How should Apple implement volume tap commands for Airpods (v1.0)?

[Ralfi]

Just having a think about this inevitable feature that we should see in future IOS updates (prior to Airpods 2.0) & how best it should be implemented.

I used to think triple-tapping was the obvious choice, but after using the Airpods for a while, having so many taps opens the chance of you missing a tap & it registering as a double-tap, which could annoyingly mean you've just skipped your track for eg.

So I'm now thinking that - if possible - a tap-hold command could get the job done:

Single Tap-Hold: Engages a slow rise in volume until you release the hold.
Double Tap-Hold: Engages a slow fall in volume until you release the hold.

You could even just use a Single Tap-Hold or Double Tap-Hold to perform both increase/decrease functions, with a Single/Double Tap-Hold command assigned to each Airpod - the left would increase volume & the right would decrease volume.

This is based on the assumption that current Airpods can detect a 'Hold' after a tap. If not, then I'm a sad man who thought he had a bright idea a few minutes ago...

What are people's thoughts on how Volume tap commands should be incorporated into the Airpods?

 

[kampongkid]

Wouldn’t mind shelling out for a future iteration that had swipe gestures.

 

[warrior30]

Just having a think about this inevitable feature that we should see in future IOS updates (prior to Airpods 2.0) & how best it should be implemented.

I used to think triple-tapping was the obvious choice, but after using the Airpods for a while, having so many taps opens the chance of you missing a tap & it registering as a double-tap, which could annoyingly mean you've just skipped your track for eg.

So I'm now thinking that - if possible - a tap-hold command could get the job done:

Single Tap-Hold: Engages a slow rise in volume until you release the hold.
Double Tap-Hold: Engages a slow fall in volume until you release the hold.

You could even just use a Single Tap-Hold or Double Tap-Hold to perform both increase/decrease functions, with a Single/Double Tap-Hold command assigned to each Airpod - the left would increase volume & the right would decrease volume.

This is based on the assumption that current Airpods can detect a 'Hold' after a tap. If not, then I'm a sad man who thought he had a bright idea a few minutes ago...

What are people's thoughts on how Volume tap commands should be incorporated into the Airpods?

Nice idea, but pretty sure that the AirPods won't detect a 'hold'. I'm guessing the tap is required to detect a sharp movement / vibration to signal to the phone. For it to detect a hold would require the AirPods to detect touch which it doesn't for this current version.

As a compromise I would be happy for volume to be an option for the taps. My most frequently used options are volume control and to skip a track, which would be the 2 options I would configure for left / right AirPods.

 

[Mackneezie]

I was reading today about a jailbreak hack that lets you triple tap and quadruple tap the AirPods to do things. One of the options was to raise or lower the volume. If the jailbreak community can do it, Apple surely can and will.

Here's where I was reading this https://wccftech.com/want-to-add-more-actions-and-gestures-to-your-apple-airpods-heres-how-to-do-it/

 

[Ralfi]

Nice idea, but pretty sure that the AirPods won't detect a 'hold'. I'm guessing the tap is required to detect a sharp movement / vibration to signal to the phone. For it to detect a hold would require the AirPods to detect touch which it doesn't for this current version.

As a compromise I would be happy for volume to be an option for the taps. My most frequently used options are volume control and to skip a track, which would be the 2 options I would configure for left / right AirPods.

Unfortunately, I think you're right. So it appears v2.0 may be able to improve on the original in many ways, if they had touch detection; tap-hold & even tap-slide may come into play for additional functions. Can't wait to see how these things evolve.

I was reading today about a jailbreak hack that lets you triple tap and quadruple tap the AirPods to do things. One of the options was to raise or lower the volume. If the jailbreak community can do it, Apple surely can and will.

Here's where I was reading this https://wccftech.com/want-to-add-more-actions-and-gestures-to-your-apple-airpods-heres-how-to-do-it/

Yeah, I stated the issue I have with too many taps in my OP. Good in theory, but it'll infuriate many who accidentally miss/add a tap & end up skipping tracks etc. instead of adjust volume..

 

[bhayes444]

Yeah, as warrior30 said the AirPods won’t detect a hold. Main reason is they use an accelerometer to detect taps, and accelerometers have no way to identify what would be considered a ‘hold’ vs just being a pause between taps. At least not without other tech involved.

It does seem inevitable that Apple releases an updated pair that incorporates a volume control gesture. The timing really depends on how imperative they think that functionality is.

 

[zipur]

What if they added an actual small button. That would give you four options tap & button. Normal tap to skip or press the button to increase.