Apple users brand accessory their ‘worst buy this year’ and beg company to recall it $549 for something that’s being branded ‘useless’

Apple users brand accessory their ‘worst buy this year’ and beg company to recall it

$549 for something that’s being branded ‘useless’

Fans have been complaining about on Apple accessory that hasn’t been cutting it.

When Apple gets it right, it gets it right, but when Apple gets it wrong, boy it gets it wrong. Every company has the odd flop, and when it comes to Apple, the likes of the Macintosh TV, the U2 iPod, and even the iPhone 6 will all go down in history as missteps for the tech giant. Only recently, we’ve heard how Apple has slashed the production rates of the Vision Pro after a sluggish launch and accusations it’s too expensive.

The Vision Pro isn’t Apple’s only product that’s currently struggling in the wild, with some users calling one pricey accessory their ‘worst buy this year.’ AirPods have taken off massively since their launch in 2016, and although we’re still worried we’re going to lose one, the family dog is going to swallow them, or they’re potentially damaging our hearing, it’s hard to remember a time when AirPods weren’t a part of our daily lives.

Many think their AirPods Max are an expensive mistake (Apple)

The AirPod Pro line has taken off just like its older sibling, but for the AirPods Max, many have branded them as ‘useless’ and are begging for Apple to recall the product.

Coming in at $549, the AirPods Max are supposed to provide a ‘symphonic boom’, but instead, they’re looking like a ‘supersonic ‘bomb’.

The official Apple site says that AirPods Max should offer ‘stunningly detailed, high-fidelity audio for an unparalleled listening experience.’ However, with connectivity and lifespan issues, this doesn’t seem to be the case.

Tech reviewer Jenna Ezarik posted on X and gave her own scathing review where she wrote: “I love Apple but the AirPods Max are the worst things I’ve ever purchased 😂 New colors are nice though.”

She wasn’t alone in her grumbles, with others taking things further. Someone else added: “When AirPod pro 2 are less than 200$ on sale, have better features, and more portable, there’s literally zero reason to buy the max other than to flex on people.”

When AirPod pro 2 are less than 200$ on sale, have better features, and more portable, there’s literally zero reason to buy the max other than to flex on people.

A third chimed in: “Had some major connectivity issues sent em back cause I had Apple Care, same issue with the new pair, sent em back again, same issue now they just sit in my closet and I can’t sell them cause they won’t connect to sh*t.”

Calling for a recall, someone else concluded: “.@Apple you seriously need to recall these goddamn AirPods Max because they f**king suck. I’m on my second pair and they still don’t work. I’m not the only person complaining about this either. They literally never connect.”

All of these issues are before we even get to the fact some return their AirPods Max simply because they’re uncomfortable.

There’s bad news for those hoping that Apple will iron out the kinks for a Gen 2 refresh. According to the latest edition of Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter, Apple has no immediate plans to redesign the AirPods Max ‘in a meaningful way.’ This comes after a tiny switch from Lightning port to USB-C in September 2024, and by the sounds of it, that’s the AirPods Max we’re going to be stuck with.

Despite only being on the market for three years, the AirPods Max are in danger of being lost to the history books like the iPod Hi-Fi.

iPhone Alarm app divides users as some beg Apple to change it

iPhone Alarm app divides users as some beg Apple to change it

Not the wake-up call we were asking for

What gets you up most mornings and you can’t stand? Unless you live on a farm with a rooster, a huge number of you are likely woken up by your iPhoneApple is something of a demonic presence in the tech world because whoever is in charge of inventing the iPhone alarm sounds is something of a sadist. While it’s possible to set your favorite song as your morning alarm, most of us default to the PTSD-inducing Radar.

There’s nothing more embarrassing than when you set an afternoon reminder and Radar goes off in the middle of the office – triggering a series of angry looks and tutting from other iPhone owners.

Still, there’s no denying that the iPhone Alarm app does its job in waking us up. The question is, does it keep you awake?

Hitting the snooze button is a little too tempting (MTStock Studio / Getty)

Hitting the snooze button is a little too tempting (MTStock Studio / Getty)

Chances are you’re one of those who jumps straight out of bed at the first chime of your alarm, or you’re someone who loves to mash that snooze button to get an extra nine minutes while cozy in bed.

Some claim Apple has changed how your Alarm app works, customers are demanding a return to the old way of doing things.

There are questions about why the snooze button is above the stop button, with a big orange snooze being a little too tempting to press. Although this has spilled over to Reddit with the arrival of iOS 18, it’s been a problem for a while.

Although there were comments about how it’s worse to press ‘stop’ and go back to sleep than ‘snooze’ and wake up in nine minutes, it’s still a frustrating feature for many.

One tired technophobe wrote: “I think we are reading too much into this and defend it. It is a stupid design. There is no reading in between the lines. Idk why we feel to defend iOS so much. Some things it gets right. Some don’t.”

Another reminded us that Apple’s UI decisions are based on data that’s backed up, adding: “It kinda sucks there isn’t a middle ground here, and I’m sort of surprised they haven’t added an option to customise this like you can with watch faces or your lock screen.”

Someone else concluded: “It mimics an alarm clock in the real world. Alarm clocks have large, easy to hit snooze buttons because people like to be able to hit the snooze button easily so they can roll over back to bed. The stop button is smaller because you need to pay attention to hit it which means you actually have to get up to do it.”

It’s true that there’s method behind the madness of the Alarm app’s UI, and in the comments, some are pointing out that those complaining are showing their age and have likely never seen a real-life alarm clock that isn’t baked into a smartphone.

For those who don’t snooze and simply get up when their first alarm goes off, it’s not a problem.

Apple issue urgent warning to anyone who owns this charger as they recall product

Apple issue urgent warning to anyone who owns this charger as they recall product

The product is considered to be a fire risk

Rikki Loftus

Rikki Loftus

Apple has issued an urgent warning to anyone who owns this particular charger.

The tech giant has recalled the product after it was deemed to be a fire risk.

The popular power bank was being sold in the Apple Store and at other retailers but is now considered to be a safety hazard.

The product is being recalled (Belkin)

The product is being recalled (Belkin)

The charger itself is by Belkin and is the BoostCharge Pro Fast Wireless Charger for Apple Watch and Power Bank 10K which was released in May 2023.

The product costs $160 to buy and if you’re worried you might have a faulty one, the power bank features the model number BPD005.

The problem with the charger is that it overheats, putting it at risk of catching fire.

In a statement, Belkin said: “Place your BPD005 in a safe, dry location away from anything flammable or anything that can damage the power bank,’ Belkin shared in the announcement.

“Do not place your power bank into any trash or recycling bins.”

It went on to say: “If you have purchased the Belkin BoostCharge Pro Fast Wireless Charger for Apple Watch + Power Bank 10K, BPD005, it is important that you immediately stop using it, disconnect it from any power supply or other products, and contact us for further instructions.

“No injuries have been reported, and no other Belkin wireless chargers or any other Belkin products are affected by this recall.”

The product was sold at the Apple Store (CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

The product was sold at the Apple Store (CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

The accessory company went on to share that all customers who bought the product would be refunded.

This isn’t the first time that Belkin has had to issue a recall due to a fire risk.

Back in 2021, its Boost Charge Portable Wireless Charger + Stand Special Edition (WIZ003), was pulled from the shelves after a defect meant that it could cause a fire.

There were also shock hazards identified with the product.

At the time, it was being sold at the Apple Store but is no longer available to purchase.

Accessory maker Anker also recalled its MagGo Battery (PowerCore 10K), Power Bank and MagGo Power Bank after finding that the lithium-ion battery could overheat.

Anker said: “Although only a small number of batteries (a batch used in the products from January 3, 2024, to September 17, 2024) may be affected by this issue, out of an abundance of caution, we are reaching out to all customers to begin a Recall program.

“Immediately stop using this product. Do not throw the power bank into the trash or recycling bin. Please dispose of your device at a facility that accepts lithium batteries.”

Featured Image Credit: CFOTO/Future Publishing/Matt Molloy/Getty Images

Apple rumours claim budget-friendly 'AirPods Lite' could be coming to market later this year

Apple rumours claim budget-friendly ‘AirPods Lite’ could be coming to market later this year

Apple fans can expect them to cost around the $100 mark.

Rebekah Jordan

Rebekah Jordan

AirPods have become the new standard of portable listening.

As of Q3 2023, Apple accounted for 21% of the true wireless stereo (TWS) headset market.

However, their premium price tag puts them out of reach of many customers.

Fortunately, the tech giant is rumoured to launch a more budget-friendly alternative later this year, alongside the AirPods Max 2.

Supply chain analyst Jeff Pu referred to these entry-level earbuds as ‘AirPods Lite’ and said customers can expect to see them go for around $100, which is way under the tech company’s price benchmark.

NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty

NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty

More specifically, industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo projects Apple to price the mini gadgets at exactly $99, undercutting the current cheapest AirPods 2 model by $29.

According to Pu, AirPods Lite could launch as early as 2024 and be manufactured by Foxconn, one of Apple’s main contract manufacturers in India.

With AirPod sales to drop by 4% in 2024, totalling 55 million units, launching entry-level products like the Lite option will help the tech company to ‘ramp up’ sales in the fourth quarter of this year.

Apple fans can expect to see the products hitting shelved around this upcoming September or October, according to Pu, which is around the same time the launch of the iPhone 16 is expected.

Reports show that Apple is gearing up the shipping of 20-25 million pairs of new AirPods Lite.

Justin Lambert / Getty

Justin Lambert / Getty

Meanwhile, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has revealed that Apple is also planning to introduce AirPods 4 this year, two different models in fact.

The upcoming versions have been internally named B768(E) and B768(M), in which E stands for ‘entry’ and M stands for ‘mid-tier’.

Replacing the second and third generation AirPods, both AirPods 4 models are expected to offer a different design as well as a USB-C charging case.

However, only the higher-end option will support features like noise cancellation.

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