Third-Party AirPods Max Solutions Seek to Address Smart Case Criticisms

[MacRumors]

The first third-party cases and hangers for AirPods Max containing magnets, that allow users to avoid using Apple's Smart Case, are now available for purchase.

Apple's Smart Case contains magnets that put AirPods Max into a low power mode to preserve battery life. After 18 hours in the Smart Case, the AirPods Max go into an ultra-low power mode that turns off Bluetooth and Find My.

AirPods Max have no power button, with Apple instead relying on different power modes and the Smart Case to preserve battery life. Yet the Smart Case has come under fire for its design, which some customers have criticized for offering very little protection and being impractical, and without using it, AirPods Max take longer to enter its low-power state.

Amid these criticisms, third-party companies have begun presenting solutions to address the criticisms of the Smart Case. WaterField Designs' protective "Shield Case" for AirPods Max, unlike Apple's Smart Case which only partially covers each AirPods Max ear cup, cradles the entire headset in an ultra-plush interior and offers three layers of protection. There is also an interior pocket to carry a charging brick, waterproof zippers, and a loop to attach the case to a carabiner.

The WaterField Shield Case contains a "Magnetic Leather Butterfly" that puts AirPods Max into their low power mode without Apple's Smart Case, but it is also possible to fold down these magnets to put AirPods Max together with their Smart Case into the Shield Case too.

On Etsy, a 3D-printed AirPods Max "Air Hanger" similarly uses magnets to put the headphones into low power mode without the Smart Case. The wall-mounted hanger allows AirPods Max to be hung at any band length, with a curved lip to prevent the headphones from sliding off.

The WaterField Designs Shield Case for AirPods Max is available now in a range of colors for $99. The Air Hanger is available on Etsy for $34.95.

Article Link: Third-Party AirPods Max Solutions Seek to Address Smart Case Criticisms

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

It looks pretty solid! Air Hanger funny name however for only $34.95. You can't beat the price.

 

[Costino1]

I can't think of any other time where Apple's customers had to rush out and create their own solution to solve a problem created by Apple. I hope Apple views this (the case) as a failure and stops with simply using aesthetics instead of function.

 

[irontiger82]

looks like crap.

 

[macsound1]

It wasn't until I listed to last week's ATP when I found out using the case disabled Find My faster than without the case.

If it was me, and I wanted to use Find My as a replacement for something like Tile, I wouldn't want my headphones, when traveling, to disable Find My.
I'd want to do something to ensure while out and about, espically when I haven't used them in a while, to keep Find My enabled for as long as possible in case they get dropped outside my bag or stolen by someone who knows what they are worth.

 

[oneteam]

I like Waterfield, but that case is horrendous.

 

[jz0309]

so a proper case is $99, and a stylish "nail" is $35 ... come one Apple, you have clearly missed the mark on using AirPods max for travel, that's a big shame

 

[jz0309]

I like Waterfield, but that case is horrendous.

looks better than Apple's smart case still

 

[cjboffoli97]

Maybe someone can invent a product that can dry out the condensation that keeps forming inside my AirPods Max after a few hours of use. I'm having to towel them out several times a day, which cannot be good long-term.

 

[djcerla]

I travel since forever with Pioneer headphones in my backpack. Naked, because the case it too bulky and steals space for other stuff. Never had a single scratch.

I very much appreciate Apple’s solution. It will become very popular and will be copied.

 

[now i see it]

and these are just headphones.
Looking forward to the Apple Car

 

[R3k]

As expected. And necessary.

 

[TravelsInBlue]

I can't think of any other time where Apple's customers had to rush out and create their own solution to solve a problem created by Apple. I hope Apple views this (the case) as a failure and stops with simply using aesthetics instead of function.

Narrator Voice: They won’t.

 

[cardfan]

This is funny to see. Are there people dumb enough to buy these?

 

[Realityck]

We’ll at least some other traveling cases are now showing up, just another expense to ponder.

 

[decisions]

Waterfield case is amazing and what Apple should gave shipped with these headphones.

 

[WhoDaKat]

I can't think of any other time where Apple's customers had to rush out and create their own solution to solve a problem created by Apple. I hope Apple views this (the case) as a failure and stops with simply using aesthetics instead of function.

No one has to rush out and do anything LOL! Mine are working just fine without anything but the smart case.

“I hope Apple views this (the case) as a failure and stops simply using aesthetics instead of function.”

According to the case designers function was the driving factor as they wanted it to take up as little room as possible and it does take up less room than any other over the ear headphones case I’ve ever seen.

Don’t hate.

 

[carlhancock]

"Nobody would buy a $99 case for $550 headphones..."

* Me checking the Waterfield site and seeing the the first 6 batches are already sold out in every color *

When will the "Nobody would buy..." or "Who's gonna buy..." crowd understand that just because they wouldn't buy these things doesn't mean there isn't a market?

The AirPods Max are selling. The 3rd party cases and stands will sell too.

There is clearly a market for it.

 

[Tdr5857]

Wow a case for a pair of headphones that you can’t buy anywhere lol.

 

[Kabeyun]

What few people around here understood (because after all, it’s more fun to be outraged) is that this is exactly what Apple planned from the beginning. Third party accessories are a rich part of the gizmo world and they deliberately left room for great cases made by other companies. It’s a good thing to support one’s accessory community. This is as true for AirPods Max as it is for nearly every other portable product Apple makes.

 

[oneteam]

looks better than Apple's smart case still

Not to me.

 

[carlhancock]

What few people around here understood (because after all, it’s more fun to be outraged) is that this is exactly what Apple planned from the beginning. Third party accessories are a rich part of the gizmo world and they deliberately left room for great cases made by other companies. It’s a good thing to support one’s accessory community. This is as true for AirPods Max as it is for nearly every other portable product Apple makes.

Bingo. Apple knew exactly what they were doing.

 

[OriginalClone]

I can't think of any other time where Apple's customers had to rush out and create their own solution to solve a problem created by Apple. I hope Apple views this (the case) as a failure and stops with simply using aesthetics instead of function.

I’m upset, but not surprised, that tech outlets aren’t calling them out about it. Its pretty sad actually.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I can't think of any other time where Apple's customers had to rush out and create their own solution to solve a problem created by Apple. I hope Apple views this (the case) as a failure and stops with simply using aesthetics instead of function.

You might not be able to think of one, but you can google a few.

 

[artfossil]

Waterfield case is amazing and what Apple should gave shipped with these headphones.

The Waterfield case is great as are all the Waterfield products I owned in the past. But the last thing I want for my headphones is a zipper case. (The first thing I did with my Beats was recycle the case.) So for me, I prefer Apple's sleeve. I'm glad those who want a more protective case can get one.