They are cheaper than batteries. The cost of shipping and adding batteries to the production line. They are volatile and require strict regulation so most cheap manufacturers just don’t want the hassle. That’s why it needs power. It has BT, but no battery.
Comment on The Paradox of Blackmarket Wired Bluetooth Apple headphones.
AVincentInSpace@pawb.social 3 months ago
As horrified as I was to read this, it is a little exciting to think that I live in a world where Bluetooth radios are so inexpensive that building it that way is cheaper
ultratiem@lemmy.ca 3 months ago
deezbutts@lemm.ee 3 months ago
I don’t want to rain on your parade, but maybe that’s more of an indictment about ridiculous licensing costs for lightning
ultratiem@lemmy.ca 3 months ago
LOL. Not in this case. Cheap headphones do not pay Apple a dime. And Apple can’t go after every little headphone manufacturer they have real things to deal with like entire knock off Apple Stores that push millions of dollars a month.
In this case, the answer is less insidious. It’s the batteries. These headphones have BT but no batteries, hence why they are wired (need the power).
AVincentInSpace@pawb.social 3 months ago
Why do they need Bluetooth at all though? Why not pull the audio through the Lightning plug like official Apple accessories do?
If I had to take a guess, it’s because the audio signal coming out of the Lightning port is encrypted because Apple hates everyone who isn’t them
ultratiem@lemmy.ca 3 months ago
Two reasons. One, it’s actually expensive to wire up lightning to audio. Because the connection is digital, not analogue like the headphone jack. Two Apple can detect data thru software and even disable it, leaving the headphones useless. Why would they? Because you didn’t apply for their mifi program and pay them.
Its basically how they bypass the “Apple tax.”