New Ear Buds - Beats Studio Buds +

I bought a new set of ear buds this week.  I bought the Beats Studio Buds +.

It's technical specs are here.

I'm still using my set of AirPod Pros (v1) and while they've not presented any issues that warrant immediate replacement, I got the Studio Buds for 30% off the normal price.  I basically bought these because they were on sale.

A few things I noticed right off the bat:

• The charing pod uses USB-C, which I LOVE!  I've quite a few Lightning cables but USB-C is always better, IMO.
• These come with an assortment of gel inserts, which allows a good bud-to-ear fitment.  I always hated the fact that I've to buy 3rd party solutions to get the AirPod Pros to work with my particular ear.  I don't have to worry about such things with the Studio Buds.
• The Studio Buds have a larger charging case (it's more rounded than the AirPod case).
• I love the way the buds "snick" into the case - each bud has a magnet (or each space within the case has a magnet - dunno which...there's some magnetics going on, for sure, though).
• Pairing button is inside lid of the case.

I listened to both sets of buds back-to-back and both are on-par with each other as far as audio quality is concerned.  Both have great noise cancelling functionality, as well.

There's hardly anything to dislike.  

The only real gripe I have is that the case is larger (it has a larger footprint than the AirPods Pro case).  The case is slicker as well, but it could be due to my choice of cases...I've the clear case and buds, which has an unfinished feel.  The case looks really cool, though.

Another slight gripe would be that the form factor is small.  Small is good, unless you've big hands and fingers.  They're a bit more difficult to use when pressing the buttons on the buds.  It also means that you can't use the same accessories that you'd use with the AirPod Pros, such as the gel sports tethers.

Also, I don't know which bud belongs in which ear, either, but also not sure if it matters.  

These are trivial gripes, though.

UPDATE (6/1/2024): looking closely, I can see that each bud is labeled "R" or "L" on the bottom.  Since I've the clear case, it is very difficult to see the labeling but I'll include a pic below:

I'll provide updates throughout the year.

UPDATE (7/28/2024):

Although I love these buds (I use them more than I do my 1st Gen AirPods Pro), they don't stay in my ears all that well.  They stay in better than my AirPods in their stock configuration, although the Comply cushions make the AirPods stay in my ear.

As well, my right ear has a wider canal that appears to be between sizes.  I've tried all the different size OEM cushions but none of them work well in my right ear.

I checked to see if Comply has cushions for the Beats Studio buds and they do, so I ordered an assorted set.  I also ordered a set of LUDOS cushions - if those turn out to not work, I'm going to try to refund them (if I can't, there's not much of a loss, as they're not expensive).

Beats Studio Pro - Update

Ok, so I've owned and used the Beats Studio Pro headset for a bit. (Two weeks, I believe.)

One annoying thing is that I tend to lose BT connectivity when using the headset with my iPad.  It happens when it's connected to my Dell laptop too, but it happens very frequently with my iPad.  Usuaully it happens when watching a video.  When it happens, it sometimes reconnects on it's own, but sometimes does not, which requires me to manually connect again.

Another thing is, I'm so used to the Airpods' hand-off to other Apple devices (iPad, MBA, iPhone)...it's seamless.  Sadly, that's not how it works with this headset and Apple devices - Apple has purposely hamstrung the headset so that it won't compete with Apple's headset.  Yes, Apple owns both technologies, but they've made the Beats the lesser product.

Noise cancellation works OK, but it's not as good as the Apple products.

Generally, I'm happy with the headset.  I've also purchased AC+ for it, just in case I keep having the BT disconnects.  I'm also not sure how durable they are in the long term and AC+ was like $30, which isn't bad, considering the cost of the headset.

A charge lasts ALL day and night, even with ANC enabled (you get more duration with ANC disabled, though).  You can also use them when they're charging.  You can also use an audio cable with them.  I've also been using them to sleep (I sleep on my back), although I usually take them off after a few hours.

I haven't used my SkullCandy Venue headset since I bought the Studio Pro headset.  I'm probably not going back.  I'll more than likely put them in an electronics recycle bin.

I'll continue to keep you all up to date on the Beats experience.

Beats Studio Pros

When the COVID19 pandemic hit, our offices shut down.  Our company gave us some funds to purchase equipment for working at home.  I'd bought an extra monitor and a set of noise cancelling headphones.

I bought the Skullcandy Venue wireless headset.  The headset was $130-$140...cheap for a noise-cancelling headset but I've been using it without issue since then.  It is now January of 2024 and that headset is limping along - it sometimes requires a full reset, as it gets into a condition where it will not accept connections.  The ear cushions are ragged and peeling.  The head band (the portion that sits on top of your head) cushioning cover ripped and was spilling it's innards, so I wrapped the whole thing with black electrical tape.

This is my work headset and I've grown used to it.  I though I'd buy another but they're no longer being sold or supported by Skullcandy.

My next step was to look into what best-equivalent to the Venue headset was available from Skullcandy.  Sadly, the next equivalent costs double the price ($220-ish).

I then looked at Apple's Beats Studio Pro.  While expensive on Apple's website, at $349, I saw that both Best Buy and Amazon were selling them with a mark down of 49%.  I decided to buy them from Apple's Amazon store.  I bought the headset in the Sandstone color for $179.  I'm also considering AppleCare+ for it.

I used it for 24 hours.  Some things to consider:

While it has ANC, it doesn't work as well as the AirPod Pro's ANC (either the old or new versions of those ear buds).  It works better than my Skullcandy Venue does, though.

One thing I always liked about the Venue was that it allows pairing to two sources.  Also, it has a Tile embedded into it.

The Beats Studio Pros aren't going to be on-par with Apple's headsets...they purposely neuter Beats headsets and ear buds so that they don't compete with Apple-branded products.

Still, these are good for work and I'm thinking they'll make for a good replacement for my aging and ailing Venue headset.  Plus, I got them for half the price, new.

I'll keep you apprised of my experiences with the Beats headset.

Apple Certified Refurbished Products Site

For those of you that want certified refurbished Mac hardware, the following is Apple's site for refurb items:  Certified Refurbished Products - Apple

I've been thinking of replacing my iMac with a Mac Studio (which would require me to find another display or use some type of monitor switch). 

I've also been thinking of a higher end Macbook.  MBPs are expensive and I want a decent amount of drive space (natively), so a decently spec'd MBP is going to run probably $1700, even refurbished, so I probably won't go that route.  Another option is to buy the latest M-variant of the MBA, with 1TB of drive space, which is doable.

I'm not sure which I want yet, but once I do, it will be bought from the Apple refurb site.

Comply Premium Earphone Tips & Spigen Ultra Hybrid MagFit Case

I posted about buying Airpod Pros earlier in the year.

One thing I absolutely hate about them (and all AirPods) is the fact that they won't stay in my ear.  I shouldn't have to spend this amount of money for ear buds that won't stay put.

Now, I'll say right now that my ear canals are hairy.  I'm not a hairy guy by any means.  It took me YEARS to grow a fully fleshed-out mustache and I can't grow a full beard (I have no problem growning a goatee).  My legs aren't extremely hairy, nor are my arms or chest (or armpits).  My ear has a good amount of hair growing from the ear canals, though.

At first, I tried clipping my ear hairs, and it works, but it's a bit tedious and I don't like the barbed feeling of the ends poking into me when I insert the Airpods.

I was close to selling them and getting a pair of Beats instead, as I heard they're much better at staying in place.

I was reading the MacRumors forums this week and saw that someone mentioned that they used a product called Comply premium earphone tips.  I ordered a set two days ago.

They arrived today and while sitting on my patio drinking a beer, I tried them.

OMFG.  They work. They work very well.

I'm using the medium set (these came in a set of three, sized small, medium, and large).

I also bought a magnetic ear buds tether, as well, but I think I was overly redundant.  Honestly, I wouldn't have known these would work, because I've tried at least 5 other sets of ear bud tips - only the sixth set worked.

It's time to wear out these AirPods!

Note:  I also bought a Spigen Ultra Hybrid Mag (MagFit) clear case.  I want to get a MagSafe battery, but at $99, maybe I'll put it on my Christmas list.  

New M1 user? Get the correct version of Chrome!

 Just so you know:

If you just got a new M1 Mac, make sure you’re using the right version of Google Chrome.

If you're wondering if you've the correct one, you can check the following:

• Open Chrome browser after it has installed, Go to the three vertical dots and click them.
• Select Help.
• Select About Chrome.  
• You should see "arm64", which is the M1 version.  See below recording.

iMac- Possible Drive Failure....Again

About a month ago, my iMac started acting funky again, only I didn't receive any drive failure alerts.  I ran several diagnostic checks on the system and the system checks out fine.  I won't take it back to Apple's Genius Bar because the system is out of warranty and it also is too heavy to be taking back and forth to Apple.  I wouldn't mind taking it in if they told me it would be a warranty repair and if I wouldn't have to keep ferrying the system back to them.

I ran FSCK twice (the first time it had to clear out some issues...the second time it didn't alert on any issues).  I used Disk Utility in Recovery mode to check the drive (there were no warnings).  I checked the disk's permissions...there were many that needed corrections but it fixed them all.  I reset NVRAM.  I tried Safe Boot mode.  I reset the SMC.  Nothing is working.

I opened the system and cleaned it of dust.  I didn't see anything amiss internally (the inside wasn't uber-dusty, either).

What's happening?  The damned beach ball is taking over the computer, which is why I think it's a drive issue.  It could well be a RAM issue, especially since it's only got 4GB of RAM but it has been running fine on 4GB for YEARS.  I can't use Activity Monitor to check any of the resources because the damned beach ball won't let me open anything.

Another thing is that the system keeps opening all these apps that I ran the last time I used the system and some of them are resource-intensive (iMovie, for example)...I wish there was a way to tell the system to clear out any cached apps and to not run them anymore, since it's interfering with my troubleshooting.

I'll be ordering a drive from iFixit but I need to know what brand is inside the computer.  I'd much rather not have to open it again, but I might have to, since it's taking forever to check within OS X.

But before I do that, I'm going to reinstall OS X to see if this fixes the problem.  I checked Disk Utility yet again and don't see any errors or SMART warnings.  I actually scanned the system with the included Application CD, which has additional diagnostics...it didn't detect anything.  I think a reinstall of OS X may work as my daughter was running a crapload of 3rd party software for Minecraft...she may have hosed the system.

UPDATE:  Annnnddd...it's working.  I was right...there must've been an issue with the OS installation. I need to get current OS-wise, though...I had to go all the way back to Snow Leopard.  I can't even install Lion, Mountain Lion, or Yosemite until I download the 10.6.8 update.

UPDATE #2:  As of 10/14/15, it's still working without issue.

Smartphones - Maxing Out Your Storage Capacity?

Maxing Out Your Storage Capacity?  This article can help you regain storage space.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/08/01/no-more-storage-space-on-your-phone-heres-what-you-should-trash-first/

I skimmed over the article.  It appears sound as far as what it recommends.  It speaks in a way that people should understand, no matter what brand of phone you're using (it has screenshots of both Android and Apple smartphones).

Do I need this?  No.  I already know how to free up space when I've reached the storage limits (I usually back up everything on my SD card onto my PC, then place it on a dedicated storage drive).  But I'm sure this will be able to help people like my mother or wife or daughters.

Enjoy!

New Title & URL Assigned to this Blog

I should've done this a long time ago.  I've always tried to mesh general tech in this blog but the original make-up of this site was always of an Apple/Mac orientation.

Without further ado, the new name of the blog is All Things Tech.  The new URL is technology2have.blogspot.com (everything else I tried was taken already, but I suppose I could've leveraged the domain space I currently own).

The content of continue to revolve around general technology...I've no plans to change anything else about the blog.

Still Active

This blog is still active.  We'll, it isn't but as long as I still have Macs, I'll keep the site up and running.

I've not been using the iMac all that much. I take that back.  I use do use it, but mainly for crunching video and movies that I capture from my phone, my GoPro, and my Emerson Action Cam.  iMovie does some things that Movie Maker doesn't.  iMovie also tends to be more intuitive.  Other than that, the only action the iMac sees is in playing Minecraft (my kids).

My MacBook is barely being used (I do occasionally use it for web browsing while in bed).  My Macbook is no longer supported (it is a 1g).  I suppose I could swap out the battery with the wife's (my wife's is a 2g and is still supported - but her battery stopped working) and use hers.  Or I can throw Linux on it.

I don't think I'm every going to buy another Apple.  I love the idea and the simplicity of basic operations, but when complicated issues arise, sometimes even the basic things are no longer simple.  As well, I tire of trying to ensure the computers are supported.

But, I should document how to get my music from a backup of my iPad Mini to my Samsung Galaxy Note 2.  I've been trying to do that for a very long time.  Like a fool, when I installed Windows 8 on my Alienware, I forgot to back up my iTunes stuff (music and such).  Now, I can get most of it back via iCloud and via wireless and iTunes, but I'm having a problem getting my music reinstalled that I *didn't* purchase via iTunes.  It's a PITA (similar to the issue I had back in 2008 where I dropped and broke my iPhone...got a new iPhone but had a very difficult time getting my music onto the new phone).

iPhone Lockscreen Can Be Bypassed With New iOS 6.1 trick

And here we go again...

http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/14/3987830/ios-6-1-security-flaw-lets-anyone-make-calls-from-your-iphone

A security flaw in Apple's iOS 6.1 lets anyone bypass your iPhone password lock and access your phone app, view or modify contacts, check your voicemail, and look through your photos (by attempting to add a photo to a contact).

Something very similar happened with iOS 4.2 (see the article for a reference link).

The article also includes video footage of the flaw being taken advantage of.

Apple Disables Java

http://slackfiles.blogspot.com/2013/01/apple-disables-java.html

Posted on my security blog, but since this applies to Apple, I decided to link that blog entry here.

iMac Repair, Part II

Reference http://whitemacbook.blogspot.com/2012/08/imac-repaired.html.

So, not long after I got a replacement drive installed in my iMac, Apple sent me an e-mail stating there was a recall on the drives of certain iMacs.  WTF.  They replaced the drive then want to replace it again???  It means I'll have to pack up and haul the damned thing back to the Apple store again.  That was a pain in the ass last time and it'll be a pain in the ass again.  The iMac is working fine now, but eventually I will have to commit to participating in the recall.  :(

I'll have to research on how to restore using Time Machine, since I lost my backups after the last repair (the damned thing wiped out my backups to backup a fresh hard drive!).

I've been hitting on max disk space usage on my Mac (80GB drive). Wondering if it's worth upgrading the drive to something bigger, but I don't really use this machine anymore.  I mean, I do, but it's not a primary machine anymore...it has been replaced by my Alienware M17xR3, but I use the Macbook when I feel the Alienware is too bulky (there ARE times that the bigger machine is inappropriate).  I deleted 465 files from the Downloads directory (for browser)...freed up maybe a gig of space. Will be downloading Disk Inventory X to see if there are any extremely big files that need to go.

Update -- Oh yeah, Disk Inventory X is a Mac port of WinDirStat, by the way.

Update -- Freed up 6 more gigs of data. Found that I had some TomTom files that I didn't need (upgrade files).  I've quite a bit of music also...I might need to archive it or move it to the iMac (got 1.5TB in that one).

Stolen iPhone Saga, Part Deux

Wow!

Apple iCloud pricing revealed in developer beta

Apple has revealed its pricing structure for its iCloud service in a beta launch for developers

More here.

OS X Lion Brings Major Security Overhaul To Apple Users

OS X Lion Brings Major Security Overhaul To Apple Users

I haven't yet fully read the article, but it will definitely be on my weekend hitlist!

Smartphones NOT So Smart!

Me: If I don't move for 5+ hours, my phone should be aware and quit polling for nearby wifi hotspots. Not found in 10 min, try again in 10 min.

Friend: I just turn wifi off

Me: I turn it off too, but by the time I remember, it's already used 25% battery life. I use wifi at home, otherwise I'd turn it off altogether. They make this crap seem like its innovative, but they stop just to make the phone look pretty. Apple: Fix the software and make it more intelligent...THEN beautify!

Ugh!

I'm beginning to HATE iWeb. I can only post things if I use my MacBook or iMac. I can't create iWeb content using my iPad or a Windows machine (WTF). There's also the issue with my Macbook having an older copy of iWeb...I'm trying to prevent having to spend $70 to get the latest version of iLife. Yeah, its only $70, but factor in that I have to use the word 'only' every time I purchase software or computer supplies...that stuff adds up (seriously).

So, coming back to Blogger seems to be the logical solution. I can access Blogger from any system while I can't with iWeb. I don't have to pay for Blogger to ensure compatibility, either. I think iWeb has become an afterthought for Apple. The Apple mindset of "we know better than the user/consumer" gets old after awhile...

Apple Taps Unisys to Assist With Business and Government Support

 

Bloomberg reports that Apple has brought in IT service provider Unisys to help with support for its corporate and government customers, a growing area of focus for Apple.

More here.