Being Human
Related Articles
The addition of the Airpods to the Apple product line in 2016 was a huge milestone. It had far-reaching implications for the tech world.
The popularity of wireless earphones has ultimately led to the demise of the 3.5 mm audio jack on both high-end and mid-range devices.
There have been four iterations of Airpods since their 2016 launch, each being better than the last. Airpods connect seamlessly with iPhones, Macs, and iPads. One of the issues that Apple has tried to address with their Airpods in every generation is their range.
The connectivity is normally with these products reliable. The issue arises when there is a notable physical distance between the Airpods and your Apple device.
So, How Far Do Airpods Reach?
Airpods have a maximum connectivity distance of 40 meters. Beyond the 40-meter point, the Airpods lose connectivity with your device.
Connectivity is maintained via Bluetooth. Note that the maximum range may vary depending on your generation of Airpods. 40-meters is the maximum range that applies to the latest 3rd Gen Airpods.
How To Pair Your AirPods
Before you can use your Airpods, you must first pair them to your device. Airpods use Bluetooth to connect to your device.
All Apple devices come with Bluetooth functionality. The version of Bluetooth differs depending on your type of device and the generation of the device.
Currently, the latest versions of Apple devices come with Bluetooth version 5.2. Let us take a look at how you can quickly pair your Airpods and start listening to audio and video files on your device.
Step 1: Ensure that your iPhone and your air pods are close to each other.
Step 2: Pop open your case with the AirPods inside. It will trigger a pop-up notification showing the Airpods on your screen.
Step 3: Tap the connect option.
Step 4: set up Siri by following the instructions on the screen.
Note that step 4 is only applicable if you have not set up Siri on your device. Siri is a voice-activated virtual assistant built into Apple devices. If you have set up Siri, your Airpods will be able to use the voice assistant.
The latest Airpods can be used on Android devices. You would need to connect them via Bluetooth.
You need to:
- Open Bluetooth settings on your Android phone.
- Turn Bluetooth on.
- Click and hold the set-up button on your case.
- Check under available devices.
- Tap the Airpods to pair and connect.
Battery Life Of Your Airpods
The battery life of your Airpods will vary based on the extent of usage and the age of the Airpods. At the beginning of their life cycle, the 3rd generation of Airpods typically lasts six and a half hours on a single charge.
Like with most devices, this will gradually reduce throughout its usage as its battery gets older.
There is no shortage of charging options with the Airpods. Apple has developed Qi wireless charging to be compatible with these devices.
You can opt for wired charging using the lightning cable option. The biggest upgrade to charging with the gen 3 version is that you can now use MagSafe to charge your Airpods
The case of the gen 3 Airpods holds up to 30 hours of battery life. It is convenient, as it enables you to repeatedly charge your Airpods without the need to plug them into an external power source.
What are the implications of using Airpods on the battery life of your iPhone? The iPhone 13 uses the latest A15 chip, which is optimized for improved battery performance.
It enables your phone to send Bluetooth waves to your phone in a manner that lessens battery drain.
You should, however, note that ultimately using Airpods drains your battery faster than using lightning to 3.5mm audio jack extension.
Troubleshooting
Airpods are very easy to use. Their biggest advantage over most wireless headsets is the ease with which they connect to your Apple devices.
You will rarely have any issues in terms of connectivity, but it is good to know how to fix them for when you do. Here is a quick guide on how to troubleshoot your Airpods.
Step 1: Ensure that you are running a supported version of IOS
You should ensure that the device you are trying to connect to is running at least an IOS 10. Any version of IOS older than that is not going to be supported.
You can update your devices to the latest version of IOS as long as Apple still supports them.
Step 2: Ensure that the case and device are closed when attempting to connect.
If the case and device are far apart, you will not be able to pair the Airpods. The closer case is to the device, the faster and more seamless the connectivity.
Step 3: Ensure both earpieces are charging.
Both earpieces must be charging; otherwise, they will fail to pair to your device.
Step 4: Bluetooth connectivity
When attempting to pair the Airpods to your device, you must ensure that Bluetooth is turned on. Note that you cannot connect your Airpods if your device is in Airplane mode. You might also run into trouble connecting your Airpods if your device is connected to multiple other Bluetooth devices.
Step 5: Performing a reset
If steps 1 through to 4 fail, you will have to reset your Airpods. To reset your Airpods:
- Open your charging case
- Go Bluetooth on your Apple device
- Open Bluetooth to see the list of available devices
- Tap the ‘Forget This Device’ option
- Press and hold the button on your case. Do this for 15 seconds.
- Try reconnecting your device.
You should consider replacing the batteries of your Airpods if they turn off before or soon after the pairing process.
How To Clean Your AirPods
Airpods will eventually get dirty, and you will need to clean them. Dirty tips attract bacteria, and this could lead to ear infections.
The sight of wax on the tips is simply appalling. You can’t immerse them in water and scrub away at the grime. Let us look at how to clean Airpods.
- Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth. It will get rid of the light oily stains and dust.
- Use a cotton swab to clean the miniature speaker grill.
- To get rid of the grime in the speaker grill, immerse a cotton swab in 96% isopropyl alcohol and gently rub it against the grills. Ensure that no liquid enters the grills, as this damages the electronic components.
- Wipe the exterior of the case with a damp cloth.
- Use a low-power air compressor to blow dust out of the interior of the case.
Routinely cleaning your Airpods could go a long way in ensuring that you avoid infections due to the tips getting dirty. Grime and dirt in the speaker grill impact the audio quality of the Airpods.
Do not let water into the case, as this will damage it. Water, in this case, is also an electrical fire hazard.
What Makes AirPods So Good?
For those of us in the Apple ecosystem, the experience of using Airpods is simply incomparable. No other set of wireless earphones offers IOS users the same level of seamlessness and connectivity.
Airpods also offer an incredible audio experience. With the 3rd Gen Airpods pro, you are getting spatial audio.
Apple has since updated iTunes so that its users can immerse themselves in the spatial audio listening experience.
The devices mimics surround sound better than most wireless audio devices. There is a great balance of bass to the Airpods.
Airpods have also come a long way in terms of comfort. The 1st generation Airpods were large and uncomfortable.
The design at Apple has since reduced the size and made them more comfortable. The 3rd gen Airpods are also notably lighter.
Airpods are covered by Apple’s personalized warranty, under AppleCare+
Battery life is also better with the Airpods. Six hours of continuous use is more than what many wireless earbuds can offer today.
Cons of using Airpods
Ultimately the greatest con of Airpods lies in its price. In comparison to other wireless earbuds, the Airpods are quite expensive.
Conclusion
Airpods are wireless earphones that offer seamless connectivity with apple products. These devices work well with iPhones, iPods, MacBooks, and iMacs.
They offer great audio quality. Unlike traditional earphones, they suffer the limitation of limited battery life.
The latest 3rd generation of Airpods connects to your device over a maximum distance of 40 meters. They are ideal as they eliminate the need to carry your device over short distances constantly. It also unburdens the user from the frustration of untangling their earphones from a mess of wires.
