If you are looking for some new Mac apps, we have an awesome video from Stephen Robles that introduces us to 15 Mac apps worth trying. As a Mac user, the quest for enhancing productivity and streamlining your workflow is ongoing. Fortunately, the digital realm is replete with tools designed to optimize your efficiency, whether […]
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As the digital world eagerly anticipates the next big thing, Apple’s iOS 17.4 Release Candidate (RC) has emerged as a beacon of innovation and user-centric updates. Released to registered developers, with a public beta on the horizon, this update is not just another version but a significant leap forward for iOS device users. With an […]
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Ken Pillonel takes consumer satisfaction a little too seriously. Famous for hacking previous versions of the AirPods to give them USB-C ports and make them more repairable, Pillonel has now turned his sights to the AirPods Max (which hasn’t received an update in over 3 years, as he points out). The regular AirPods and even the iPhone have both made a concerted shift to USB-C, but Apple surprisingly forgot to upgrade their flagship headphones, leaving it in the lightning era.
No stranger to hacking (ahem, upgrading) Apple’s accessories, Pillonel decided to build a USB-C AirPod Max before Apple did. The video above takes us through the journey, showing how Pillonel disassembled the existing AirPods Max, designed a new PCB with a USB-C port, and mounted it (with relative ease) in the headphones, giving them the upgrade they severely needed. The best part, Pillonel even sells his PCBs on his own website, encouraging other people to hack their AirPods Max too and upgrade them to USB-C.
Designer: Ken Pillonel
The AirPods Max debuted in December 2020, which means they’re one of the only mainstream Apple products to not have received a major upgrade in years (they were announced even before the AirTag). Realizing that now was a better time than ever, Pillonel decided to take his AirPods Max for a spin, cracking them open to see the assembly inside and whether it would be easy to upgrade it. Luckily, the lightning port was relatively easy to upgrade without any invasive procedures to the headphone’s body itself. Apple designed the port with a removable metal lip that allowed it to magically become wider (it’s almost as if Apple was preparing for this transition in advance), and knocking the lip out made the hole perfectly sized for a USB-C port.
Pillonel simply unplugged the lightning connector from the existing motherboard and designed a new one that housed the USB-C port. He shared the new PCB design on PCBWay, and had the circuit boards sent to him. An older iteration featured a single-piece PCB that worked, but was susceptible to wear and tear, so Ken redesigned the PCB with a flexible ribbon cable, allowing it to bend without applying pressure on certain parts. The new PCB is available in Pillonel’s shop for 39.9 CHF ($45.3 USD).
The older PCB was prone to wear and tear if used roughly
A flexible ribbon cable on the new PCB made it much more resistant to regular daily usage
The upgraded AirPods Max (Pillonel calls it the AirPods Max 2.0) only has the one design upgrade, although knowing Pillonel, he’ll soon make the entire thing repairable and probably even figure out how to replace batteries on them. You can visit his YouTube channel here, or read our coverage on his other interesting projects here.
The post Apple AirPods Max get a USB-C port thanks to this clever engineering hack first appeared on Yanko Design.
If like me you are wondering whether your iPhone will run the new iOS 18 software when it lands later this year, there is some good news as we have some details on the models of iPhone that are expected to support and run this year’s major new iOS release. When Apple releases a major […]
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In an era where our smartphones feel like extensions of ourselves, ensuring they last through our busiest days is a must. For iPhone users, the quest for longer battery life is ongoing, but thankfully, there are innovative shortcuts and automations that can significantly extend your device’s battery life. If you’re keen on making the most […]
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As technology enthusiasts eagerly await the final public release of iOS 17.4, Apple has rolled out its Release Candidate (RC) version to both registered developers and public beta testers. This update, tipping the scales at a hefty 6.46 GB, is not just a routine software enhancement but a significant leap forward, indicating that the version […]
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The choice to perform a factory reset on an iPhone is driven by multiple motivations, ranging from the intent to sell the device, addressing ongoing operational problems, to a wish for a clean slate. Undertaking a factory reset is a significant action that purges all personal information, configurations, and stored content, effectively returning the device […]
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For the past decade, Apple Inc. has been working on a secret project of the Apple Car, dedicating extensive resources and manpower to the development of its much-anticipated Apple Car project. This endeavor, as detailed in a comprehensive report by Bloomberg, represented a significant investment for Apple, both in terms of capital and intellectual engagement, […]
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Apple has now released iOS 17.4 Release Candidate and iPadOS 17.4 Release Candidate and now we have a video from Zollotech that gives us more details on what Apple has included in these new betas. This version, which is likely the last stop before the official public release, promises to enhance the iPhone experience significantly, […]
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In the realm of cutting-edge technology, the Apple Vision Pro has captured the attention of enthusiasts and skeptics alike. This mixed reality headset, with its sleek design and advanced features, poses an intriguing question: How repairable is it? If you’re someone who likes to get under the hood of your gadgets, this exploration might shed […]
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