Headset Blocker Widget for Android Phones

Posted on by Chris

After purchasing my Sennheiser PMX80 headphones, I ran in to a slight problem. Once I plugged them in to my HTC Droid Incredible, the phone started going bonkers. The stock music player started to randomly play, skip through songs, and seemed to have a mind of its own. It also made CardioTrainer go completely loony.

I noticed that the phone was recognizing the headphones as a headset, signified by the headphone icon plus microphone in the notifcation bar. So after scouring the Internet for a little while, I found that this has been a known issue for quite some time. Apparently many different types of headphones and other standard 3.5mm jacks, including those for car stereos, suffer from this issue. The phone interprets signals from the headphones as control queues to intiate certain remote functions such as play, skip forward, stop, etc. And it looks to be plaguing many Android devices. So a solution I needed to find!

The first solution suggested was a factory reset. Did that, with no positive end result.

The second solution was an app called “headset blocker.” It’s just a little widget you can turn on and off that blocks the phone from entering headset mode. Worked perfectly.

Technology is goofy sometimes. (most of the time)

 

Sennheiser PMX80: The Perfect Running Headphones

Posted on by Chris

Since I started marathon training about two months ago, I’ve gone through 3 pairs of headphones. Granted, they were just pairs that I happened to have accumulated over the years of several off-brand MP3 player purchases, but even so, while running; those headphones would not stay in my ears for more than five minutes before popping out. And over time, they ended up breaking one way or another.

So I spent many hours researching what people suggested as the best running headphones or earbuds. After reading reviews from all over the Internet, there seemed to be an almost unanimous vote for the Sennheiser PMX80′s. I went ahead and purchased a pair from Amazon.com, and I too can attest that they are most certainly the best sport headphones I’ve ever used.

The Sennheiser PMX80′s have superior sound quality, but I might not suggest them for someone who considers themselves an audiophile.

PROS:
Sound quality is very good, behind-the-head style headphones are great, fits very well, sturdy construction, an extra long cord, and a cord clip to keep it from being a pain in the butt. Oh, and with orange being my favorite color, that’s also a plus.

CONS:
A bit pricey at $51 dollars after shipping.

Unboxing pics:

Sennheiser PMX80 Sport UnboxedPackaging with slip cover.
Sennheiser PMX80 Sport Inside CoverSlip cover off.
Sennheiser PMX80 Sport Packaging SmileI like how it makes a sinister smiley face.
Sennheiser PMX80 Sport SideviewSide view of neat corrugated cardboard packaging.
Sennheiser PMX80 Sport Packaging OpenOpened masterfully.
Sennheiser PMX80 Sport ContentsContents: PMX80 headphones, headphone covers, cord clip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A New Journey Begins…

Posted on by Chris

Last year, if you had asked me to run 5 miles, I would have laughed and probably had a heart attack doing so.

I decided to take up power yoga in early January, and did that three to four days a week, for a little more than four months.

I’ve slimmed down… A LOT. Down nearly 50 lbs. A couple of weeks ago I decided to take up running.

Today, after only a little more than 2 weeks of running, I ran 5 miles without pause in 90 degree heat and ridiculous humidity. While my times are not the greatest, yet, it is a proud moment for me. I’ll be running 10 miles at a time by the end of summer.

Next year: Pittsburgh Marathon