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mapinis t1_irbtg2s wrote

Reply to comment by NebXan in Apple’s New AirPods Are Telling Users to Replace the Batteries Already. Too Bad That’s Impossible by speckz

I get this argument for a phone, but for an in ear wireless headphone? No shit it's not easily replaceable, it's a lot of tech in a tiny compartment.

There's right to repair and then there's the realization thag no one wants earphones the size of headphones.

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other_usernames_gone t1_irc85nr wrote

I'm just spitballing but you could have the battery embedded within a plastic headless bolt, then you screw that bolt into the "arm" of the headphones. Have metal contacts like a lightbulb to connect it to the rest of the headphone.

Have a torx screw head exposed from the outside, now to replace the battery you unscrew this bolt to get the battery out and replace it with another battery in bolt unit.

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mapinis t1_irc8jqf wrote

Interesting idea, but I definitley don't want a screwdriver applying any sort of force to be anywhere near a lithium ion battery. That's how you get explosions.

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chris14020 t1_irdu7nm wrote

A lithium ion explosion the size of an airpod? Shall I fetch a tablespoon of sand just in case?

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Cindex9183 t1_irdigrb wrote

Lol, you just make it so the threads stop before it hits the end, with a flexible connector. Unless you turn so hard you strip it (which, dumb) it's fine!

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Mister_Brevity t1_iredfb2 wrote

Then sweat wicks in and you get corrosion or a short, not great with a lithium battery that goes partially in your head

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other_usernames_gone t1_iree6oz wrote

Put locktite or petroleum jelly in there, or a rubber seal. Then it's waterproof. Plus if the positive and negative terminals are far enough apart you'll never get a short between them.

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Mister_Brevity t1_ireedks wrote

Not against sweat, it’s corrosive and once it’s in there you have to worry about electrolysis. There is a reason it is not done. The battery is as isolated as possible against sweat intrusion because of this.

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DigitalStefan t1_irei27y wrote

Apple have a lot of engineering talent. There is not a single reason on this Earth why they couldn’t make the battery a replaceable part. Maybe not “every use can do this on their own” easy, but certainly “as long as the user has some basic tools for PC / tech repair work and the battery is a standard module available to order from Mouser or RS Components etc.” easy.

Which is why I have Sennheiser wireless headphones.

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FATJIZZUSONABIKE t1_irv0lnf wrote

They could make the batteries replaceable, even in airpods, they just choose not to.

How people still manage to find ways to defend Apple crooks when it comes to planned obsolescence is beyond me.

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