Options to Listen to Podcasts on MacBook Pro?

[Ambrosia7177]

Hi. I would like to start listening to video/audio content (e.g. YouTube) while I work as many say that is a great way to multi-task and learn as you go through your day.

I have a MacBook Pro M3 Max.

Am super behind the times, and clueless about my options to listen to music wirelessly.

As long as I've had Macs, I just listen to music and videos using my wired USB phone headset that I use for VOIP phone calls.

When I was organizing my storage unit recently, I found an iPhone box that had some ear buds in it, but I don't recall if they had wires on them. (They may have been from an iPhone 6S Plus or maybe my iPhone 11 Pro Max?)

Don't want to spend tons of $$$, and maybe those ear buds I have will work.

To be clear, I prefer listening on wired headsets, but days like today, I am scanning in receipts which requires me to get up and move around, and so my old wired USB headset doesn't help me reach my end goal of being able to continuously listen to a 1-hour YouTUbe video while I work.

Maybe you guys can help me catch up with the 20th century? ;-)

 

[russell_314]

Hi. I would like to start listening to video/audio content (e.g. YouTube) while I work as many say that is a great way to multi-task and learn as you go through your day.

I have a MacBook Pro M3 Max.

Am super behind the times, and clueless about my options to listen to music wirelessly.

As long as I've had Macs, I just listen to music and videos using my wired USB phone headset that I use for VOIP phone calls.

When I was organizing my storage unit recently, I found an iPhone box that had some ear buds in it, but I don't recall if they had wires on them. (They may have been from an iPhone 6S Plus or maybe my iPhone 11 Pro Max?)

If they came with an iPhone, they are wired earbuds. If they came with a 6S then they would a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Those will work. If they came with an 11 Pro Max, then they have a Lightning connector and that will not work with your Mac. Also, my biggest issue with those for me is you have to be aware you’re wearing them. Stand up real quickly and your MacBook goes flying.

Don't want to spend tons of $$$, and maybe those ear buds I have will work.

What is your idea of a ton of $$$? The obvious solution is just regular AirPods. Not the pro, but just regular AirPods. They’re about $120 in the US on Amazon. If that’s too pricey, you can get Bluetooth earbuds for $50 that are fairly decent. Just look at the reviews and find ones you like.

To be clear, I prefer listening on wired headsets, but days like today, I am scanning in receipts which requires me to get up and move around, and so my old wired USB headset doesn't help me reach my end goal of being able to continuously listen to a 1-hour YouTUbe video while I work.

Maybe you guys can help me catch up with the 20th century? ;-)

Wired is nice, but not really needed for sound quality on the YouTube video. Also, you’re kind of attached to your desk by a wire. It’s less annoying if it’s attached to something like an iPhone that you’re carrying around, but you can’t walk around your office easily holding a laptop

 

[Ambrosia7177]

If they came with an iPhone, they are wired earbuds. If they came with a 6S then they would a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Those will work. If they came with an 11 Pro Max, then they have a Lightning connector and that will not work with your Mac. Also, my biggest issue with those for me is you have to be aware you’re wearing them. Stand up real quickly and your MacBook goes flying.

Exactly why I am here! (I have done that a couple times with my USB headset already!)

What is your idea of a ton of $$$? The obvious solution is just regular AirPods. Not the pro, but just regular AirPods. They’re about $120 in the US on Amazon.

Are those Apple? If so, can I get them from Apple directly?

If that’s too pricey, you can get Bluetooth earbuds for $50 that are fairly decent. Just look at the reviews and find ones you like.

Since I just want to listen to videos/podcasts while I work, i don't really need incredible sound quality.

Wired is nice, but not really needed for sound quality on the YouTube video.

I just have wired because that is how I talk on the phone. (That, and for phone calls I don't trust Bluetooth from a security standpoint.)

Also, you’re kind of attached to your desk by a wire. It’s less annoying if it’s attached to something like an iPhone that you’re carrying around, but you can’t walk around your office easily holding a laptop

Normally I don't mind, but when I'm doing things like scanning receipts where I need to walk around, that is where catching up with the modern world and having wireless headphones or earbuds would be nice.

 

[Grumpus]

For the price, it's awfully hard to beat these Anker bluetooth earbuds. They don't hold up well at rock-concert volumes, but otherwise they're fine, certainly good enough for podcasts and other casual listening.

 

[russell_314]

Exactly why I am here! (I have done that a couple times with my USB headset already!)

Me too. There was no damage, but I was lucky.

Are those Apple? If so, can I get them from Apple directly?

Yep, they are on AirPods 4 now. They have two different versions of those. One with noise cancellation. There’s also AirPods Pro 2. These have noise cancellation as well. The difference is the regular AirPods are kind of like the old Apple earbuds when they just fit in your ear without the rubber seal. That means they either fit you or they don’t fit you. You’ll either love them or hate them depending on how they fit. I’m still using the older version of AirPods so I haven’t tried the new ones. The AirPods Pro have rubber tips like normal earbuds. I’ve never liked that style, but if it doesn’t bother you then it’s a good choice. If you buy from Apple, there’s a 14 day return period where you can send them back if you don’t like them.

Since I just want to listen to videos/podcasts while I work, i don't really need incredible sound quality.

The regular AirPods were great for that.

I just have wired because that is how I talk on the phone. (That, and for phone calls I don't trust Bluetooth from a security standpoint.)

I don’t ever worry about that. I don’t discuss anything secret. Also the cell phone is wireless so not 100% secure.

Normally I don't mind, but when I'm doing things like scanning receipts where I need to walk around, that is where catching up with the modern world and having wireless headphones or earbuds would be nice.

They’re nice. Also as the poster above mentioned Anker makes some that are more affordable. You lose some of the fancy Apple continuity features but not a big deal IMO. Either way buy from a store that has a generous return policy just in case you don’t like them.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

Another dumb question, but how do wireless earbuds work on a new M3 Max?

Do I have to plug in some USB-C receiver for them to work?

Or do they communicate some other way to my MBP?

I assume they use Bluetooth, right?

 

[Grumpus]

Another dumb question, but how do wireless earbuds work on a new M3 Max?

Wireless earbuds connect via bluetooth, which is a wireless technology. Your MBP has bluetooth built in. The process of connecting a bluetooth device is called pairing. See this Apple support page for pairing instructions. Bluetooth earbuds come with a case in which they are stored and which is used for charging. The earbuds and the case both contain batteries, with the battery in the case being charged via USB. You can use either your MBP or a separate USB power supply for charging.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

Wireless earbuds connect via bluetooth, which is a wireless technology. Your MBP has bluetooth built in. The process of connecting a bluetooth device is called pairing. See this Apple support page for pairing instructions. Bluetooth earbuds come with a case in which they are stored and which is used for charging. The earbuds and the case both contain batteries, with the battery in the case being charged via USB. You can use either your MBP or a separate USB power supply for charging.

In the modern world, are all "wireless" devices using Bluetooth, or is there "wireless without Bluetooth" also?

And would what you say apply if I bought a cheap pair of earbuds at Target or Walmart?

(I can see buying a nice pair from Apple down-the-road, but right now I don't want to spend that much to listen to YouTube videos while I work.)

 

[Grumpus]

Wireless refers to connections which use radio rather than physical connections, and bluetooth is a particular kind of wireless technology. There are certainly non-bluetooth kinds of wireless, your wireless router being one example. You are probably not going to find any wireless earbuds which don't use bluetooth. The bluetooth logo will be printed on the box of any bluetooth device.

 

[UpsetTheAppleCart]

Am super behind the times,

Maybe you guys can help me catch up with the 20th century?

You’re a whole century behind the times 😆