Apple Clarifies Power-Saving Modes of AirPods Max When Not in Use

[aaadktda]

It’s not the listening that’s a theoretical problem, it’s what’s done with what it hears. You’re welcome to review Apple’s policy and be reassured.

What if the devices get hacked?

 

[ian87w]

For a company that claims to put the privacy of people front and center, it's disappointing that they made a device with microphones that can't be turned off.

Any proof that the microphone is turned on and actively listening all the time even when left stationary on the table?

 

[ian87w]

A product with no power button, genius!

Remember the 3rd gen iPod shuffle? It didn’t even have volume nor play/pause buttons. Nothing new for Apple.

 

[LongWayHome]

I’m sure a firmware update can modify this behavior, and even enable the crown to activate ultra low power mode, if it becomes apparent that it’s needed.


Have there been lots of complaints about AirPods Max battery drain? Please cite your source.


It’s not the listening that’s a theoretical problem, it’s what’s done with what it hears. You’re welcome to review Apple’s policy and be reassured.

A. Apple needed to clarify that the case didn't need to be used for low power mode, period. If they aren't giving us a power button then we deserve to know that we don't have to use their ridiculous case to conserve battery life.

B. Everyone was VERY reasurred about their privacy until Apple got caught listening to their Siri conversations. Apple says privacy is a choice and people should be able to shut off their mics if it makes them feel better about it. I'm not one of those people but I could see where it could bother some. And I'd highly disagree with you that listening is ok as long as they don't do anything with the information. No company has the right to listen in to what anyone is saying regardless if they don't do anything with the information said.

 

[aaadktda]

Any proof that the microphone is turned on and actively listening all the time even when left stationary on the table?

Any proof that it's not?

 

[robvalentine]

Not really a problem. The switching is pretty good. In your example you’d put on your headphones (which would turn them on) and press play on whatever Apple device you wanted to watch the video on and they should just work.

What I meant was through the phone speakers... should have been more clear.

I also have to laugh at the fan boi downvotes for pointing out a key missing feature.

 

[scotland007]

So if you leave them out the case untouched they go into the low power mode but I am curious how sensitive this don’t touch is? If travelling on a plane and in your bag without the case, would mild turbulence etc be enough to trigger them?

 

[brock2621]

Aside from the price, the lack of switch off ability is a deal breaker. You get home you sit on sofa and someone sends you a video. But your headphones are off, does it play through iPhone or AirPod maxes?

They know when they are on or off your head. I don’t have a pair but multiple videos reviews I’ve watched say how well it works, there must be some sensors inside that know 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[robvalentine]

Except that storing them in the case does not really benefit battery life.


They know whether they are on your head. It would be nice if people would inform themselves about a product before commenting.

Everyone states that they remain connected. When my headphones are connected sound is played through the headset. Simples. Sure the music pauses, but if you hit play again with them off I wanted to know where the sound came out...

Just tried it with my airpods pro (they usually go straight into a case, which you might not know, switches them off (for all intents and purposes). That's an ability the airpod maxes lack. That is a design flaw IMHO. Sorry if I criticised your overpriced headphones.

 

[Zanton68]

I’m glad they’ve clarified how unnecessarily complicated it is.

The big advantage of this “feature” is ????

I assume it’s done so that the battery dies faster so you need to spend more sooner ?

Does this feature have any advantages at all ? I mean....any advantages or benefits for the customer?

Just bizarre

 

[Lundmark]

Again Apple's reluctance to include a simple feature means you need to go through a ridiculous storage procedure to maintain battery life. Why not allow a press of the crown for a few seconds to power down the device instead.

Did you even read the article?

 

[kyeblue]

i hope that the “low power” mode at least meet the FCC’s definition of “not on” on an airplane during take off and landing.

on the privacy issue, i know that homepod is listening but at least i can pull the plug, i don’t think that i will ever buy some thing like this.

 

[Blackstick]

The very worst thing about these, besides the eye watering price, is that stupid case.

 

[Monstieur]

Again Apple's reluctance to include a simple feature means you need to go through a ridiculous storage procedure to maintain battery life. Why not allow a press of the crown for a few seconds to power down the device instead.

Because holding power buttons to turn on Bluetooth devices has been a bane for decades.

 

[sdz]

I think the headphone has a physical switch. Just need to find the magnetic switch and activate it with a 🧲

 

[Apple_Robert]

A product with no power button, genius!

It would have cost more with a power button.

/s

 

[chabig]

I’m glad they’ve clarified how unnecessarily complicated it is.

The big advantage of this “feature” is ????

I assume it’s done so that the battery dies faster so you need to spend more sooner ?

Does this feature have any advantages at all ? I mean....any advantages or benefits for the customer?

Just bizarre

Find my.

 

[Populus]

Again Apple's reluctance to include a simple feature means you need to go through a ridiculous storage procedure to maintain battery life. Why not allow a press of the crown for a few seconds to power down the device instead.

Yeah, having to fold my Solo Pros each time is a hassle when a simple button or just automatically shutting down would be much more convenient.

 

[confess_jason]

Battery anxiety is real! Also, an observation: most women I know don't care about maximizing battery life or cosmetic damage in the aluminium. They just use and abuse their devices as intended. But, man, the first thing I do is break out my magnifying loupe and indentify any imperfections in the enclosure. Then I shut off everything (Siri, Handoff, AirDrop).

 

[gnasher729]

Again Apple's reluctance to include a simple feature means you need to go through a ridiculous storage procedure to maintain battery life. Why not allow a press of the crown for a few seconds to power down the device instead.

There is no "ridiculous storage procedure". Just take the headphones off. One thing that I don't like about my much cheaper headphones is that they don't power down unless I press a button on the phones.

 

[ian87w]

Any proof that it's not?

Since you made the claim, hopefully you can show a proof.

Meanwhile, iOS I belive now shows an indicator when a microphone being accessed. No reviewers seem to be showing any strange activities.

 

[tonie walker]

apple is known for not telling its consumers every features of its device if we call it a feature, anyway delivery times now has improved to 8-10 weeks from 10-14 weeks.

 

[Kabeyun]

Everyone was VERY reasurred about their privacy until Apple got caught listening to their Siri conversations. Apple says privacy is a choice and people should be able to shut off their mics if it makes them feel better about it. I'm not one of those people but I could see where it could bother some. And I'd highly disagree with you that listening is ok as long as they don't do anything with the information. No company has the right to listen in to what anyone is saying regardless if they don't do anything with the information said.

It doesn’t sounds like you know the actual details of either the “controversy” (at least according to your spin) or how “Hey Siri,” for example, works.

 

[Jbusick7944]

All the sobbing and whaling and it’s just to keep Find My running for a bit.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

If the circuits and gates allows it then a simple firmware update should technically add a off switch function to the noise cancellation button by long pressing the noise cancellation button, if not, then updates can still be pulled for early kicking of the ultra low power saving mode when leaving them stationary. Apple could easily fix this if it wants, but the question here is that will they do it?, as it will affect the sales of the additional purse shaped case.

The case comes with the headphones. I don’t understand where the idea they’re an additional accessory to purchase came from.