Powerbeats Pro 2: Problems with the connection to fitness devices
The new sports earbuds from Apple subsidiary Beats can also measure heart rate for the first time. But this also has disadvantages, say critics.
Powerbeats Pro 2: Also tracks heart rate, but not always as intended.
(Image: Beats / Apple)
The new Powerbeats Pro 2 from Apple subsidiary Beats are suitable for sports, have good sound and Apple's latest audio chips – and even have integrated health tracking with a heart rate sensor for the ear area. However, users report that this does not work quite as easily as with the Apple Watch, for example.
Heart rate and audio always from one device
Fitness YouTuber DC Rainmaker has found that the earbuds have a major problem in connection with fitness devices: If you want to use them to transmit heart rate data to a treadmill, stepper, stationary bike or other sports instrument, you can't listen to music from your iPhone at the same time. Only one connection between the Powerbeats Pro 2 and another device is permitted, which then covers both channels –, i.e. music and heart rate data –.
"You can't listen to music on your iPhone and be connected to a fitness device for heart rate [data] at the same time," Beats confirmed to DC Rainmaker. Accordingly, you have to hope that the fitness device provides its own content – via Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or a TV reception –, for example, which can then be transmitted to the Powerbeats Pro 2 via Bluetooth, otherwise the sports session will not be very entertaining.
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Android works (even) better
Another problem with the Powerbeats Pro 2 is the app coverage. On the iPhone, there are currently surprisingly few fitness programs that accept the heart rate measurement of the earbuds. DC Rainmaker was unable to do this with any app, so he used an Android device, where it worked with many well-known programs. In the Mac & i test, the Nike Run Club app worked straight away, while Beats itself lists Peloton, Runna and Slopes.
Direct support for Apple's fitness app is not provided for the Powerbeats Pro 2; the data reaches the health database via third-party software such as Nike Run Club. In addition, the earbuds are always left out if you have an Apple Watch: if you wear Powerbeats Pro 2 and Apple Watch at the same time, only the data from the Watch is used, which Apple apparently considers to be more accurate.
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