Apple is the first company that comes to mind when it comes to an ecosystem. The company has a wide range of products, including smartphones, headphones, and computers. Moreover, these products are constantly in communication with both hardware and software support, leading to the emergence of a seemingly perfect ecosystem. But is it really perfect? Not exactly…

Apple’s biggest problem is the divide between its use of USB-C and Lightning ports. Currently, MacBooks charge through USB-C, while AirPods and iPhones still use Lightning ports. This issue will eventually be resolved in the future, but for now it remains a problem in their current products. Fortunately, an engineer has taken the initiative to address this issue and has taken the first step towards finding a solution. Here are the details…

AirPods Pro get USB-C port in complex new mod

An engineer named Ken Pilonel, who previously made the world’s first USB-C iPhone by modifying an iPhone X, has succeeded again. Pilonel has successfully added a USB-C port to the first-generation AirPods Pro. The engineer recorded the entire process and uploaded it to YouTube. The process involved developing and printing a new circuit board with the USB-C connector and 3D printing a new AirPods case to accommodate the custom PCB.

The project involved plenty instances of trial and error, a whole new circuit board design and 3D printing. The necessary schematics are posted on GitHub so people with the right equipment can transform their AirPods with USB-C. Pilonel also plans to sell his self-developed PCB board for CHF 35 (€35/$38) and modified USB-C AirPods Pro for CHF 300 (€303/$326) from his personal website.

Still, it’s hard to predict how Apple will react to this. The company could take the case to court or simply ignore Pilonel as it already has to switch to USB-C by December 28, 2024.

RELATED:

• Upcoming Galaxy S24 Will Have a Better Chipset Compared to Apple A16 Bionic
• Apple Sets the Bar High with Upgraded Macs Every Year
• Apple Watch Ultra MicroLED Upgrade Pushed Back to 2025
• Under Screen Face ID Patent Granted by Apple; Next Generation of Dynamic Island
• Apple Pushed the Limits of Technology for the M2 Chips: Execs

(via)

The post The World’s First AirPods Pro with USB-C Didn’t Come From Apple (video) appeared first on Gizmochina.

Apple’s laptops, iPads, iPhones, and AirPods are charged via their lightning ports circuitry. They lack the globally acceptable USB ports which will enhance their versatility, it seems.

Designer Ken Pillonel is someone who is not comfortable with the absence of USB-C support for his beloved Apple products. He has continued to seek ways to incorporate USB-C support for Apple devices. Pillonel has now modified his AirPods to support USB-C charging and data transfer.

Pillonel is a master’s degree student in robotics at the Swiss Federal Institute. In 202, he designed the world’s first USB-C iPhone after engineering the feature into an iPhone and removing its lightning port. The USB-C port on the iPhone could be used for data transfers as well as charging the device. He has now replicated the feat in his AirPods. The USB-C AirPods are indistinguishable from the regular Apple AirPods except for the presence of USB-C charging.

The AirPods are pretty much smaller and involved a more careful decoupling by the inventor. Pillonel opened the plastic housing for the lightning port ribbon. He then replaced the lightning port with his USB-C ribbon. Pillonel has stressed that the process of replacing the lightning port is a complicated one. It is also an expensive task to make a custom USB-C ribbon. Now, Pillonel says that he uses the same USB-C cord to charge his MacBook, iPhone, and the AirPods.

There are speculations that Apple will transition to USB-C next year due to pressure from some quarters including the EU. Pillonel’s efforts have provided some illumination on that possibility, going forward. If indeed Apple ditches its proprietary lightning port for the USB-C, it will have to do adjustments to its AirPods as well.

RELATED:

• Vivo plans to open Apple like experience stores in India, Vivo Pad & laptops coming soon
• Apple to launch new AirPods & MagSafe chargers with USB-C ports: Kuo
• Apple’s iPod touch units are quickly getting sold out after discontinuation
• Apple may be building a Foldable iPhone, starts development of OLED panel without polarizer

(source)

The post World’s first USB-C AirPods showcased by guy who made the first USB-C iPhone appeared first on Gizmochina.