Hardware Project: Wireless EarPods Circa 2013

My Role

In 2013, I wasn’t happy with the launch of the EarPods because it didn’t fit my ear. I decided to create my ideal version of the EarPods, which was very similar to today’s AirPods.

The User Problem

The core user problem I was trying to solve was fitting the EarPods into my ear. Of course adding rubber sleeves would solve the issue. However, I hypothesized that by making each individual EarPod wireless, the fit can be better since as wires wouldn’t be exerting downward pressure to pull the Earphones out. Having no wires would also present new problems on carrying and storing the EarPods, as well as the increased likelihood of losing one, or both EarPods.

Defining a Product Solution

I envisioned a new form factor that would overcome these issues:

Getting Buy-In

There would have been many considerations to make to bring my version of today’s AirPods to reality:

• Assessing the market for readiness

• Doing extensive design refinement

• Engineering & feature validations

• Pricing/Cost analysis

• Getting executive approval

• International safety approvals

• Manufacturing validation process

• Packaging

• Marketing

• Distribution

Launching & Results

Success of the product launch could have been determined by the following:

• Units Sold

• Units Returned

• Technical Support tickets created

• Revenue/Profit Generated

• User Reviews

• Social Media Buzz