AirPods Repairability Project Adds USB-C Port and 3D-Printed Casing

[Joe Dohn]

I disagree, and so do millions of other people.

You disagree why? We've had devices with removable batteries since forever. This guy has PROVED it doesn't take much to design devices that last. What's with consumers having a device that will last for a long time?

Doesn't Apple want to go green? Well, having repairable devices is green!

Oh, but that won't give Apple as much money, will it?

 

[Breaking Good]

USB-C everything. That will work for me. No offense to the lightning cable but outside of my Apple devices most are USB-C.

We have standards for interoperability between all types of devices. I believe that lightening is superior to USB-C for mobile devices but if switching to USB-C will improve interoperability and reduce e-waste like many proponents suggest, then I am all for it. I'll adapt to the change.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Apple, it’s time to move on. Let go of the lightning port. I think this world is ready for a USB-C lightning port. What else it's going to take?

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

As an exercise, it’s pretty cool, but also a little hyperbolic.

How exactly does switching to USB-C make it more repairable, though?

Did you not read the article?

"In the process of the modification, Pillonel also successfully swapped the charging case's Lightning port for a USB-C port. The reasoning for this is because replacement Lightning ports for AirPods cannot be purchased individually, meaning that they have to be obtained from other AirPods charging cases."

READ!

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Because those parts can be bought easily. It is technically illegal to create third-party lightning ports without Apple's explicit permission (aka a fee paid back to them). And since they won't allow it licensing if you're just selling the port, no one can sell repair kits. USBC doesn't have the same requirement so you can very easily purchase parts, look up diagrams, and find schematics.

Who in the world would want replacement parts that can be very easily purchased at (many) competitor-driven, standards-based pricing instead of paying up for parts from only a single source? What kind of insane alternate reality would that be? I want only ONE seller who can charge ANYTHING because they are only ONE seller and if I can't pay much more than some competing, "universal" standard, I don't want to buy whatever it is at all. 🤪

 

[a.phoenicis]

Did you not read the article?

"In the process of the modification, Pillonel also successfully swapped the charging case's Lightning port for a USB-C port. The reasoning for this is because replacement Lightning ports for AirPods cannot be purchased individually, meaning that they have to be obtained from other AirPods charging cases."

READ!

Admittedly, no, I didn’t read the full article. As I said, neat as an exercise. Likely to make a large impact? Doubtful.

That said, I applaud the effort, and agree that it would be great if everything just used the same connector.

Also, "dirty secret?" Really? Hyperbole much? I'm getting really tired of YouTube melodrama.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Apple, it’s time to move on. Let go of the lightning port. I think this world is ready for a USB-C lightning port. What else it's going to take?

Masses of customers voting against Lightning with their wallets. That's the ONLY thing likely to do it... unless GOVs force the issue.

If we whine- even LOUDLY- against Lightning but then buy Lightning-based stuff anyway, Apple simply sees market acceptance, rewarded with revenue as the ultimate show that their decisions are right and wanted by the market.

 

[drumpat01]

Exactly! I was just about to comment this. Where are all the lightning things going to end up?

So are you suggesting Apple just NEVER move away from the lightning port because it will create waste?

 

[PaloAltoMark]

It will take me years before I have only USB-C stuff once Apple starts to move everything to it. I have keyboards, trackpads, headphones, a phone, and remotes... I think people have no idea why Apple has been moving slowly in this area; people are going to freak out about it once it starts to happen, just like the 30-pin...

I have a Macbook pro late 2016 laptop that is USB-C. When the computer was introduced, there were howls of disapproval because there weren't many (if any) options for USB-C monitors, external hard drives etc. If you wanted a new Macbook, you had no choice but go USB-C and endure the pain of the transition. Apple promised USB-C was the way of the future and those that purchased the Macbook were supposed to endure the pain in the short run. Well, here we are six years later and Apple hasn't transitioned it's iPhones or Airpod or some of the iPads models. It's infuriating and I do wish we didn't have to carry around multiple cable and charging solutions.

 

[citysnaps]

I don’t get the internet obsession with USB-C outside of it just being something to complain about.

You nailed it!

 

[Paddle1]

You nailed it!

Some people use the Lightning port for things where it simply doesn't measure up. Just because it makes no difference to you doesn't mean that that's the case for everyone.

 

[ignatius345]

It will take me years before I have only USB-C stuff once Apple starts to move everything to it. I have keyboards, trackpads, headphones, a phone, and remotes... I think people have no idea why Apple has been moving slowly in this area; people are going to freak out about it once it starts to happen, just like the 30-pin...

Same here. I've got Lightning devices, I've got USB-A devices. I've got way more Micro USB and even Mini USB connectors than I'd like. But I'm also not going to throw out a functioning device because it charges with an outdated connector. The truly environmental move is to make peace with whatever cords you have to use, and not replace things when they don't need to be replaced.

People are getting hung up on the USB-C part of this, but it sounds like that was used mainly for expediency. The real news is that this guy came up with a way to divert AirPods cases from landfill.

 

[DTphonehome]

I don’t see how millions of people throwing away lightning cables help the environment

Did you not see the part of my post suggesting a trade-in program? Apple recycles all the devices they receive back and I'm sure they'd do the same for cables.

 

[Joe Dohn]

Did you not see the part of my post suggesting a trade-in program? Apple recycles all the devices they receive back and I'm sure they'd do the same for cables.

Doesn't work, because this sort of thing is never implemented successfully globally. Many development countries do not even have proper ways to recycle e-waste. And they don't usually enforce legislation forcing big companies to recycle, so they won't.

 

[iManilaEnvelope]

Masses of customers voting against Lightning with their wallets. That's the ONLY thing likely to do it... unless GOVs force the issue.

If we whine- even LOUDLY- against Lightning but then buy Lightning-based stuff anyway, Apple simply sees market acceptance, rewarded with revenue as the ultimate show that their decisions are right and wanted by the market.

I simply don’t understand this thinking. Like the Apple Pay monopoly article. “Vote with their wallets?” “Apple sees market acceptance?”

I think people just don’t get economics. You think the demand curve for Lightning cables shifts demand to the right?

Ok. Assuming buyers are really lookin for the PORT of their cable to make their decision in buying an Apple product already included in the box “for free,” why not simply increase the price for the cable to meet demand?

Why not buy less if the price goes up? Because consumers have to buy Lightning MiFi whatever to use their equipment. Or, it’s already in the box.

Why would Apple produce more Lightning cables for free or for less income when they can simply force people to buy the cable at a price they set: a higher price? This is why you buy a Lightning Apple or Anker cable for $29 and a USB-C for $9. Seriously!

 

[Premium1]

It will take me years before I have only USB-C stuff once Apple starts to move everything to it. I have keyboards, trackpads, headphones, a phone, and remotes... I think people have no idea why Apple has been moving slowly in this area; people are going to freak out about it once it starts to happen, just like the 30-pin...

Eh doubtful. USB-C is widespread and even apple has a bunch of products with USB-C. It's not a propriety cord like apple used with the 30--lightning so the changeover will be much less painful for most.

 

[ignatius345]

I disagree, and so do millions of other people.

People want AirPods, but I rather doubt everyone specifically wants them to be disposable.

 

[compwiz1202]

Some people use the Lightning port for things where it simply doesn't measure up. Just because it makes no difference to you doesn't mean that that's the case for everyone.

Yea a good question is what % use it for data transfer of something substantial. I think the first things to go should be USB A and B. Do all newer Androids use USB C now? All A charging ports need to become C. Not even just speed. Even though there are two orientations, if I don't look first, 90%+ of the time, I pick the wrong way.

 

[mw360]

I don’t see how millions of people throwing away lightning cables help the environment

Exactly! I was just about to comment this. Where are all the lightning things going to end up?

They’re all getting thrown out eventually, so in the long run it doesn’t matter about your current stash of Lightning cables. The point is to stop making them because we don’t need them.

 

[cateye]

When the Lightning to USB-C transition does happen—through government fiat or Apple's own volition—particularly on the iPhone, the product that Apple sells by far the most of and is their only product that has true, industry-moving relevance, the Lightning accessory market will collapse and the port will be a forgotten memory in a matter of months, just like the 30-pin connector. The connector doesn't matter, it's all about moving toward where money can be made.

But, we will not mourn or forget! Maybe MacRumors should proactively create a "Lightning Connector" sub-forum like the PowerPC Macs forum, where great handfuls of people can gather and post their own instructional videos on how to remove the USB-C port and put Lightning back. I look forward to all the Lightning White Knights honing their soldering skills and putting action to their stridency, just like those of us who have been drumming our fingers on the table and waiting for Lightning to go away.

 

[DTphonehome]

Doesn't work, because this sort of thing is never implemented successfully globally. Many development countries do not even have proper ways to recycle e-waste. And they don't usually enforce legislation forcing big companies to recycle, so they won't.

Eventually they're going into the trash regardless. Better to stop producing them and let people use the cables they likely already have.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I simply don’t understand this thinking. Like the Apple Pay monopoly article. “Vote with their wallets?” “Apple sees market acceptance?”

I think people just don’t get economics. You think the demand curve for Lightning cables shifts demand to the right?

Ok. Assuming buyers are really lookin for the PORT of their cable to make their decision in buying an Apple product already included in the box “for free,” why not simply increase the price for the cable to meet demand?

Why not buy less if the price goes up? Because consumers have to buy Lightning MiFi whatever to use their equipment. Or, it’s already in the box.

Why would Apple produce more Lightning cables for free or for less income when they can simply force people to buy the cable at a price they set: a higher price? This is why you buy a Lightning Apple or Anker cable for $29 and a USB-C for $9. Seriously!

That's a good one. Any my reply had virtually nothing to do with cables, free or otherwise. But I'll bite...

Apple rolls out something with Lightning again. However, this time, the market doesn't buy in volume. There is a noticeable drop in market acceptance.

Apple does some surveying- maybe polling retail workers in stores- to find that the driving reason is the market no longer wants to buy things with non-standard Lightning jacks.

What does Apple do?

Money talks... much louder than whines on bulletin boards. If people refuse to buy lightning-based products, Apple will come to understand why and change. Else, if people "just buy anyway," there is no revenue problem to investigate, learn about an evolving market want and adapt.

Until then, some other force would have to drive the change such as Apple choosing to do so on their own or perhaps the force of GOVs requiring a standard over a proprietary jack.

 

[Joe Dohn]

Eventually they're going into the trash regardless. Better to stop producing them and let people use the cables they likely already have.

That's a very weird leap of logic. So, because products are going to the trash regardless we shouldn't try to stop e-waste? They can go to the trash in a year, or in 20 years. But if they go to the trash in 20 years, the amount of e-waste is reduced dramatically. And since Apple is a green company, that's what they want too, right?

 

[spazzcat]

You disagree why? We've had devices with removable batteries since forever. This guy has PROVED it doesn't take much to design devices that last. What's with consumers having a device that will last for a long time?

Doesn't Apple want to go green? Well, having repairable devices is green!

Oh, but that won't give Apple as much money, will it?

I don't want my AirPods to look like hearing aids

 

[bgillander]

Cool project. But wouldn’t the batteries in the AirPods themselves be more likely to die before the battery in the charging case?