EarPods With USB-C Said to Be in Mass Production Ahead of iPhone 15 Launch

[szw-mapple fan]

Again, except for the wire, bluetooth is inferior in every way. You just posted one big paragraph about the wire.

The 2 real upsides for bluetooth:

• No wire
• MUCH more profitable for Apple (a seller benefit that does nothing for us consumers)

Doing away with all the issues of having wires is the whole point of it being wireless, especially when most of the frustrations are because of that one quality. This is like saying that except for the part about not having jet engines, propeller planes are better in every way. I'm not going to deny that AirPods generate much more revenue for Apple, but simply discounting BT earbuds' advantages as only being without wires feels rather disingenuous. Because it's wireless, it doesn't fall out because it snags, it lasts longer because there are less hardware failure points, and I don't have to be tethered to the device I'm listening from, especially when it's a stationary computer.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Not true. There are a number of high-end IEMs out there that nearly rival over-the-ear headphones. My favorite are these:

It is true. Those aren't EarPods. These are EarPods. Thanks for playing.

EarPods (Lightning Connector)

EarPods with Lightning Connector let you answer calls and adjust volume and playback of music and video. Buy now with fast, free shipping.

www.apple.com

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Nor are you using bluetooth. Cuz that **** ain’t lossless; at least a wire can handle that

Don't think Realityck was asking "why wired still" because they (or 99% of users) care about lossless. Apple isn't including cheap wired headphones in the box for the 4 people that care about high res audio.

 

[Manzanito]

It's so sad that EU government tyranny led to this. Apple has no freedom to innovate anymore.

Consumers get phones with better ports. I won’t complain. There’s zero innovation in keeping lightning, only apple’s ability to milk an outdated tech:

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Doing away with all the issues of having wires is the whole point of it being wireless, especially when most of the frustrations are because of that one quality. This is like saying that except for the part about not having jet engines, propeller planes are better in every way. I'm not going to deny that AirPods generate much more revenue for Apple, but simply discounting BT earbuds' advantages as only being without wires feels rather disingenuous.

Feel whatever you wish. Planes with jet engines offer MANY very tangible benefits for passengers vs. planes without them.

In exchange for no wires, many very tangible benefits are sacrificed. I completely agree that "no wires" offers a very tangible, big benefit for people. It's too bad that we are now what- about 5+ years into embracing "the future" and the many weaknesses & sacrifices are still the same ones from when this decision was first made. When do we arrive at "the future" where the technology mitigates all of the tangible advantages of wired buds/headphones? Is that this year? Next? 2030?

I'm glad that you can so appreciate wireless buds. I can too. However, I wish they would "catch up" with the many superior benefits of "the antiquated" instead of still pretty much revolving around the ONE benefit of "no wire."

 

[CarAnalogy]

Wired still offers the opportunity for superior audio quality, no latency, not dead when you want to use them, even less risk of loss by one falling out, much longer use life, "just works", much lower consumer cost, broad compatibility with everything, etc.

Except for getting rid of the wire, Bluetooth is basically inferior in every way.

I kind of wish they’d make an “EarPods Pro” with noise cancellation and better fit.

 

[Aves]

I wonder if Apple will be including USB-C Earpods along with USB-C cord in the box with iPhone 15 since many (most?) iPhone 15 users won't have them.

Apple won't be able to use the iPhone 15 buyers have plenty of them from prior iPhone purchases sitting around so no need to include them and save the planet excuse this time.

the most we'll ever see is a lightning to usb-c adapter included in the box... and I doubt it'll be included at all.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I kind of wish they’d make an “EarPods Pro” with noise cancellation and better fit.

Sign me up. Put the best quality audio production of AirPods (or better) in a wired product that won't need the battery (and thus won't be ticking toward dying and needing to be trashed & replaced). Use the space eaten up by a short-life battery for even higher quality audio production. Money is ready!

But alas, kick that battery out and those could last 10+ years, cutting into the great profit of regularly recycling consumer purchases (the true geniu$ of AirPod$ IMO). So great idea but probably need to look elsewhere for some cut at the actual concept.

 

[gotluck]

These people don't understand that going into the sun exposes them to more radiation.

well people have been going into the sun for thousands of years, only wearing bluetooth headphones for a couple decades

I use bluetooth headphones myself, but remain a bit averse to them. I cringe at the cellular apple watch strapped to my wrist at times as well. 😁

 

[minik]

That's great news. I see more people with wired headphones these days.

 

[alexandr]

I remember wired headphones!

 

[KOTN91]

Because they don’t need charging and are much easier to locate after a heavy sesh

 

[mrochester]

Feel whatever you wish. Planes with jet engines offer MANY very tangible benefits for passengers vs. planes without them.

In exchange for no wires, many very tangible benefits are sacrificed. I completely agree that "no wires" offers a very tangible, big benefit for people. It's too bad that we are now what- about 5+ years into embracing "the future" and the many weaknesses & sacrifices are still the same ones from when this decision was first made. When do we arrive at "the future" where the technology mitigates all of the tangible advantages of wired buds/headphones? Is that this year? Next? 2030?

I'm glad that you can so appreciate wireless buds. I can too. However, I wish they would "catch up" with the many superior benefits of "the antiquated" instead of still pretty much revolving around the ONE benefit of "no wire."

The only benefit of wired I can think of is 'doesn't need to be charged', but that's sort of a redundant argument.

 

[mcilwraith]

love my lightning EarPods. sound great. no charging. no dying battery. last forever. £19!!!!!

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

The only benefit of wired I can think of is 'doesn't need to be charged', but that's sort of a redundant argument.

Might want to do a little research. I share a short list of some benefits other than that one in a single sentence in post #15.

Or just look at 3 nicely summarized in the post before this one:

• "sound great" because wired does not have the capped bandwidth of bluetooth.
• "last forever" which is absolutely certain to not be the case with Airpods. Good luck on getting maybe a few years. I've been using some very sparingly and know their days are numbered. Sealed battery on which they entirely depend doom them.
• "£19" (in other words, less expensive) Pay up at AirPods pricing and wired versions are just that much better.

Consider those just starters.

 

[mrochester]

Might want to do a little research. I share a short list of some benefits other than that one in a single sentence in post #15.

I suppose if you perceive a sound quality or latency issue with wireless which wired solves then that would be a benefit for you. I'm lucky, I don't see that!

 

[SW3029]

It's so sad that EU government tyranny led to this. Apple has no freedom to innovate anymore.

I was raised in a country where the government ruled with actual, true tyranny. It was hell. You never knew who you could trust and feared that a single word that slipped your lips would get you arrested or worse. I sincerely hope you never know true tyranny. If you think mandating a universal port to make the lives of consumers easier is tyranny you won't last a day in your country if democracy is lost.

 

[RedTheReader]

Stop cheering for authoritarianism, it’s not healthy.

Also in case you forgot Apple is an AMERICAN company. Here in America we do things differently: Imperial units of measurement, degrees in Fahrenheit, 12-hour time. We don’t have to think about global standards; we set our own. And even though the rest of the world seethes they can’t help but burn with envy. ❤️

I like imperial units, and Fahrenheit, and 12 hour time. None of this changes the fact that Apple wants to sell in a different country. They have to play by their rules, or simply not play. But they won’t do that because… money.

It’s almost like you want the rest of the world to contort itself, which I feel is unfair.

Yeah, your right, the Fad is not caring enough to listen to good sounding music and accepting the distortion and low fidelity of wireless headphones.

I know, I know, they sound just fine to you. Good, but just because you think a 20 year old VW is a great car, does not make it a Porsche. But that is the way you seem to think.

Just because it is good enough for you, does not mean it is good to everyone. Some people have higher standards.

Most people have never cared to listen to hi fidelity music OR drive a Porsche.

No, it’s not how he thinks. Again, he’s not calling a VW a Porsche, he’s saying it’s not a fad to not care for that; it’s always been the case. It is not lazy to not care enough for something nice to go for it, though this concept really gets under some people’s skin.

Be honest: you were not arguing for people who want nice things to have them; you’ve always had that choice. You were arguing that the everyman used to care and now suddenly doesn’t. That’s wrong.

 

[vegetassj4]

Why don't they just use a dongle, so one can use existing equipment, and save waste:

 

[Kebabselector]

What happens when the next standard connector is needed? Are we supposed to rely on the EU to legislate technology changes now? There WILL be a day when USB-C is not powerful enough and we will be stuck with outdated legislation requiring an old technology to be used.

Should suit Apple as USB 2 Speed/Lightning has been in use on phones for long time now.

 

[zorinlynx]

Didn't they already have these for iPads? Or am I confusing it with something else?

 

[Kebabselector]

Didn't they already have these for iPads? Or am I confusing it with something else?

Just the iPad Pro - but it's a start.

 

[zorinlynx]

Yup. Can't wait for all the busted ports. USB-C is nowhere near as robust or sturdy a physical port. This standard might be great for small electronics that don't see a lot of "in-n-out" action on the port but I don't think this was well thought out when it comes to phones. Had to have mine replaced on my 2017 MBP but never once had a problem with a lightning port.

With USB-C it's usually the plug that wears out, not the port. The springy part that "clicks" is in the plug.

So while it might not be as durable overall, you might just have to replace charging cables more often. Not a big cost when the big benefit is compatibility with pretty much every other product out there for charging.

 

[FaustsHausUK]

Stop cheering for authoritarianism, it’s not healthy.

Also in case you forgot Apple is an AMERICAN company. Here in America we do things differently: Imperial units of measurement, degrees in Fahrenheit, 12-hour time. We don’t have to think about global standards; we set our own. And even though the rest of the world seethes they can’t help but burn with envy. ❤️

As an Englishman who lives in the US but works for a company in Europe, I can guarantee you it's more "look on in confusion" than "burn with envy." 😅

 

[spazzcat]

Yeah, your right, the Fad is not caring enough to listen to good sounding music and accepting the distortion and low fidelity of wireless headphones.

I know, I know, they sound just fine to you. Good, but just because you think a 20 year old VW is a great car, does not make it a Porsche. But that is the way you seem to think.

Just because it is good enough for you, does not mean it is good to everyone. Some people have higher standards.

It is good enough for 99% of people. The other 1% have options.