Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Another Problem With Bluetooth Headphones

D

DMVillain

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 20, 2011
624
382
Apple's push towards Bluetooth headphones introduces an inconvenience I hadn't considered until flying today. When preparing for takeoff, I put my phone in airplane mode, like a law abiding citizen should, and BAM! No headphone audio. Because of the way iOS handles Airplane Mode, Bluetooth and wifi are cut off, along with the cellular radio. Obviously I just paired my headphones again, but it's unfortunate that Apple's definition of Airplane Mode is based on outdated rules.

I'd like to see Airplane Mode modernized to only cut off cellular, or better yet, be customizable to allow unique definitions of what "Airplane Mode" is (as laws vary by country). I submitted this feedback to Apple, I'll share if I hear anything.
 
jabingla2810 said:
Turn on airplane mode, then turn on Bluetooth.

Simple.
Click to expand...
I think he understood that but if you are listening to music at the time, it is interrupted for a moment until you turn Bluetooth back on. That is what is slightly annoying about the airplane mode process currently.
 
jabingla2810 said:
Turn on airplane mode, then turn on Bluetooth.

Simple.
Click to expand...
Did you read? Because I said that's what I did.

Apple eliminated the headphone jack because it is outdated. All I'm saying is that Airplane Mode is outdated as well and could use modernization.
[doublepost=1473639936][/doublepost]
seinman said:
Is the 15 seconds you have to go without music every now and then really that big a deal?
Click to expand...
If you have nothing more to contribute to the conversation than trivializing a simple feature request, please don't comment.
 
  • Like
Reactions: QuarterSwede, GreyOS, FSMBP and 1 other person
DMVillain said:
Apple's push towards Bluetooth headphones introduces an inconvenience I hadn't considered until flying today. When preparing for takeoff, I put my phone in airplane mode, like a law abiding citizen should, and BAM! No headphone audio. Because of the way iOS handles Airplane Mode, Bluetooth and wifi are cut off, along with the cellular radio. Obviously I just paired my headphones again, but it's unfortunate that Apple's definition of Airplane Mode is based on outdated rules.

I'd like to see Airplane Mode modernized to only cut off cellular, or better yet, be customizable to allow unique definitions of what "Airplane Mode" is (as laws vary by country). I submitted this feedback to Apple, I'll share if I hear anything.
Click to expand...
Is this problem unique to Apple, or do other phones do the same thing as well?

Besides, wasn't the airpods designed to work around precisely this sort of issues?
 
DMVillain said:
Did you read? Because I said that's what I did.

Apple eliminated the headphone jack because it is outdated. All I'm saying is that Airplane Mode is outdated as well and could use modernization.
[doublepost=1473639936][/doublepost]
If you have nothing more to contribute to the conversation than trivializing a simple feature request, please don't comment.
Click to expand...
if its a feature request, why don't you write an official feedback to apple? nobody here works for apple, so there's no point in making feature requests here. if it's a general discussion we're having, everyone is entitled to their opinion or views here. what gives you the right to tell someone not to comment? why don't you bother not reading?
 
  • Like
Reactions: hojx, steve62388, RadioGaGa1984 and 1 other person
Abazigal said:
Is this problem unique to Apple, or do other phones do the same thing as well?

Besides, wasn't the airpods designed to work around precisely this sort of issues?
Click to expand...

It is, on android there is typically a prominent control center button that disables cellular radios. And even so, Apple is the one pushing Bluetooth so aggressively.

AirPods have the same functionality as every other Bluetooth headphone, so this issue will still exist with them.
 
The rules aren't the same in every country...

...and yes, the Apple headphones (if you want to pay for those) shouldn't be affected by this issue since they technically do not use Bluetooth, correct?
 
MozMan68 said:
The rules aren't the same in every country...

...and yes, the Apple headphones (if you want to pay for those) shouldn't be affected by this issue since they technically do not use Bluetooth, correct?
Click to expand...
The airpods still use Bluetooth for transmitting music. The W1 chip is only for pairing and switching purposes, but I don't think it has anything to do with the actual music playback.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ohio.emt and QuarterSwede
I'm sorry, but breaking airplane mode is not a solution.

It's not just for airplanes, you know. There are many times when I need to kill all radio signals for work purposes. Making it so I have to turn on airplane mode AND hunt and peck around the settings to see what it skipped would completely ruin the purpose of a "kill-all" switch in the first place.

The way it is now, you have to hit airplane mode and then move your finger 1/4" to the right to re-enable Bluetooth. In order to fix that problem you'd make it so I could never fully trust airplane mode ever again. After all, if they allow Bluetooth now, who knows what random signal an OS update in the future might allow through? Once it's not a kill-all, everything is up for grabs.

Far better to leave it as a working feature that adds 1/6 of a second to your fingers every time you take a plane than to save you that step but completely destroy the point of the button.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hojx, ohio.emt, C DM and 2 others
surely 'the point of the button' is to put it in a... mode... suitable for... airplanes. and that doesn't require bluetooth to be turned off.

since when was a mode for airplanes about trusting that all wireless communication was off? that's your own issue.

if airplane mode is ever updated to leave bluetooth unchanged and you're unhappy about that, may i suggest you simply move your finger 1/4" to the right to disable it?

bluetooth and wifi aren't hidden settings you have to dig for, they're there in control centre. you talk about trust but acknowledge it's possible to have those on even with airplane mode on. how do you check, so you can ensure your trust isn't misplaced? in control centre. it works both ways. it's simple.

iirc, a few updates ago they enabled gps in airplane mode, and you can't check that easily in control centre. what a shocker
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: QuarterSwede, TitsLegendary and DMVillain
Small White Car said:
I'm sorry, but breaking airplane mode is not a solution.

It's not just for airplanes, you know. There are many times when I need to kill all radio signals for work purposes. Making it so I have to turn on airplane mode AND hunt and peck around the settings to see what it skipped would completely ruin the purpose of a "kill-all" switch in the first place.

The way it is now, you have to hit airplane mode and then move your finger 1/4" to the right to re-enable Bluetooth. In order to fix that problem you'd make it so I could never fully trust airplane mode ever again. After all, if they allow Bluetooth now, who knows what random signal an OS update in the future might allow through? Once it's not a kill-all, everything is up for grabs.

Far better to leave it as a working feature that adds 1/6 of a second to your fingers every time you take a plane than to save you that step but completely destroy the point of the button.
Click to expand...
Do you use Bluetooth headphones? Because that is not how you pair them after bluetooth is cut off - you're grossly over simplifiying it. The headphones must be cut off, and cut back on and/or going into Bluetooth settings and pressing the device.
[doublepost=1473711022][/doublepost]
MozMan68 said:
Yeah...that's awesome...now I snapchat from the plane and can show I'm going 600mph.
Click to expand...
I love doing this.
 
DMVillain said:
Do you use Bluetooth headphones? Because that is not how you pair them after bluetooth is cut off - you're grossly over simplifiying it. The headphones must be cut off, and cut back on and/or going into Bluetooth settings and pressing the device.
Click to expand...

So...don't hit the airplane button.

Manually turn off cellular since according to all of you on here, that is all you really need to do.

Yes...you have to go into settings, but still one button. Maybe they can add a "cellular" kill button?
 
  • Like
Reactions: ohio.emt
I thought most people realised that GPS doesn't transmit - it's a receiver.

Just upgrade your BT headphones to wired. Problems solved. No charging, no pairing, no lag and better quality sound.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cigsm, Feenician and ohio.emt
turning off cellular data doesn't turn off cellular, which only airplane mode does. possibly taking out the sim is an alternative, but that's a hassle.
 
DMVillain said:
Do you use Bluetooth headphones?
Click to expand...

No, and you've done a great job explaining why.

Regardless, that sounds like they should make pairing better, not mess with how airplane mode works.

They spent a long time talking about how much better these new air pods they made are. I'm waiting to see how much of that enthusiasm translates to real world results.
 
Ummm... everyone seems to be missing the whole point of airplane mode. It is to turn off ALL transmitters of the phone. That includes cellular, wifi AND bluetooth.

If you enable bluetooth after turning on airplane mode, you are turning on a transmitter and defeating the purpose and intention behind the airline's requirement to turn them off. As far as I know, you are supposed to turn off all radio functions on the phone when on an airplane.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Paco II
seadragon said:
Ummm... everyone seems to be missing the whole point of airplane mode. It is to turn off ALL transmitters of the phone. That includes cellular, wifi AND bluetooth.

If you enable bluetooth after turning on airplane mode, you are turning on a transmitter and defeating the purpose and intention behind the airline's requirement to turn them off. As far as I know, you are supposed to turn off all radio functions on the phone when on an airplane.
Click to expand...
Same type of thinking can be applied to WiFi as well, yet many airlines offer WiFi service and expect devices to enable WiFi to use it.
 
seadragon said:
If you enable bluetooth after turning on airplane mode, you are turning on a transmitter and defeating the purpose and intention behind the airline's requirement to turn them off. As far as I know, you are supposed to turn off all radio functions on the phone when on an airplane.
Click to expand...

As well as the headphones BTW, which are also transmitters.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back