Ken Pillonel has created some fascinating units with the world’s first iPhone with a USB-C port and the primary Android cellphone with a Lightning connector. But now Pillonel is making use of his experience to a barely completely different class of system with the world’s first USB-C AirPods.
In a brand new video, Pillonel describes his newest system as a solution to fight the frustration of needing a number of varieties of cables to cost Apple units. And after taking a pair of inventory AirPods, he was in a position to efficiently change out Apple’s proprietary Lighting Connector for a USB-C port, permitting him to cost the case and earbuds with the identical plug you’d use for an iPad Pro or MacBook.
When requested in regards to the inspiration for his newest gadget hack, Pillonel instructed Engadget that his reasoning was fairly easy. He mentioned “What Apple products do I use every day, and which ones are still stuck with a Lightning port?” However, switching out the jack on an Apple system isn’t simple, with Pillonel saying it was truly harder to create a working AirPods case with USB-C than it was so as to add a Lightning connector to an Android cellphone. He mentioned “It was harder because I set high standards for how the finished product needed to look.”
Another problem was determining a manner for others to copy his success on their very own units, with Pillonel planning on making your entire undertaking open supply within the close to future. “I made it so that [the port] is a brand-new replacement part for the AirPods. You just unplug the old Lightning connector, and you plug in the new USB-C circuit,” he mentioned.
But ultimately, it appears the troubles had been definitely worth the effort, with Pillonel saying “It is so satisfying to be able to use only one cable and one charger for all my Apple devices. It really is how it should be.” And in a manner, that’s type of the dream: Having one cable that may recharge or ship knowledge to any system, no matter what sort of gadget it’s or who made it.
This situation is one thing the tech trade and governments internationally have been grappling with for some time. However, because of a proposal final 12 months from the EU, it appears Europe could also be getting nearer to creating the dream a actuality. And his personal manner, Pillonel is making an attempt to indicate the advantages of what having a really common port may seem like in the actual world, saying “I believe that the iPhone will be the turning point in the switch to USB-C. If the next iPhone makes the switch, then we can expect all the other accessories to gradually lose the Lightning connector.”
However, one query that is still for Pillonel is, after efficiently including working USB-C ports to the few remaining Apple units nonetheless reliant on a Lightning connector, what’s subsequent on the docket? He famous that as a result of all iPads (except for the usual 10.2-inch mannequin) have already made the change to USB-C, it’s probably not price his time to deal with considered one of Apple’s tablets. He mentioned “I might do a few other USB-C projects, but there is definitely a long list of other modifications I want to attempt!”
In the meantime, for these on the lookout for extra data on the best way to add USB-C to their very own AirPods, keep tuned to Pillonel’s YouTube channel for an extended, extra in-depth video coming quickly.