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Fairbuds are Fairphone’s proof that we really could make better tiny gadgets (arstechnica.com)

submitted 7 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

206 comments fedilink hide all child comments

But of course we all know that the big manufacturers don't do this not because they can't but because they don't want to. Planned obsolescence is still very much the name of the game, despite all the bullshit they spout about sustainability.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (2 children)

Get an USB c dongle and leave it on the cord then... I too wish we still had jacks, but that battle's lost, and attacking the only somewhat conscientious phone manufacturer for following trends set by bigger companies is myopic. They do what they must to compete, it's not like they're drowning in money.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Even USB-C dongles suck.

There are two types: ones that passes through the analog audio signal from the phone's internal DAC, and ones that have a built in DAC and pretty much acts as external USB sound card. You need to know which type your phone supports and which type it is you're buying.

If it's the type that has a built-in DAC (which I think is the most common but I might be wrong) they are fury-inducing absolute monstrous pains in the ass if there's the slightest glitch in the USB connection. Because it's like unplugging the audio device. Playback just stops for seemingly no reason and it doesn't resume once the connection is good again.

My solution is wired headphones plugged in to a small BT receiver I keep in my pocket. That way I get both an annoying cable and shitty audio quality lol.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I don't see why you'd buy the more expensive one with the DAC. If the quality from the jack was enough before, the quality from the USB must be as well, it's not like they removed the DAC from the SoC.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

Because some phones doesn't support passing through the analog signal.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 7 months ago

Who said I'm attacking anyone? I'm not saying "don't buy a Fairphone because it doesn't have a headphone jack," I'm saying phone manufacturers like Fairphone should include a headphone jack.

How is removing a headphone jack helping them compete? They cost well under $1 each on Amazon for 10, and much cheaper in bulk. The trickier part is waterproofing it, so they could just sell two models, one without the jack with a high waterproof rating, and one with the jack. All that would need to change is the case.