Voice Control going haywire with earphones plugged in

Question

Level 1

33 points

Voice Control going haywire with earphones plugged in

In the gym yesterday, listening to music, and all of a sudden I kept hearing the Voice Control beep, waiting for my input. It kept happening, every 20 seconds or so. I presumed I somehow must be pressing the button on the inline mic by accident while I'm rowing back and forwards, but I wasn't.

Then, later while in bed, I was watching some YouTube videos, and the same thing started happening - Voice Control kept activating every 10 or 20 seconds. I unplugged the earphones and plugged in an old iPod pair I had, and it stopped happening, so it MUST be an earphone related issue.

I definitely was NOT pressing/leaning on the button.

Any ideas?

iMac 20" (Early 2008), 2.4Ghz Intel, 2GB RAM, Mac OS X (10.5.7), Apple wireless keyboard & mouse

Posted on Jun 27, 2009 4:20 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 27, 2009 5:43 AM in response to markmc78

Some moisture (sweat?) may have got into the switch on the headphone cable while at the gym. If you're lucky, it may dry out in a few days. If not, go to an Apple store and ask for replacement earphones. (You probable should not say anything about moisture. Apple is very touchy about that.)

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Answer 2

markmc78 Author

Level 1

33 points

Jun 27, 2009 6:17 AM in response to Malcolm Rayfield

Thanks, but I go to the gym 3 times a week. Am I gonna have to get earphone replacements every week? Since Apple added Nike+iPod support to the 3G S they must realise people are going to exercise while using it?

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Answer 3

Jun 27, 2009 7:15 AM in response to markmc78

Maybe some plastic cling wrap around the microphone/switch would help. It may be thin enough to not affect the sound too much.

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Answer 4

Jun 28, 2009 2:56 PM in response to markmc78

Hey MarcMC78,

I've run into the same issue as well, and posted a similar thread a few days ago over here:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2058831

I was able to get my headset replaced at a local Apple Store, but I'm switching back to using Nike+ on my iPod nano until they develop a moisture-resistant headset.

*Please voice your concerns/displeasure with the current headset by going to:*

http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

Apple doesn't necessarily read these forums, but they do read their feedback.

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Answer 5

markmc78 Author

Level 1

33 points

Jul 3, 2009 3:45 AM in response to SmartMoose

Well, I left the earphones a few days to dry out, and tried them again - low and behold, the inline remote doesn't work at all now!! Completely goosed!

Even better, I phoned Customer Services to arrange a replacement pair, and because I don't own a credit card (I only use debit cards), I can't get a replacement pair over the phone, I have to go to the Apple Store. Nearest one is in Glasgow, about 40 miles away!

And when I explained to the guy what I thought was wrong (i.e. sweat getting into it), he actually had the gall to say "I don't think they're designed to be used in the gym"!!! So I asked him why on Earth had Apple designed the new iPhone to include Nike support?

Unbelievable. I go to the gym 3 times a week so I guess I'm just gonna have to get new earphones every 2 weeks or so?

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Answer 6

seadoo99

Level 1

0 points

Jul 3, 2009 5:20 AM in response to markmc78

I feel your pain.... My headset remote shorted out in under one week. They FedEx'ed me a new set overnight. Apple needs to get their ** together about re-designing these headsets. For the record I was using Nike+ and coming back from a 6 mile walk when my Voice control issues started (from the headset remote).

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Answer 7

seadoo99

Level 1

0 points

Jul 3, 2009 5:29 AM in response to seadoo99

Did everyone send feedback to apple about this issue...

I did get a replacement set sent to me... (only after I gave them a $20 deposit!!!)

**I love how every time I'm having a known problem the apple rep always acts like it's the first time they heard of this problem**

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Answer 8

markmc78 Author

Level 1

33 points

Jul 4, 2009 1:34 AM in response to seadoo99

Right, now I'm really unhappy - they've bloody sent me iPhone/iPhone 3G earphones, not 3G S ones!!!

I tried them anyway, and pressing the button does not pause the music, and a double press does not skip tracks. Should iPhone/iPhone 3G earphones work with a 3G S? If so, it looks like it's my 3G S that was faulty, not the earphones...

One seriously p *** off customer. I've already send Apple feedback.

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Answer 9

seadoo99

Level 1

0 points

Jul 4, 2009 3:08 AM in response to markmc78

@Markmc78

I just tried my old headphones off my first generation iPhone and the click switch works fine (pause, skip to next track.... ect) maybe your sweat-logged and shorted-out remote did some thing to your 3GS as you suggested... Thats *****!

Is it safe to assume your next trip will be to the Apple store (for a new phone)?

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Answer 10

markmc78 Author

Level 1

33 points

Jul 4, 2009 3:22 AM in response to seadoo99

Ooops, my bad - I just gave the earphone socket on the 3G S a good ol' blow, and loads of fluff/dust came out. Tried my "broken, sweat-logged" 3G S earphones again and the inline remote works fine....

I still blame Apple... 😉

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Answer 11

seadoo99

Level 1

0 points

Jul 4, 2009 3:48 AM in response to markmc78

I would still request a "new" 3GS headphone set .... as you know the next time you go to the GYM this will just happen again with your old set.

Sounds like you have a pocket lint problem too. 😉

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