the case. Never honestly looked into to it much. What is it then that prevents the pop up and easy pairing with say an iPad, or even the 6s?

The 6S has easy pairing.

 

[CharlesShaw]

I'm starting to think my Mac mini isn't going to work out for these. They work well maybe 10% of the time and when I try to use Siri it sounds like she's calling from the moon and can't hear my questions over the literal static. I already have wifi issues with this mini. For some reason it won't get over 2 mbps on wifi so I have to keep it hardwired. Maybe that entire module is hosed. I've already tried the reset method mentioned here but that didn't help at all. As well, the AirPods work fine with my phone until I sit down at my computer and then the connection drops constantly. Don't know but open to suggestions.

Yeah, your detailed post certainly suggests that the Mac is the source of your BT issues. If you don't want to replace the Mac, it sounds like you need to stick with wired headphones.

 

[LaurentfromFrance]

Hi all,

I have a question about the battery case of the AirPods. I used approximately my airpods during 4 hours (4 x 1 hour). When I put my AirPods in the case they have 80% battery remaining. I saw that my battery case use 15% of battery to charge the airpods from 80% to 100%.
Today my case is at 45% whereas I used only 4 hours my airpods! It seems very low!
Do you have the same case battery consumption?

Somebody could give the battery decerease of the case to charge the AirPods from 80% to 100%?

Thank you.

 

[objektør]

Try reseting the Bluetooth module: Hold down shift+option and click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar. Select Debug -> Reset Bluetooth Module.

There are other potential fixes, including adjusting the bitpool value for Bluetooth. Try Googling for other possible solution or ask around here.


E: I have Late 2010 MBA. Works without issues except that when I want to connect them to the Mac I have to do it through the Bluetooth menu. I think on Macs that have Bluetooth LE, AirPods should always appear in the Audio menu. I might be wrong on that though.

Haven't got mine yet but wondered whether I can check battery status of both pods and case on my rMB.
That is where I will use them most of the time. (The 3Gs phone we have can't run iOS 10 so I can't check there).

 

[teidon]

Haven't got mine yet but wondered whether I can check battery status of both pods and case on my rMB.
That is where I will use them most of the time. (The 3Gs phone we have can't run iOS 10 so I can't check there).

The Bluetooth menu shows the battery status of the three pieces. But it's a bit weird when each battery status is shown and when not. For example the case's battery status is shown only when at least one 'Pod is in the case (the case must be open). This is same both on iOS and on macOS.

 

[danmart]

What is it then that prevents the pop up and easy pairing with say an iPad, or even the 6s?

The 6S has easy pairing.

My guess would be that the process uses NFC, which was only introduced with the iPhone 6.

Easy device pairing via NFC has been around for a while in the Android world.

 

[ulinerg]

Random question: anyone else's charging case lid make any "snapping" sounds when you push it left or right (lateral to the bottom part) when it's closed?

A little
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I really think that Siri is the most convenient way to deal with gloves/coats/hats/etc. The AirPods work great under a wool cap... even tapping them for Siri works great.

Tapping the side of my head and saying what I want is even easier than trying to find a tiny little "inline" control or control on the side of regular BT headphones with gloves.

I also find that the times when I have gloves on typically correspond to times when using Siri is not a big deal...

+1

 

[teidon]

What is it then that prevents the pop up and easy pairing with say an iPad, or even the 6s?

Easy setup works just fine on 6s. You just need to keep the AirPods case close enough to the phone. The user manual leaflet said under 5cm (2inches for those weird imperials ).


Also those having issues with the double tap, keep in mind there is more one one "direction" how you can tap it. You can tap it inside your ear, or you can tap it from top to down or front to back. I prefer the front to back as it seems to work the best and doesn't cause any pain even if done repeatedly.

 

[ipos]

does airpod work on ios 9.3.3?

 

[teidon]

does airpod work on ios 9.3.3?

As long as the device has Bluetooth the AirPods will work. The fancy setup and fast switching requires iOS 10 (and macOS Sierra).

 

[Puonti]

That will only happen if the one you've taken out you cover the infrared port with your hand or fingers.

To clarify - "ports". There are two IR sensors on each AirPod, and covering just one doesn't trigger playback. Interestingly if only one IR sensor loses contact it doesn't stop playback. Both need to register "no contact" to do so.

 

[ipos]

As long as the device has Bluetooth the AirPods will work. The fancy setup and fast switching requires iOS 10 (and macOS Sierra).

in another words, i got to pair bluetooth manually whenever i use the airpod?

 

[teidon]

in another words, i got to pair bluetooth manually whenever i use the airpod?

Yea, I don't think the AirPods supports more than one paired device at the same time. So if you need to switch between devices, you always have to go through the pairing process. Which according to Apple requires you to place the AirPods in the case and when the lid is open pressing the button to put it in the pairing mode.

 

[ipos]

Yea, I don't think the AirPods supports more than one paired device at the same time. So if you need to switch between devices, you always have to go through the pairing process. Which according to Apple requires you to place the AirPods in the case and when the lid is open pressing the button to put it in the pairing mode.

i meant if iphone is on 9.3.3. does it mean i have to pair manually whenever i use them ?

 

[teidon]

i meant if iphone is on 9.3.3. does it mean i have to pair manually ?

No, if it's the only device you use the AirPods with. Just open the lid and they will connect.
E: If you meant the first time setup, you need to manually pair it. But after that it will work just fine.

 

[GalaDaliGirl]

The Airpods are good... but just not $160 good IMO.

I just received these for $35 last night: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M659IIY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Someone else had posted a link and I picked them up and I'm blown away. I'm 90% sure returning my Airpods at this point.

The Airpods are slightly "not as loud as I'd like" (but plenty loud don't get me wrong but I want Max volume to make my ears bleed). The fit is just OK... they aren't bad but my ears are bigger so the Airpods hang slightly looser than I prefer and the range isn't as good as I was hoping. I was hoping for Solo3 like range but it's more like standard Class 2 BT which is around 33-50 feet. The Luxa2 I picked up has about the same range.

I thought Apple was worth the 1000% markup.

LoL

People are so dumb for buying 160$ AP.

 

[ipos]

whether airpod is worth the hefty price is subjective. different strokes for different folks

 

[SoCalAppleWatch]

Tap the AirPod to pause/play, double-tap to skip, swipe up to raise the volume, swipe down to lower it. You'd think they'd be able to figure out this would be much more useful than always using Siri.

Wow! Look at you smarty pants! What an incredibly obvious idea that 250 headphone engineers surely never even thought of doing! Ya just add a swipe gesture ya numnuts engineers!

Do you have any understanding of the battery constraints/goals they had set forth? Do you even look at the AirPod and wonder "how in the #@$#ing hell did they literally remove the wires and not change a thing, yet give these things 5 hours battery EACH???". I'll tell you how. They used an accelerometer instead of an always on skin detecting sensor. Do you have ANY idea how small the batteries are inside each AirPod? Do you have ANY idea how insanely difficult it is to hit 5 hours battery life in that form factor with ZERO controls whatsoever? I agree there should be more options within the toggleable settings using the accelerometers (left earphone double tap volume down, right volume up, etc), but there had to be ONE sacrifice to get them to a worthy state.

Hopefully soon we see battery improvements in the entire industry because we are all limited by the forces of nature right now. It doesn't matter what year you put in bold. These people are ten times smarter than any of you complaining are, and you should try being a little thankful for the first big step towards TRUE functional wireless headphones before crapping all over what they created. I guess it's just the way humans are -- ego comes first, if there's something to critique we attack it and give no objective reasoning to the hard decisions OTHER human beings have made to create it in the first place. So sick of these forums, I wish they'd round up all the technology prophets in here and throw them into a design studio for 6 months to see how they handle things. Cheers