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Thanks to capitalism, tech advances have a funny way of reverting back to the old way of doing things.
Consumers were excited about Apple AirPods when they first became available on December 13, 2016.
In addition to playing music, the Bluetooth-enabled wireless device included a built-in microphone enabling noise-cancellation.
It also nixed the cumbersome cord that connected the ear buds together.
And while the in-ear placement feature – which paused music in the event one of the stubby pods fell out of your ear – proved to be convenient on one level, a large demographic of music lovers were fearful of being left with a solo earpiece after losing the other.
The pricey solution to keeping the AirPods tethered is equal parts stocking-stuffer and head-slapper.
For $60, you can go back to sporting the accessory that appears to look like regular headphones with Nordstrom's AirPods Carrying Strap.
The accessory defeats the whole purpose of having wireless headphones, and now we have come full circle.
Scared of losing your AirPods? Try this! A cord that holds your AirPods on a strap around your neck just like -- wa… https://t.co/f9PcUva0HK— Hema Mullur (@Hema Mullur) 1575407142.0
Late capitalism just keeps getting better: https://t.co/aNtZ0heePu— Aditya Chakrabortty (@Aditya Chakrabortty) 1575358979.0
The screengrab featured in the above tweet was taken from a Cosmopolitan's holiday gift guide that featured the magnetic-locking leather strap.
The strap, which is available in a variety of colors, has no function other than preventing one of the pods from going rogue when not in use.
@Hipster_Trader Thanks I’ve been looking for ironic gift ideas.— Hey it’s Debug! (@Hey it’s Debug!) 1575310696.0
@chakrabortty What was the whole point of making them without the wires🙄— belle (@belle) 1575361188.0
@chakrabortty @RamzZy_ But why would I buy AirPods then buy straps for them? https://t.co/YaDc872mNC— African Ting (@African Ting) 1575361430.0
Currently, AirPods retail for $159, while the AirPods Pro has a value of $249.
But for an additional $60, you can buy insurance in the form of a strap to keep your buds together forever!
But you might as well buy traditional wired in-ear buds at competitive prices.
This year’s hot gift. A $60 strap to go with your $150 wireless AirPods. https://t.co/Vv6ud4Proc— Hipster (@Hipster) 1575294234.0
AirPods: $250 AirPods “Carrying Strap”: $60 Feeling vastly superior to those Losers still wearing wires?...Pricel… https://t.co/3AcWq7uyda— Ellie Frost (@Ellie Frost) 1575315463.0
@chakrabortty @StigAbell I thought the point was NOT to have wires.— Moon Pavilion (@Moon Pavilion) 1575360831.0
@chakrabortty Just when I thought the airpod itself was the ultimate "I saw you coming"— Polly girl swot Hill (@Polly girl swot Hill) 1575359338.0
@Hipster_Trader There is no inflation. Just a regular string for 60 bucks.— $MarketGameIsRigged$ (@$MarketGameIsRigged$) 1575306480.0
Or if you have money burning a hole in your pocket, you can stay relevant with this method.
@_BlockBytch @pmullr If u want to feel superior forget the strap and loose/rebuy airpods on a monthly basis— cryptorap 🏧 (@cryptorap 🏧) 1575371616.0
imagine paying $200 for airpods just to turn them into headphones again https://t.co/q5WbKszjrZ— teresa fardella (@teresa fardella) 1575324776.0
At $60, it simply cannot be just any old strap.
@chakrabortty @JimMFelton Ah, but they are made from the finest Unicorn hair and make the AirPods sound amazing!— Jason Copeland (@Jason Copeland) 1575361608.0
@Hipster_Trader They better have a beyond meat/avocado/yarn composite for the strap thread to charge that much.— Premature Accumulation Pajama Microscalper (@Premature Accumulation Pajama Microscalper) 1575296706.0
@Hipster_Trader Why is it not gold is beyond me— perceptive panda (@perceptive panda) 1575294292.0
@chakrabortty @Kosmic_Kitty_ Capitalism always finds a way to reinvent something for a higher price— katiemine | 73 days! (@katiemine | 73 days!) 1575363377.0
This is next level absurd. For one thing, if you need this then don’t get air pods. Also @Nordstrom... this is a st… https://t.co/YPVGkTwoF5— Tony Gautier (@Tony Gautier) 1575268929.0
What's next?
Hey @Nordstrom, I do like the AirPods carrying strap! Now the thing is... I never know in whitch pocket I put my… https://t.co/8APTwgv4vN— Badesalzprinzessin 🇪🇺 (@Badesalzprinzessin 🇪🇺) 1575391089.0
What a beautiful time to be alive. A strap for your airpods so you don't lose them🤔. They should add a plug that le… https://t.co/5Ta3hAHsv9— DegenerateGolf (@DegenerateGolf) 1575344809.0
So far, there is one positive review of the accessory on Nordstrom's website:
"Perfect accessory for Air-Pods. Bought this for my daughter in law as a stocking stuffer, as we are also giving her new Air-Pods for the holidays! Exceptionally well made and very reasonably priced! Highly recommend as a gift for someone special or even for yourself!"
Happy holidays.