Right! It's pretty much the exact opposite of robbery!
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Third-Party AirPods Max Solutions Seek to Address Smart Case Criticisms
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I own the Airpods Max and am not at all dissatisfied with the SmartCase. Though, I think it should've been called a SmartCover or something like that, because it's not really a case. If you think about it as a cover (a cover that happens to have the added benefit of putting the headphones in a sleep mode) and not a "carrying case," then it really isn't all that difficult to understand why the Smartcase is the way it is (albeit ugly).
Also, I think we can all agree that Apple sees its products as being "premium" (whether or not you feel that description is justified is another subject altogether), and if you think about it, most expensive/premium products are not known for including accessories. Seriously, think about how many cheap, generic, obscure brands of electronic goods you can find on Amazon, for instance. Just look at the titles or descriptions. You'll invariably see things like "Includes pro carrying case, two extra cords, replacement battery, etc...)." It seems to me the more expensive and premium the product, the less is included in the box with the product. It's kind of the opposite of what you'd expect. Obviously there are exceptions to this.
Anyway... that's my stupid opinion.
Also, I think we can all agree that Apple sees its products as being "premium" (whether or not you feel that description is justified is another subject altogether), and if you think about it, most expensive/premium products are not known for including accessories. Seriously, think about how many cheap, generic, obscure brands of electronic goods you can find on Amazon, for instance. Just look at the titles or descriptions. You'll invariably see things like "Includes pro carrying case, two extra cords, replacement battery, etc...)." It seems to me the more expensive and premium the product, the less is included in the box with the product. It's kind of the opposite of what you'd expect. Obviously there are exceptions to this.
Anyway... that's my stupid opinion.
But that doesn't explain to me why they still made a "case" anyways. I think they could have sold the headphones by themselves (and that should even be an option) and it still would have motivated the accessory market just as much
It's not as simple. Their sound is good for BT headphones. It's not as good as what much cheaper wired headphones can deliver. The best headphones tend to be open air headphones. NC headphones can't be open air. These headphones clearly were designed with travel and/or noisy environment in mind. For this use case sound quality is not always the highest priority.
Is it possible that this smart case was designed to do what headphone cases typically don't need to do:
- switch power saving mode
- prevent from losing magnetically attached ear cushions
I agree with you — if I owned a pair, I would absolutely be buying a new case for them.
That said, it’s outrageous that for $550 they aren’t giving a functional case. It’s not as if they needed to reinvent the wheel — Bose and Sony have produced perfectly serviceable cases that protect the headphones and are functional.
Apple intentionally made a bad product to help third party companies? I’ve been on these forums for 15 years and that’s a new one I must admit
At Amazon you can get decent case for APM around $20. Of course Waterfield looks and feels premium ( except for the brown. I like the red, black and blue best ) but since you’ve already spent $600 why spend more money since case is a case it’s nice to have good one but not essential..Just humble opinion
Listen, I love Apple and anyone knows me knows that. But how they weren’t able to produce a proper case for $500+ pair of headphones is beyond me. The Sony XM‘s I have, has an amazing hardshell case, lightweight, durable zipper, snug where it holds the headphones without any type of sliding around and has little pockets for adapters. Just a complete miss on Apple‘s part on this, but benefits third-party manufactures.
Apparently many do. I don’t. I still prefer my old Sony XM 3 and Bose 700. I am just average music listener. I don’t need the world‘s greatest sound quality..as long as I can hear lyrics and beat of the music is good enough for me. I spend my money on something WAY more important like rent, food, gas and other living necessities.
lives without music may be boring but you will live on, lives without food or water lives don’t go on—my humble thought
lives without music may be boring but you will live on, lives without food or water lives don’t go on—my humble thought
Insert any explanation. Prevent scuffing your expensive new headphones. Show off autosleep. Gotta provide something. Whatever. People expect a case of sorts.
No, Apple intentionally made a minimalist product, just like virtually all their other cases.Apple intentionally made a bad product to help third party companies? I’ve been on these forums for 15 years and that’s a new one I must admit
It's still a bad design. Sales don't change that. The sales are telling about those people rushing to buy all that glitters and has an Apple logo on it, including scalped units. Also, I'd be interested to see how many of these units were returned, considering the only way to try one hands-on is to buy it since all Apple stores are shut.
If they really cared about sound quality they'd include a 3.5" jack. Alas, "courage".
A “minimalist” product would be making no case at all. This is an objectively bad case — you yourself admitted to it in this same thread. I love Apple too but sometimes they make mistakes.
I'd argue they didn't take aesthetics into too much consideration, I mean who looks at this bra/handbag creation and says to themselves, "Yep, people are gonna love this!" This isn't like the magic mouse 2 where they chose form over function this is just downright embarrassing. Looks ugly, provides minimal protection and its only seemingly function is to replace the off button.
To think this went through many people before it reached final production. Maybe not having Ivy around is making an impact.
Ivy without Jobs was a bit of a loose cannon and an insufferable narcissist to boot.
Problem is: who’s in charge of design after Ive was gone? Is there anybody at all?
There’s a bunch of communists around here who think companies exist to make goods for the people and that everyone has the right to have what they make, rather than maximise profit for the owners, ie the shareholders.