Ken Pillonel is the engineer who created the world’s first USB-C iPhone a number of months in the past, promoting the system for 1000’s of {dollars} on eBay. He’s now again with the same challenge for AirPods. His new system hack achieves greater than including a USB-C port to Apple’s standard wi-fi earphones. It really lets customers exchange the dying batteries contained in the circumstances of their AirPods.
The better part is that anybody can take aside their AirPods case and use Pillonel’s recordsdata to exchange the battery and the Lightning port.
Adding USB-C to AirPods just isn’t not possible
As you’ll see in Pillonel’s new video, including USB-C connectivity to AirPods just isn’t not possible. It’s not simple both, because it took the Swiss engineer loads of time to design a brand new housing for the charging case and uncover how one can exchange the Lightning port with USB-C.
As the modder explains, the issue with the AirPods and every other kind of wi-fi earphones is that they’re meant to be disposable after the battery dies. Apple received’t exchange the AirPods battery, because it’s cheaper to simply exchange the entire thing. That’s not nice for the atmosphere, nonetheless. And that’s what Pillonel got down to do.
Replacing the battery on the AirPods is futile until you will have a 3D printer and his schematics. That’s as a result of the AirPods case isn’t meant to be taken aside. Presumably, that’s what makes battery replacements not possible.
Only after figuring a method to construct one other case for the AirPods did the modder begin work on changing the Lightning connector with a USB-C port. This was an equally difficult job. Pillonel needed to create a {custom} PCB board that will enable him to exchange the Lightning connector.
Then he needed to have that PCB custom-made and shipped to him. Finally, the engineer used Apple’s personal tech to safe in place the connector contained in the AirPods case. In the top, all he needed to do was snap within the 3D-printed AirPods case.
Why you shouldn’t do it
No matter how nice the AirPods USB-C engineering trick is perhaps, it’s best to take into account not doing it. For starters, you want some specialised tools for a number of the steps within the battery and Lightning port alternative. At the very least, you’ll want entry to a 3D printer to fabricate your new case after you destroy the unique.
The greatest cause to not make your individual {custom} AirPods USB-C case proper now’s that Apple will quickly transfer to USB-C. The European Union has compelled Apple to undertake USB-C for wired battery charging. That means future iPhones and AirPods will get the brand new commonplace connector.
For the iPhone, it’d begin solely subsequent 12 months. But the AirPods Pro 2 which are coming this fall ought to characteristic a USB-C connector. It’s very probably the subsequent AirPods case may even include a USB-C port.
That means you shouldn’t hurry to restore your current AirPods simply but. But when you do get your arms on the primary Apple-made AirPods with a USB-C case, you’ll be able to take into account changing the battery your self after a few years of use.
Pillonel’s schematics may come in useful, as you’ll most likely want to interrupt aside the unique case to get to the battery.
The following video comprises all of the assets you may want to exchange the AirPods battery. And add the USB-C connector for those who should.
Source: bgr.com