Ars Tech Article on Apple Aipods iFixIt Guide

[CyFr]

iFixit tears the AirPods apart, doesn’t like what it finds
Here's an article on the iFixIt Guide: http://arstechnica.com/apple/2016/12/youll-never-be-able-to-fix-apples-airpods-but-theres-neat-stuff-inside/

Quote

In the end, both the AirPods themselves and their charging case earned a zero out of 10 on iFixit's repairability scale, indicating that the headphones aren't in any way user-serviceable. Low scores from iFixit are normal for most Apple products, but zeroes are rare—it's usually at least possible to access and replace the batteries in iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks with a little effort.

Summary: like most things Apple it remains hard to service the product should you need to.

 

To me this is increasing the idea of disposable hardware even though it would possibly increase landfill use, or at least increase the amount of hazardous waste in landfills unless taken to tech recycling depots.

But at 159USD for disposable hardware is far from appreciated. Had they marked prices lower they might have actually marketed use well beyond the apple ecosystem.

 

Plus: Linus I like your 'Sick' / 'Normal' voice vs. the Chihuahua of tech.but keep the Chihuahua for Techquickie

Edited December 21, 2016 by CyFr
Edited for formatting, and Guidelines

[CyFr]

which begs the question, can you do a tech quickie on those on TV 'ear buds' for secret service or how hearing aids work?

[rattacko123]

3 hours ago, CyFr said:

'Sick'

Slick ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[Sidiox]

What is the score for other headphones? Surely most of them are not at all user service able? For a device that small I don't really see how they could make it user serviceable without making it quite a bit more bulky.

I don't like Apple but this sounds a lot like hating for the sake of it.

 

(Of course I don't agree with non serviceability on other devices like the SSD in the new macbooks)

[Sniperfox47]

47 minutes ago, Sidiox said:

What is the score for other headphones? Surely most of them are not at all user service able? For a device that small I don't really see how they could make it user serviceable without making it quite a bit more bulky.

I don't like Apple but this sounds a lot like hating for the sake of it

Actually some headphones are really good. For example my Plantronics wireless earphones can be popped open and have the battery replaced pretty darn easily. Battery is about the only user serviceable part on most of them, but considering the high chance of battery issues, it's a very useful repair.

[Sidiox]

2 hours ago, Sniperfox47 said:

Actually some headphones are really good. For example my Plantronics wireless earphones can be popped open and have the battery replaced pretty darn easily. Battery is about the only user serviceable part on most of them, but considering the high chance of battery issues, it's a very useful repair.

Fair enough it would be useful to replace them, yes. But I reckon in the vast majority of such devices you cannot replace anything (jaybirds I don't think are very repairable). It would be nice if they were, but especially from Apple, it can't always be expected.

[flipped_bit]

I really don't like this move to non-repairable hardware.  It's hardly a new phenomenon, but Apple is certainly becoming a poster boy with its recent design choices.

 

I think there are two reasons why they do it:

1.  If customers are allowed to tinker with their products, a non-negligible percentage will screw it up.  That costs Apple time and money to deal with, particularly if customers have long-term Apple Care packages.

2.  Apple makes a killing on upgrades at time of purchase.  $200 for 8GB of RAM?  What a value!  $200 for 128GB more of SSD?  How can I resist!

 

I own a user upgradable MacBook Pro, and I really like it.  It's a high quality piece of kit.  But it will probably be my last Apple PC, because I won't buy a product that I intend to use for 5+ years if I can't upgrade it down the line.

[CyFr]

It would have been neat to see a version of this where the batteries would be serviceable by removing the silver mic spot, maybe a twist cap. at least that way you can replace the batteries.

 

I've found other headphones slightly serviceable where you could at least re-solder the contacts, but most people don't have soldering equipment..As most of the problems I've had with headphones is exactly that problem, or the fact that the audio cable itself breaks. that's why I tend to stick with headsets that I can plug in a new 3.5mm jack.

 

I think someone might be in better business if they tether the buds together, with a rechargeable battery and all the hardware along the wire. But I'm not a big audiophile, and some of the mentions in the last video might be worthwhile for me to be looking into.

[RagnarokDel]

I dont think there's inherently an issue with earbuds not being repairable. shit's so small...

[Mira Yurizaki]

The biggest irony here is how Apple is striving to be a green company and yet few of its products are easily repairable or upgradable, often forcing people to buy brand new parts when all they needed was to replace one thing.

 

(In case you couldn't tell, the "one link" is really multiple links)

[Vode]

15 minutes ago, M.Yurizaki said:

The biggest irony here is how Apple is striving to be a green company and yet few of its products are easily repairable or upgradable, often forcing people to buy brand new parts when all they needed was to replace one thing.

 

(In case you couldn't tell, the "one link" is really multiple links)

Yeah I agree. Biggest lie ever. It's dumb to say they are sooo green bc of the materials they use (no led, wow good job!) yet you can toss the whole machine if the battery is dead... or the charging port, SMC. etc... And it's getting worse with each new gen.

[formerlyL4]

I get what you guys are saying and to some extent you are right - disposable electronics is almost always a bad thing. But we all probably agree that it's virtually impossible to make these same headphones user repairable. I mean they are so small with so much stuff inside. When Apple knows they can make a better, smaller product they forget about accessibility.

 

I'd argue that most Apple products can be repaired relatively easily. I had to service both iPhone 5s and 6 models (screen replacement on the 6 and earpiece on the 5s) and it was relatively easy. Same goes for the MacBook Air, really easy battery replacement (I know the newer models aren't so friendly).

[zMeul]

10 hours ago, M.Yurizaki said:

The biggest irony here is how Apple is striving to be a green company

(some) apples are green, doesn't that count? 

 

Edited December 22, 2016 by zMeul

[AG1233]

6 hours ago, huilun02 said:

BUT I'm not paying $300 for mediocre sound quality and bad battery life, compared to other wireless sets out there.

The air pods are not 300$.

[Commodus]

I don't want to know how iFixit would look at, say, Jaybird's Freedom earbuds.

 

I know there are some earbuds you can perform work on, but the likelihood of most anyone popping open their earbuds and fixing/replacing anything is fairly slim.  Even on high-end headphones.

[Arri]

On 12/21/2016 at 3:56 AM, Sidiox said:

What is the score for other headphones? Surely most of them are not at all user service able? For a device that small I don't really see how they could make it user serviceable without making it quite a bit more bulky.

I don't like Apple but this sounds a lot like hating for the sake of it.

 

(Of course I don't agree with non serviceability on other devices like the SSD in the new macbooks)

I was about to jump on the Apple hate bandwagon but this makes a lot of sense. There comes a point where tech gets so advanced and miniaturized that its actually better that its not user serviceable as to prevent further damage or even injury.

 

 

[Mira Yurizaki]

4 minutes ago, Arri said:

I was about to jump on the Apple hate bandwagon but this makes a lot of sense. There comes a point where tech gets so advanced and miniaturized that its actually better that its not user serviceable as to prevent further damage or even injury.

I fail to see how miniaturization is more hazardous.

[Bensemus]

Checking their site they don't have anything for other wireless earbuds. I doubt many people even consider fixing such small electronics. 

[BuckGup]

I know the IE80s have replaceable cables which means you could replace the ear pieces then. But fixing headphones isn't really a thing. It will all catch up to Apple though. You can't have every consumer angry at you