You probably couldn’t miss it: last year, a handyman had fun transforming his iPhone by removing the Lightning plug to replace it with a USB-C connection…. Practical and original, this invention was crowned with success since the -functional- prototype then sold for several tens of thousands of euros at auction.
The idea has since germinated, so much so that the robotics student behind this little feat has just struck again. This time, he tackled AirPods, the Apple brand’s wireless headphones currently available from 149 euros for their second generation. The result is stunning, again with the recharge par USB-C which is going great:
3D printed
As a bonus, Ken Pillonel has also revisited the AirPods charging case by remodeling it with dedicated software before printing it in three dimensions. But then, what fly stung him to get there? The engineer explains that Apple’s earbuds are actually difficult to repair yourself, no offense to the efforts in this area made by the company with his kits to heal his iPhone.
In France, the repairability note is not mandatory for wireless headphones. But iFixit confirms that the third generation AirPods are a real headache when it comes to replacing any component. For the specialized site, it is therefore a 0/10 point. Ditto for the two previous versions.
To test at home?
The 3D model of our creator of the day is already available online; you can find all the details for free at this address. Pillonel could then offer kits to reproduce the experience at home, but be careful. Indeed, we know thatApple doesn’t really appreciate this kind of manipulation so well that you could see your warranty blown if you attempt to do the same with your own pair of AirPods.
Anyway, the manufacturer could soon be forced by theEurope to switch to USB-C. The deputies have already voted the disappearance of Lightning on mobile, in addition the Mac and iPad already offer the universal socket for recharging.
Apple AirPods 2 with wireless charging