Apple’s AirPods are beloved all over the world. Many people find yourself shedding one or each of those wired earphones. While AirPods are nice, many people need wired earphones, and Apple hasn’t made new EarPods in a very long time. Well, no worries! Hardware prototyping guide Ken Pillonel has transformed AirPods into probably the most superior EarPods there are.
Pillonel has added wires and a USB-C connector to AirPods, changing them into EarPods. AirPods are infamous for having horrible repairability, and being simple to lose. Pillonel is legendary for modding Apple merchandise, and his newest undertaking appears to a different that many people would really respect.
Ken Pillonel has beforehand made a USB-C iPhone (opens in new tab), which bought for $86,000, adopted by USB-C AirPods (opens in new tab) and AirPods Pro. However, these AirPods solely had the port on the charging case itself. This new undertaking brings the USB-C connector to the precise AirPods, including wires to the very best wi-fi earphones you may get.
Pillonel says that he did this as a result of the batteries on his AirPods had gone bust, and he ended up damaging one of many AirPods whereas tying to interchange the batteries. He transformed them into wired earphones as a commentary on the extensively criticized repairability of the AirPods. iFixit has given each the AirPods and AirPods Pro a 0/10 repairability ranking.
Pillonel has beforehand advised iMore about these initiatives being an try to reduce e-waste, and this appears to be one other one in that course. Although wired earphones are arguably the higher alternative, wi-fi earphones promise comfort. However, the latter have been regular contributors to e-waste as a result of decreased longevity and repairability, which is an issue many people suppose Apple ought to take note of.
Regardless, these wired AirPods do make you wonder if Apple ought to revive its good previous EarPods, with a protracted overdue replace.