Apple's AirPods are fine.They're lightweight, they're remarkably easy to pair with an iPhone, and they're one of two truly wireless earphones I've used that can hold a Bluetooth connection without totally freaking out.They work. You'd be surprised at how few wireless headphones you can say that about.Still, I'd have a hard time recommending them to non-tech-enthusiasts. Though the AirPods are better than most of their fully wireless peers, they can't totally escape feeling like a test run.Most of the deepest flaws should improve over time. Forthcoming Bluetooth updates should bolster battery life and smooth out what connection issues are left. And while Siri isbad, it's a larger project that Applehas plenty of incentive to improve.There are other, more design-centric issues, though, that Apple canaddressif it wants the AirPods to be a more polished, consumer-friendly product. Here's a few I'd like to see in the future.SEE ALSO:These futuristic wireless earbuds just beat Apple's AirPods at their own gameNew colors, or anything else to make them look less goofy.The AirPods biggest problem isnt the mediocre sound, or how the fit isnt great for some, or Bluetooths ongoing imperfectionsits that you look like a goof while wearing them. You are not the cool dancing guy in Apples commercials.There are many interesting ideas and technical accomplishments to the AirPods, and tech enthusiasts have rightly praised Apple for them. But the stares they generate, and the ensuing discomfort you feel, are real, and they shouldnt be discounted. Its not a Google-Glass-level problem, but its not not that either.The reason this is a big deal is because its not clear how Apple can mitigate it with the current AirPods design. The Bragi Headphone and Jabra Elite Sport dont look normal, but they dont have a bright white stem hanging off them. That stem, however, is a big part of what lets the AirPods work.Apple seems to be hoping its sheer popularity will normalize the design, and given the AirPods apparent fast start, it mightve bet wisely. But if sales dont hold up beyond the early adopters, and a non-stem design is out of the question, maybe some more subdued color options would help. A black pair might not call as much attention to itself.Expanded touch controls.Right now, the AirPods turn music playback controls into an excuse to use Siri. You can only adjust volume or skip tracks by telling Apples digital assistant to do so. Apple has reasons to make this normal, but that doesnt make itany more convenient today. Most people dont want to talk to themselves in public. And having to use your phone to adjust your music defeats the purpose of having untethered earphones.I dont think physical controls are the answerweve seen those with the otherwise solid Bragi Headphone, and they just arent comfortable with this little space. Others have implemented farther-reaching touch controls, though, and Apple already has a play/pause option built in. It doesnt have to go as far as the Bragi Dashand itd have to do a better job of accounting for the windbut theres room for it to provide basic volume and track skipping controls while retaining the keep everything simple ethos Apple tends to shoot for.A bigger battery case.On their own, the AirPods last around 4-5 hours per charge. Thats not the bestthe aforementioned Bragi Headphone can last closer to 6 hoursand its not good, but its enough for a days commute.As noted above, forthcoming Bluetooth updates should help truly wireless earbuds last longer, so there shouldnt be much need to bulk up the AirPods just to fit a bigger battery. What can afford to bulk up, though, is the little white case that holds and recharges them. You get between 2 or 3 recharges with whats available nowits entirely possible to strengthen that while keeping the whole thing pocketable.See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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