New Airpods New Gadget, New Airpods Generation 4 headphones Quiet Comfort Earbuds
New Airpods New Gadget, New Airpods Generation 4 headphones Quiet Comfort Earbuds
My iPhone was connected to my earbuds via a cable when I went for a run this morning. Even though I've been using wired headphones for years, the cord's incessant jittering was particularly bothersome today.
This is due to the fact that I had previously been using the GTW 270 Bluetooth earbuds from EPOS. I was given these as a present when they were released in 2021 for $200. Until last spring, when I began running outside for the first time in two years (at the gym or not at all), they were normally kept in a drawer. When I was running, corded headphones felt heavy since I had nowhere to put my phone. Because the GTW 270 were less pleasant than my corded earbuds and would disconnect (particularly from my PC) if the music paused for a time, I had previously disregarded them. When I used the earbuds with my phone, the latter issue was less frequent. Abruptly,
One of my early worries about wireless earbuds was addressed, however, after only a few months: I misplaced the GTW 270 case, which charges and pairs the earbuds.
When I discovered that EPOS does not sell independent charging cases, the bad news only grew worse. They were once sold by EPOS, but the company discontinued doing so three years after it entered the consumer technology market.
A brief period of entrepreneurship
The EPOS trademark was introduced by Danish healthcare audio technology company Diamont in 2020 through a closed joint venture with German audio business Sennheiser named Sennheiser Communications.
EPOS is "a company dedicated to creating high-end audio devices for gaming and enterprise solutions," according to a news release issued by Demant in July 2020. (sounds issues with music and other non-game sounds were present in the GTW 270's gaming concentration, but they were enough for my first wireless earphones that I used frequently for exercise.)
However, Demant said in August 2023 that it was "gradually winding down" its gaming business, with "the process expected to be completed during 2024." Søren Nilsson, president and CEO of Demant, clarified in a statement:
Our gaming business has been operating in an unpredictable market environment ever since our joint venture with Sennheiser Group was split up. The gaming industry has slowed considerably since the pandemic in 2020 caused an unprecedented demand because of poor consumer attitude, and we don't see any realistic way to turn a profit without making large investments in distribution, brand, and product.
EPOS pledged to "reduce existing product inventory while serving and supporting customers." Support and inventory have decreased after two years.
An Argument in Favour of More Accessible Earbud Covers
EPOS once offered replacement GTW 270 charging cases for sale on its online store in the United States, according to the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine. But that URL no longer works, and eBay, which has its share of tech scams, is currently the best location for me to get a replacement case.
According to an EPOS representative, "replacement charging cases for the GTW 270 are available, but regional supply may vary depending on local inventory and distribution." "In some markets, it remain available for shoppers to buy a replacement case separate.
It's also important to remember that EPOS has never offered replacement earbuds for sale separately. In the past, it suggested that customers use its ticket system to get a replacement at one of its repair facilities.
As is typical with gaming headphones, the GTW 270 was released four years ago with a two-year warranty. Even if EPOS continued to sell consumer headphones, my earbuds would no longer be covered under warranty. I could have tried getting in touch with customer service "for assistance with any replacement needs, including parts" if my earbuds were still covered under warranty, according to an EPOS representative.
I must be cautious not to acknowledge that I am only to blame for not having the original charging case (hey, just try to withstand a taxi zooming through the Holland Tunnel during NYC rush hour without any damage). However, I wouldn't have a pair of headphones that I can't use if technology manufacturers like EPOS adopted a more customer-centric strategy in their sales of both new and used goods.
It's not just EPOS that has made it challenging to swap out wireless earbud pieces. For instance, it is simple to purchase a pair of the newest AirPods from Apple's online shop, but replacement earbuds and cases are not available; for those in need, Apple advises contacting an Apple Authorised Service Provider. However, some of the new AirPod and AirPod Pro cases come with built-in speakers that allow you to use Apple's Find My app in the event that you misplace the case.
It would be prudent for wireless earbud manufacturers to increase the availability of replacement casings. Bose, for instance, offers replacement charging cases for a number of its earbuds, such as the QuietComfort Earbuds II from 2022.
Even better would be if I could connect and charge my earbuds without using a proprietary case. I would be able to use my functional earbuds, however this might mean larger earbuds and/or other parts.
One of the values that Calm Tech Institute incorporates into its certifications and instruction on human-centered gadget design is that a device should be able to "work even when it fails."
Amber Case, the founder of the Calm Tech Institute, proposed universal earbud charging cases as a possible remedy for issues similar to mine. Finding the correct pump for your car at a speciality petrol shop is similar to proprietary cases, she said. She continued by saying:
Numerous businesses have made a few blunders that have prevented them from achieving both customer loyalty and quarterly growth. Your totally functional earbuds turning into e-waste due to a missing component demonstrates how many businesses struggle to maintain manufacturing after specific dates and are unable to view the long term.
Case cited businesses such as Bosch that, in contrast, have employed lifetime customer support as a means of gaining a competitive edge and improving revenues through word-of-mouth advertising, higher prices, and customer retention. He went on to say:
Although they are highly solid, multifaceted, and don't try to do business with quarterly reports or go public, other family-run businesses can provide product support for years. They might not even garner media attention, yet these fads will eventually fade into obscurity.
Returning to the drawer
I questioned EPOS about how closing its gaming division after three years would affect the environment. According to a company representative:
We have made efforts to guarantee a responsible winddown and continue to support current clients as we move away from our gaming company. As long as it is technically and logistically feasible, we have always tried to reduce waste and maximise use.
The earbuds will probably wind up back in their lonely drawer while I weigh my few options, so it's not much comfort. I've been forced to rely on a juggling wire for audio while jogging for a while because a firm can't sustain a good product for long enough.
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