Engineering Student Creates Custom AirPods With USB-C Charging Case

[Alwis]

The german computer magazine Ct from time to time has tests of USB-C cables and articles about which cables to buy, depending on speed and charging curent.

A clear indication, that something is wrong with this standard… Not to mention the USB naming chaos.

 

[sdwaltz]

Why? Why this obsession with USB C? I simply do not understand. Lightning is fine, and I have like 50 lightning cables at this point.

 

[boyarka]

Apple introduces TB3/4 with USBC connector. Apple fanboys: "Best thing ever, thank you Apple! Gone are all other ports that people might have needed, now we have one port to do it all!"

Apple fails to implement same connectivity on iPad and iPhone, keeps archaic Lightening. Apple fanboys: "It's a... security issue! If you want it then you are clueless!"

EU says: "Do it, we are asking nicely".

Apple fanboys and the old rooster Cook: "No! This is govt over-reach!".

 

[code-m]

I agree. But with small devices such as smart watches or truly wireless headsets etc it makes more sense to use wireless charging.

I’m not talking about wireless phones.
And therefore it makes sense to only target a device with a port to use usb c. If the manufacturer wants to go portless, then we have Qi charging

Considering even AirPods are not wireless charged as it has a connector to initiate a charge for each ear piece while stored in the case, I am sure a wireless accessory will implement something similar. Wireless charging even with Qi requires some alignment, MagSafe improved upon it but for what it is separate AirPod ear pieces cannot be individually charged without it’s case and there is a good reason for that.

 

[code-m]

I wouldn't want a portless phone for just the reasons you mentioned. My comment was about a port on the watch.

A hard reset will disable data flow on the Lightning port on the phone and iPad. Also, leaving it locked for an hour.

I am not sure if you misunderstood my comment or I am misunderstanding your comment, however I don’t mind ports or holes to connect and charge my devices.

 

[ajfahey]

I support abandoning lightning by one means or another. its tech whose time is now long gone.

 

[slplss]

People want Apple to utilize USB-C so badly, lol.

People and Mada Neitʃa. Apple going green? Maybe in wealth.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

Come on, Apple! It's time to go to ONE charging connection worldwide - USB-C for all devices. You'll still make plenty of money and people will be able to stop all the cable madness. The time is N O W, Apple.

Yes.... but don't ditch MagSafe on MBP's. Otherwise, yes, standardise to USB-C charging ffs.

Oh, and can we please have a couple of USB-A ports thrown into the MBP's. Pretty please.

 

[Vasilioskn]

Tactile charging sucks , I prefer wire all the way.

 

[thisMRguy]

EU regulations set to kick in just in time for lightning to hit its 10year cycle.
2003-2014 - 30 pin
2012-xxxx - lightning

 

[thisMRguy]

The german computer magazine Ct from time to time has tests of USB-C cables and articles about which cables to buy, depending on speed and charging curent.

A clear indication, that something is wrong with this standard… Not to mention the USB naming chaos.

No difference to when i buy knock off lightning cables compared to reputable brands. I buy cheap I will get slow charging with the contacts eventually wearing out.

 

[Neepman]

The lust so many have for an extremely poor connector for a mobile device is truly fascinating.

 

[quietstormSD]

Lol, wireless so your battery degrades faster and it charges slower. Yep charging according to you is three steps back, got it.

Does it really degrade it faster? It's my preferred method too! Obviously, when I'm in no rush, such as when I fall asleep, and at or near my desk for most of the day. But it really sucks if it degrades it faster.

 

[ojwk]

Not just one cable for charging - one cable for everything.

• Charging
• Display output
• Connecting peripherals
• Data transfer
• Audio

It frustrates me that cable manufacturers with USB-C connectors do not routinely indicate what cables they are. I have lengths of USB 3, Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 cables which all have USB-C connectors at both ends and no discernible way to identify what they are inside.

Also, I’m not sure why you’ve included audio in that list. At one point the signal needs to be analogue (e.g. audio cable from an external DAC to headphones.)

 

[kiranmk2]

Agree on the poor cable descriptors and labelling. I would hope that the USB-IF sort it out, but seeing the fustercluck that is the general USB version numbering system I don't hold out hope.

Audio was included because of USB-C headphones or potential for USB-C to replace optical/HDMI in stereo / AV playback devices.

 

[Alwis]

EU regulations set to kick in just in time for lightning to hit its 10year cycle.
2003-2014 - 30 pin
2012-xxxx - lightning

And from 2023 - 2123 USB-C, as no one on the EUR will be willing or able to adapt this regulation to new technologies. For me this regulation is a great step backward. Would they have been successfull a few years ago we would all use mico USB connectors, which is even for USB standards a really bad design.

The lust so many for an extremely poor connector for a mobile device is truly fascinating.

I do not get it either. The USB-C connector has the fragile part in the middle in the female connector, which es inside the expensive devices. Probably because there are more cables made than devices and the manufactures can save some money. For me this is really bad design, but it fits into the history of USB.

I would rather prefer an iPhone without a port at all than one with USB-C.

Does it really degrade it faster? It's my preferred method too! Obviously, when I'm in no rush, such as when I fall asleep, and at or near my desk for most of the day. But it really sucks if it degrades it faster.

I am using wireless charging since the iPhone 8, that I bought in 2017 and which is still used by my wife and with my current iPhone 11 Pro, bought in 2019. Booth devices have been plugged charged with a cable only twice, once during migration and once to initially connect them to the Mac. Booth batteries are still find. But I am intentionally only using a slow charger.

 

[laptech]

I do not get it. Members are appluading the guy and basically telling Apple to listen to this guy and what he is doing but yet there are threads where the EU are basically telling Apple to use usb-c to help reduce e-waste and yet members are deriding the EU for trying to tell Apple what to do.

They are both basically saying the same thing, Apple go use usb-c but one is being applauded (engineering student) whereas the other is being derided (the EU). The way members think around here is ever so confusing.

 

[Sophisticatednut]

And from 2023 - 2123 USB-C, as no one on the EUR will be willing or able to adapt this regulation to new technologies. For me this regulation is a great step backward. Would they have been successfull a few years ago we would all use mico USB connectors, which is even for USB standards a really bad design.

The literal regulatory text is referencing USB consortiums updated text. The body is based on the industry cooperation, not on EU mandate. Go and tears the text as you are describing unfounded fears based on a fantasy.

I do not get it either. The USB-C connector has the fragile part in the middle in the female connector, which es inside the expensive devices. Probably because there are more cables made than devices and the manufactures can save some money. For me this is really bad design, but it fits into the history of USB.

Well apple and company is members of the USB consortium, apple had the ability to use lightning as the standard but chose not to. So now we have USB C.

I would rather prefer an iPhone without a port at all than one with USB-C.

Untill wireless charging and data transfer can be just as secure, fast and reliable we will still have a port.

I am using wireless charging since the iPhone 8, that I bought in 2017 and which is still used by my wife and with my current iPhone 11 Pro, bought in 2019. Booth devices have been plugged charged with a cable only twice, once during migration and once to initially connect them to the Mac. Booth batteries are still find. But I am intentionally only using a slow charger.

Perhaps, but for me have barely used qi charging with my iPhone 8 I still use. Data transfer over Wi-Fi is too slow and you can’t do a clean install and data transfer with wireless, and by cable is also extremely slow as we are stuck with usb 2 speeds. Compared to my iPad pro with usb c.

 

[svish]

Interesting to see USB C on AirPods. Apple will never launch AirPods with USB C. Wireless or Lightning only!!

 

[code-m]

Does it really degrade it faster? It's my preferred method too! Obviously, when I'm in no rush, such as when I fall asleep, and at or near my desk for most of the day. But it really sucks if it degrades it faster.

Yes, in my experience and my family and friends it has been the consensus. Battery life on my iPhone 12 Pro for 18 months has been down to 87% on others it’s 84%. On iPhones not using Qi after 2.5 to 3 years it has been 94%. After I stopped Qi charging battery heath has been degrading at a slower pace.