AirPods problems? Apple offering free replacements for faulty earbuds
When it comes to the headphones you use with your smartphone, you have a ton of options. There are wired or wireless options, and some offer more bass and better sound quality for music fanatics while others focus on crystal-clear call quality instead.
There are plenty of solid headphones to choose from, but most iPhone fans overlook Samsung or Bose options and splurge on Apple AirPods or AirPods Pros instead. The wireless earbuds are a huge draw for Apple fans because they’re lightweight, easy to use and integrate seamlessly with iOS products. AirPods even have a few tricks up their sleeves — tap or click here to find out what they are.
Apple AirPods are now the most popular wireless earbuds on the market — despite the high price tag. But while original AirPods are known for reliability and solid sound quality, a few issues have surfaced with AirPods Pro since their launch in 2019. If you’re an AirPods Pro owner who’s been having problems with your headphones, Apple may replace them for you for free. Here’s why.
Apple might just replace your AirPods for free
Have you heard crackling, static, or other annoying sound issues while wearing your AirPods Pro recently? Well, you may be eligible for a new pair.
According to Apple, some AirPods Pro headphones are experiencing sound issues due to the noise-cancellation feature not working as it should. These problems are marked by crackling or static that increases in loud environments, while you’re exercising or while you’re talking on the phone.
No crackling? The issue could also surface due to Active Noise Cancellation not working as expected with your AirPods Pro. This problem can cause a loss of bass sound or an increase in background noises, such as street or airplane sounds.
The AirPods Pros that are causing issues were manufactured before Oct. 2020, according to Apple. So, if you’re hearing constant crackling and static, or you’re having issues with sound quality when you’re in loud places — and you bought your AirPods Pro headphones prior to October 2020 — you may be eligible for a replacement pair.
This isn’t the first we’ve heard about sound issues with AirPods Pros. Complaints about static and crackling have been prevalent since these upgraded AirPods hit the shelves.
Troubleshooting Apple AirPods Pro sound issues
The issue was also noted by Apple back in May. The tech giant initially added support documents on its website to help with troubleshooting advice and offered to replace the faulty units that were still under warranty.
Here are troubleshooting steps suggested by Apple:
Amazon Echo 2020 comparison chart
Are you looking to upgrade your current Echo smart speaker, or make the jump to other Alexa-enabled devices? Here’s the current list of Echo devices available now.
*Zigbee is a wireless protocol that allows Amazon Echo devices to communicate with otherwise incompatible smart home tech.
Poll: 1 in 3 Americans plan to buy the iPhone 12 - What you should know first
Are you pre-ordering the iPhone 12? Apple’s latest phone just went live for Americans to purchase, and Apple fans across the country are scrambling to get theirs before supplies run out.
Based on enthusiasm, we’d say this might happen pretty soon. According to a survey conducted by Wallethub, one in three Americans plan on buying the new iPhone this year — in spite of economic setbacks and COVID-19! Tap or click here to see everything we know about the iPhone 12.
Here's how much it costs to fix a broken iPhone 12 (Hint: It's a lot!)
The iPhone 12 is finally here — and it’s jam-packed with features that make last year’s iPhone 11 look downright old-fashioned. It’s faster than ever, takes better photos and comes with new ceramic shield glass on its screen to protect it from falls.
New research: COVID can live on your phone for 28 days – How to properly disinfect yours
Can you believe we’ve been dealing with coronavirus for nearly seven months already? It’s true. The World Health Organization declared it a pandemic all the way back in March and things haven’t been the same since.
Thankfully there have been plenty of breakthroughs in technology since then that have made it easier to navigate life. Google Maps even added a hotspot tracker so you know if it’s safe to visit places you’re thinking about traveling to. Tap or click to see how it works.
Your passwords are exposed - here's what to do about it
Pop quiz: How many passwords do you use online? It’s probably more than you can remember right away, and most of the world is right there with you. According to a report from cybersecurity firm Digital Shadows, the average person uses 191 services that require passwords — and more than 15 billion stolen credentials are in circulation. That’s a 300% increase since 2018!
The biggest privacy feature coming to your iPhone is delayed - here's why
Now that fall is right around the corner, Apple fans have a lot to look forward to. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, a new iPhone is still on the way — as well as a plethora of new features and software updates in iOS 14, Apple’s upcoming release.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically reshaped the job market, and the changes we see may last for years to come. Millions of Americans are still jobless compared to pre-pandemic levels, and many of the jobs that existed before March of this year won’t be coming back
Amazon security settings you must change: Order history, searches, recordings
There’s no question Amazon dominates the online shopping world. But you might not like just how much the tech giant knows about you. If you want to get the most out of Amazon without sacrificing your privacy, it’s time to optimize your profile settings so the company (and advertisers) know as little about you as possible. These five critical security settings will give Amazon access to just the bare necessities of your personal data.
One lie security experts use all the time and you should, too
We are constantly hearing new and revised advice on managing online accounts, but sometimes we have to deal with more than just passwords when it comes to security. Some sites also require answers to a series of security questions that can later be used to verify your account or recover a lost password. Tap or click here to create better passwords.
Ready to hire? Find great candidates the way Kim does
Every small business has its own unique needs. And, despite the uncertainty of the world right now, one thing that remains unchanged is the importance of having the right people on your team.
Some business owners turn to free job boards or sites like Craigslist. That’s a big mistake. You never know what you’re getting from sites like that. They simply don’t have the tools or screening systems in place to find quality employees, and you’ll never get back the time you waste doing that work yourself.
The serious privacy risk of coronavirus tracing apps
Contact tracing is said to be one of the most useful steps a population can take to slow the spread of COVID-19. The process is straightforward: Individuals who are infected report their confirmed case to health officials along with contact information of the people they may have exposed themselves to. This helps isolate outbreaks before they can grow.
Billions of passwords for sale on the Dark Web - this one was used 7 million times
How tough are your passwords? Despite what you may think, the best password practices from 10 years ago won’t cut it today. If you share passwords across different websites, for example, it’s time to get busy changing them for the sake of your security.
Small-biz essential: How to pick the best VPN
Blocking threats online feels like a neverending game of whack-a-mole. That’s why it’s important to take safety precautions before it’s too late and a criminal already has compromised your system. The best way to protect yourself is with a virtual private network.
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With so many software options available for your computer, it can be tough to wade through the programs to decide what the needs, wants, and wastes are — especially when it comes to programs that you have to pay for.
4 critical features to look for in a home protection service
Even though some coronavirus restrictions are starting to be lifted across the U.S., many Americans are committed to staying home. At least until they feel safe going out in public.
While you’re still at home, the last thing you need is the added stress of worrying about burglars trying to break into your home. That’s why it’s important to have home security from a company you can trust.
Home-based jobs, sanitize your phone, COVID conspiracies and more: Tech Q&A
Each week, I receive tons of questions from my listeners about tech concerns, new products, and all things digital.
Sometimes, choosing the most interesting questions to highlight is the best part of my job. This week, I received questions about the new iPhone, keeping gadgets clean, detecting viruses, and more.
10 COVID-19 scams spreading right now that people are falling for
The numbers are staggering. The Federal Trade Commission says coronavirus-related scams have cost Americans $13.4 million so far this year. Google blocks more than 100 million phishing emails every day as criminals try to steal money and personal information. About 18 million of them are coronavirus-related.