Anything new with airpods?

[heycal]

Any increased functionality with airpods lately with various updates, or expected soon? I'd be happy to buy a pair once they can do the same things my regular airpods have been able to do for years. Once it can do all of the following with touching the phone itself I'm in:

1) Activate siri to place calls and such.

2) Increase and decrease volume.

3) Skip, pause, and repeat songs.

While Apple made a fancy product that couldn't do the same basic things my wired earpods can do, or that other wireless earbuds can do, is beyond me, but that's apparently what they did. I'm hoping they fixed this situation or will soon. Any luck? Alternatively, and in the meantime, I'm open to suggestions for other brands and models that can do all the above.

 

[helitech]

Any increased functionality with airpods lately with various updates, or expected soon? I'd be happy to buy a pair once they can do the same things my regular airpods have been able to do for years. Once it can do all of the following with touching the phone itself I'm in:

1) Activate siri to place calls and such.

2) Increase and decrease volume.

3) Skip, pause, and repeat songs.

While Apple made a fancy product that couldn't do the same basic things my wired earpods can do, or that other wireless earbuds can do, is beyond me, but that's apparently what they did. I'm hoping they fixed this situation or will soon. Any luck? Alternatively, and in the meantime, I'm open to suggestions for other brands and models that can do all the above.

-You can activate Siri by saying “hey Siri” already.
-you can set up the taps to skip to the next track on one side and go back your playlist on the other

Adjusting volume is really an issue for you? Cause the convenience of AirPods outweighs volume control for me.

 

[heycal]

Adjusting volume is really an issue for you?

Absolutely. I do it often while listening to music, podcasts, and during phone calls. I also want to activate siri in the most discreet way possible, to keep to a minimum I have to be yelling at my airpod in the middle of the gym or such. There is a reason the Apple earpods and other bluetooth wireless buds can already do all this: they are very useful functions, and those are well-designed.

 

[nrvna76]

-You can activate Siri by saying “hey Siri” already.
-you can set up the taps to skip to the next track on one side and go back your playlist on the other

Adjusting volume is really an issue for you? Cause the convenience of AirPods outweighs volume control for me.

The “hey Siri” activation works through the microphone on your iPhone, however it does not work for the mic on AirPods. You have to double tap to start Siri listening.

Rumor has that the next iteration may have an always listening feature.

The volume can be adjusted using Siri, however if you happen to have an Apple Watch the now playing app allows for the Digital Crown to adjust volume.

 

[heycal]

-You can activate Siri by saying “hey Siri” already.

The “hey Siri” activation works through the microphone on your iPhone, however it does not work for the mic on AirPods. You have to double tap to start Siri listening.

Rumor has that the next iteration may have an always listening feature.

The volume can be adjusted using Siri, however if you happen to have an Apple Watch the now playing app allows for the Digital Crown to adjust volume.

Double tap to start Siri listening is fine, as it is with the wired earbuds. Asking Siri to adjust volume is not fine at alll

I don't have an Apple watch and don't want one. My goal or hope is airpods that have the same functionality of the earbuds. Is this just a pipe dream anytime soon?

 

[NT1440]

Absolutely. I do it often while listening to music, podcasts, and during phone calls. I also want to activate siri in the most discreet way possible, to keep to a minimum I have to be yelling at my airpod in the middle of the gym or such. There is a reason the Apple earpods and other bluetooth wireless buds can already do all this: they are very useful functions, and those are well-designed.

You’re in luck, Apple is going to introduce capacitive volume controls at some point in a hardware revision. Note this is imbedded behind the plastic likely to reduce sweat/rain from activating it.

 

[nrvna76]

Double tap to start Siri listening is fine, as it is with the wired earbuds. Asking Siri to adjust volume is not fine at alll

I don't have an Apple watch and don't want one. My goal or hope is airpods that have the same functionality of the earbuds. Is this just a pipe dream anytime soon?

It’s a pipe dream with the current version. Version 2.0 is anybody’s guess.

 

[heycal]

It’s a pipe dream with the current version. Version 2.0 is anybody’s guess.

And I guess we don't know when that is coming out, or even if it will address all these flaws, do we?

What do you think Apple was thinking by making a product that has like half the functionality of the one it's supposed to replace? Isn't the goal with innnovation and improvement "Same great functions, but now in wireless!"? Much more appealing than "One big step forward, four annoying steps back, and only 160 dollars more than the ones we give you for free!"

 

[nrvna76]

And I guess we don't know when that is coming out, or even if it will address all these flaws, do we?

What do you think Apple was thinking by making a product that has like half the functionality of the one it's supposed to replace? Isn't the goal with innnovation and improvement "Same great functions, but now in wireless!"? Much more appealing than "One big step forward, four annoying steps back, and only 160 dollars more than the ones we give you for free!"

I guess I’m not sure what the big complaint is here... the only one of your issues that is true is volume control. What are the other ‘flaws’ you are talking about?

I do understand that one thing may be a deal breaker for you however I personally love my AirPods and think they are one of Apples greatest recent products. Many others agree, so much so as to state that AirPods are the thing keeping them in Apples ecosystem.

Only you can decide if you want to purchase them, a previous poster seems sure that they will add the functionality to the second gen (September is a decent guess). However, I would not be surprised if they cost more than $160.

 

[Ralfi]

Was the first iPhone perfect?

What about the first iPad?

Or the first anything in the tech world?

They can't knock it out of the park on first try...but they did a bloody good job. Most people love them & for good reason. They've adapted to not having the same functionality as the wired Earpods.

After nearly two years with them, my biggest issue is Siri. She can't comprehend enough commands right for my liking...mainly referring to the more advanced commands that Google Assistant handles with ease.

Absolutely. I do it often while listening to music, podcasts, and during phone calls. I also want to activate siri in the most discreet way possible, to keep to a minimum I have to be yelling at my airpod in the middle of the gym or such. There is a reason the Apple earpods and other bluetooth wireless buds can already do all this: they are very useful functions, and those are well-designed.

For most situations, setting Siri as a double-tap for one Airpod + knowing your usual environments allows one to instruct Siri to "set volume to 60%, 73%, 85%" or whatever volume you know is apt for that environment.

For eg. I know the volume of my gym's speakers can be drowned out if I set my Airpods volume to 88%.

Talking to Siri in public's no huge deal...the convenience outweighs any awkwardness you might feel.

Convenience is the Airpods greatest selling point, & the fact they do most things very well.

You’re in luck, Apple is going to introduce capacitive volume controls at some point in a hardware revision. Note this is imbedded behind the plastic likely to reduce sweat/rain from activating it.

Never knew about this. If true, it'll open up new levels of user-interface possibilities.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

And I guess we don't know when that is coming out, or even if it will address all these flaws, do we?

What do you think Apple was thinking by making a product that has like half the functionality of the one it's supposed to replace? Isn't the goal with innnovation and improvement "Same great functions, but now in wireless!"? Much more appealing than "One big step forward, four annoying steps back, and only 160 dollars more than the ones we give you for free!"

Speak for yourself, AirPods aren’t perfect but I have no problem adjusting the volume either with voice control or using the phone. Having wired earplugs is a hassle I was more than happy to give up. The cord getting in the way or getting caught on something and yanking them out of my ears was a bigger issue

 

[nrvna76]

Speak for yourself, AirPods aren’t perfect but I have no problem adjusting the volume either with voice control or using the phone. Having wired earplugs is a hassle I was more than happy to give up. The cord getting in the way or getting caught on something and yanking them out of my ears was a bigger issue

I had read that if you don’t like EarPods you won’t like AirPods. Which is totally not true. I always had an issue with EarPods falling out of my ears because of the cord. AirPods fit perfectly and I can’t get them to fall out even if I try to get them to.

 

[heycal]

I had read that if you don’t like EarPods you won’t like AirPods. Which is totally not true. I always had an issue with EarPods falling out of my ears because of the cord. AirPods fit perfectly and I can’t get them to fall out even if I try to get them to.

I've never tried the airpods, but one of the reasons I'm attracted to them is because I love Apple earbuds and hope/assume they will be similar. They feel good, don't fall out, and don't block out too much noise so you don't get run over by a car while out and about. So the presumed feel is one of the big allures of airpods for me . One can find wireless earbuds with much more functionality than airpods for 20 bucks, but most don't feel great or last long in my experience.

I guess I’m not sure what the big complaint is here... the only one of your issues that is true is volume control. What are the other ‘flaws’ you are talking about?

All of my 'issues' are true. Other posters acknowledge they are. The airpods simply can't do much of what the plain old earbuds can do.

Was the first iPhone perfect?

What about the first iPad?

Or the first anything in the tech world?

They can't knock it out of the park on first try...but they did a bloody good job. Most people love them & for good reason. They've adapted to not having the same functionality as the wired Earpods.

After nearly two years with them, my biggest issue is Siri. She can't comprehend enough commands right for my liking...mainly referring to the more advanced commands that Google Assistant handles with ease.



For most situations, setting Siri as a double-tap for one Airpod + knowing your usual environments allows one to instruct Siri to "set volume to 60%, 73%, 85%" or whatever volume you know is apt for that environment.

For eg. I know the volume of my gym's speakers can be drowned out if I set my Airpods volume to 88%.

Talking to Siri in public's no huge deal...the convenience outweighs any awkwardness you might feel.

Convenience is the Airpods greatest selling point, & the fact they do most things very well.



Never knew about this. If true, it'll open up new levels of user-interface possibilities.

Speak for yourself, AirPods aren’t perfect but I have no problem adjusting the volume either with voice control or using the phone. Having wired earplugs is a hassle I was more than happy to give up. The cord getting in the way or getting caught on something and yanking them out of my ears was a bigger issue

It often feels like I'm dealing with cult members when discussing Apple products and their weaknesses. People either deny a flaw exists, or try and minimize it when they do acknowledge it. It's like if BMW introduced a new car that went really fast and had some super cool innovative features, and I point out to some BMW acolyte that the new car got rid of the headlights, and people respond with things like "Is being able to drive at night really such a big deal to you?" and "The convenience of the doors opening automatically far outweighs needing to plan my driving for daytime only. It's not a big deal, and the product's popularity proves it." (As if popularity of anything in life, from products to movies and music, is proof of quality.)

I could understand people's defense of airpods if they were the only wireless buds on the market, or no one had mastered this technology yet and Apple is doing the best it can, but there are 20 dollar wireless sets that can do it it all. Apple can't/won't?

 

[dotnet]

One can find wireless earbuds with much more functionality than airpods for 20 bucks, but most don't feel great or last long in my experience.

Well, there you go. You can choose between much more functionality or great feel. If you're looking for great feeling wireless earbuds that also make coffee, wash your car and cost only 20 bucks then I'm afraid you're out of luck.

All of my 'issues' are true. Other posters acknowledge they are. The airpods simply can't do much of what the plain old earbuds can do.

Really? Apart from on-device volume control, name five other things.

It often feels like I'm dealing with cult members when discussing Apple products and their weaknesses.

And thus we arrive at the purpose of this thread of yours.

 

[heycal]

Well, there you go. You can choose between much more functionality or great feel. If you're looking for great feeling wireless earbuds that also make coffee, wash your car and cost only 20 bucks then I'm afraid you're out of luck.

I've found great feel and better funtionality than airpods for 20 bucks. But those couldn't do as much as either apple earbuds, or competing models that could do as much but didn't feel as good. I guess I could settle for those if airpods don't make improvements.

Really? Apart from on-device volume control, name five other things

Five other things? The important things I already mentioned it can't do -- things Apple's previous earbuds could so -- isn't enough for you? I need to come up with even more weaknesses to add to the list?

And thus we arrive at the purpose of this thread of yours.

You got me. I love when people chime in on a thread asking if any improvements have been made or will be soon, or detailing some other Apple problem, and defend the indefensible.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I've found great feel and better funtionality than airpods for 20 bucks. But those couldn't do as much as either apple earbuds, or competing models that could do as much but didn't feel as good. I guess I could settle for those if airpods don't make improvements.



Five other things? The important things I already mentioned it can't do -- things Apple's previous earbuds could so -- isn't enough for you? I need to come up with even more weaknesses to add to the list?



You got me. I love when people chime in on a thread asking if any improvements have been made or will be soon, or detailing some other Apple problem, and defend the indefensible.

I get it now, your one of those people that think their opinion is fact.. If you don’t want what Apple has to offer with AirPods don’t buy them, simple. Don’t assume your issues with them is what the majority of AirPod owners feel as they were out of stock if you wanted to purchase them until the last couple of months and most reviews of them are positive. As I stated, they aren’t perfect but far from flawed.

 

[heycal]

I get it now, your one of those people that think their opinion is fact.. .

It's not an opinion that the airpod lacks the functionality of the wired earbuds or other wireless sets, it's a fact. I sure wish it weren't...

 

[BugeyeSTI]

It's not an opinion that the airpod lacks the functionality of the wired earbuds or other wireless sets, it's a fact. I sure wish it weren't...

That’s fine, they don’t have manual volume control that’s a fact. Manual volume control may not even be available on AirPod2 so if that’s the deal breaker then you’ll need to find an alternative

 

[heycal]

That’s fine, they don’t have manual volume control that’s a fact. Manual volume control may not even be available on AirPod2 so if that’s the deal breaker then you’ll need to find an alternative

They don't have manual volume control, you can't tap them and say "Call Bob" or "What is the temperature?" if I'm understanding right (you'll need to do some more yapping in public to make that happen), and you can't tap them to skip, pause, or repeat songs. Or least, you can't do all of them at anytime without changing some settings. These are three very important things that I and many other users do on a regular basis with our more functional wired earbuds or alternative wireless sets, and objective reviewers in the media have noted these weaknesses as well. It ain't just me.

And yeah, from this thread I'm learning that Apple does not seem likely fix these problems and make their fancy airbuds work as well as their good old free earbuds do any time soon. Very unfortunate...

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Well, either you hold a button on EarPods to activate Siri or you tap on an AirPod to do the same. As far as yapping, you’re telling me you don’t have to talk out loud to ask Siri to do something with your EarPods? As far as skipping or repeating songs, you can set up both AirPods to control different things. As far as pausing. If you take an AirPod out of your ear, it pauses automatically then resumes when you put it back in. These are definitely a different way to control functions compared to EarPods but, wireless earpods are all going to be limited in this way. Sounds like wireless won’t work for you in any form

 

[Ralfi]

It often feels like I'm dealing with cult members when discussing Apple products and their weaknesses.

There goes your credibility & any desire to spend any more time helping you out.

I actually tried to suggest some tips for you to make this product work & all you can do is lump me in the same basket as fan bois.

Thanks for the insult.

Maybe I'll hold back before attempting to help people on here in future. Well, YOU anyway.

And thus we arrive at the purpose of this thread of yours.

He really is an ungrateful & unpleasant person to communicate with.

Shame this place has a few like him.

I'm actually here to help others on topics I'm knowledgeable in & to spend time writing up helpful tips, only to be insulted really is the ultimate slap in the face...

 

[heycal]

There goes your credibility & any desire to spend any more time helping you out.

I actually tried to suggest some tips for you to make this product work & all you can do is lump me in the same basket as fan bois.

Thanks for the insult.

Maybe I'll hold back before attempting to help people on here in future. Well, YOU anyway.

Thanks for your attempt to help. You didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, but your heart was in the right place.

Well, either you hold a button on EarPods to activate Siri or you tap on an AirPod to do the same. As far as yapping, you’re telling me you don’t have to talk out loud to ask Siri to do something with your EarPods? As far as skipping or repeating songs, you can set up both AirPods to control different things. As far as pausing. If you take an AirPod out of your ear, it pauses automatically then resumes when you put it back in. These are definitely a different way to control functions compared to EarPods but, wireless earpods are all going to be limited in this way. Sounds like wireless won’t work for you in any form

Several wireless earbuds on the market already offer everything wired can do, so they definitely will work for me. I just haven't found one yet that offers everything, and that feels good in the ear too. But then, I've only been looking at the cheapest models (under 50 bucks) and only tried a few so far. I guess I need to look harder or spend more money, which I'm quite willing to do for airpods if they ever get it together.

As for the functionality of airpods itself, I could live with saying "Hey Siri. Call Bob" in place of just "Call Bob". I could also maybe live with taking a pod out to pause something, though it strikes me as highly annoying to remove something from my ear to have a 5 second exchange with someone instead of tapping a button, and then having to put it back in.

Are you saying saying I could set up one pod to skip and repeat songs, and the other to make and receive calls and such? If so, that's a step in the right direction. The ability to change volume at a tap is very important though. It's something I do often and quickly. I really don't want to be in a gym or a crowded train and say "Hey Siri. Increase volume to 80%.... Did you hear me? Hello? Siri, you there? Increase volume to 80%.... Ok, thanks.... But you know what? 80% is a bit louder than I actually want now that I hear it. Can drop it to 60%? Siri, hello? Are you there, honey?..."

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Thanks for your attempt to help. You didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, but your heart was in the right place.




Several wireless earbuds on the market already offer everything wired can do, so they definitely will work for me. I just haven't found one yet that offers everything, and that feels good in the ear too. But then, I've only been looking at the cheapest models (under 50 bucks) and only tried a few so far. I guess I need to look harder or spend more money, which I'm quite willing to do for airpods if they ever get it together.

As for the functionality of airpods itself, I could live with saying "Hey Siri. Call Bob" in place of just "Call Bob". I could also maybe live with taking a pod out to pause something, though it strikes me as highly annoying to remove something from my ear to have a 5 second exchange with someone instead of tapping a button, and then having to put it back in.

Are you saying saying I could set up one pod to skip and repeat songs, and the other to make and receive calls and such? If so, that's a step in the right direction. The ability to change volume at a tap is very important though. It's something I do often and quickly. I really don't want to be in a gym or a crowded train and say "Hey Siri. Increase volume to 80%.... Did you hear me? Hello? Siri, you there? Increase volume to 80%.... Ok, thanks.... But you know what? 80% is a bit louder than I actually want now that I hear it. Can drop it to 60%? Siri, hello? Are you there, honey?..."

I get what your saying, it’s possible the next version may offer that function. The Apple Watch (I know you said you weren’t interested in one, I don’t need one either) really makes using the AirPods much easier plus you can control the volume with the knob so no messing with your phone or asking Siri to adjust the volume. What I was actually very impressed with when I first got my AirPods was how clear they were even at maximum volume. Plus, there range is amazing. I can leave my phone in a room and walk around my entire house without losing connection. I also was impressed with the cases ability to recharge the AirPods quickly when they need it(15 minutes of charging in the case equals 3 hours reserve). I also appreciate them automatically synching to all my Apple devices that are signed into iCloud.. They are expensive though

 

[heycal]

What I was actually very impressed with when I first got my AirPods was how clear they were even at maximum volume. Plus, there range is amazing. I can leave my phone in a room and walk around my entire house without losing connection. I also was impressed with the cases ability to recharge the AirPods quickly when they need it(15 minutes of charging in the case equals 3 hours reserve). I also appreciate them automatically synching to all my Apple devices that are signed into iCloud.. They are expensive though

All these things sound great, and is part of what attracts me to them in the first place. They just really need to get better at the simple stuff before I get onboard, even if they were half the price.

 

[nrvna76]

This thread has gotten quite ridiculous. AirPods will do literally all but one of your ‘issues’ (volume). You may have to choose 2 out of three, however if you choose one as skip, the other as Siri, and then remove from ears as play/pause you get all of the things you are complaining about (again, except for volume control) When you get a call you can answer from either bud.

Try them out, or don’t.