this post was submitted on 30 Nov 2023
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Headphones

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Hey, I recently bought the Edifier W820NB Plus headphones, and they're great. However, there's one major problem: the software. The Edifier app is filled with bloatware and possibly spyware too, as it requires location permissions to work. Is there any app that allows you to control Edifier headphones features like noise cancellation? An open-source app would be perfect, but I'll take any alternative as long as it's better than the default Edifier app.

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[–] upbeatelk2622@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I've never seen headphones work with outside apps because the app is basically controls that should've appeared as buttons on the headphone itself. (imagine that) Companies would argue it's only right that it's proprietary to them, no matter how crap it is :P

If you have a spare, throwaway phone, put the app on there for when you need to change settings. You can disable location in system settings and then allow location for the app, technically the app won't really get to know your location because the system has no location to provide.

If an app wants to foul this and spy on your location with location off, the app has to have Instagram-grade snooping, where if you use any web browser or google app, they will detect your location from that... But most apps are not assholes like that (yet) lol

I'm a bit older and I find this trend of headphones having apps really unfortunate. It's forced a lot of brands who are unsavvy to make bad software. And, do you guys remember Bose was caught selling user info from their first headphone app? (for the QC30)

[–] Letus252@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Thanks for the help. Fortunately, noise cancellation is enabled by default, and I don't really use other features, so I can live without an app. I'm not tech-savvy enough to write my own app, but in theory, it doesn't seem that difficult: an app with just a battery indicator and switch for noise cancellation or ambient sound mode would be direct upgrade over these bloated brand apps.

[–] coldmexicantea@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

From what I know it requires location permission because Bluetooth scanning can be used to determine your location