Ask HN: Is it possible for a Bluetooth earphone to play audio without the case?

[my12parsecs]

I lost the charging case for my bluetooth earphone yesterday, but the audio kept playing from the ear pieces for an extended period of time(2 hours).

I was using the earphones outside, while the case was in my pocket. At a certain point I realized my pocket was empty and the case was gone. I searched my backpack inside and out, and checked all of my pockets. I am absolutely sure that the case was not on me, but for some reason the earbuds kept playing audio. After I searched the area for the case and failed, I gave up and went home which is an hour away by train. For the entire duration of the journey the audio kept playing, and I was able to change what song was playing as well. After I came home and the battery died, it stopped playing and that is where I'm at.

In this case, is it possible that audio was playing without the case and just the earbuds? Or am I missing something here?

[Prickle]

The case is usually just a case, or a charging device/battery for the ear buds.

The earbuds themselves are connected to your device via bluetooth.

Depends on the ear bud brand / cost. But they either both connect to your device separately, or only one of them connects to the device, then relays the information to the other bud.

[nosrepa]

Pairing is usually done through the case, hence OP's confusion.

[Prickle]

I googled the pixel buds and yea, that is a very weird and unique thing they have going on. It is definitely not the "usual" method here, as I have never seen anyone pairing via the case in my life.

I have never paired earbuds via the case either, but I guess there is a first time for everything.

[nosrepa]

For the other (currently two) commenters in this thread, to pair ear buds like the pixel buds, that is done via the case.

[solardev]

I don't understand your question. Aren't the actual Bluetooth electronics in the earbuds? I thought the case was just a battery charger for the buds?

Are you implying that the case is the actual Bluetooth connection, proxying the audio to the buds...? If that's how it works, I had no idea!

[nosrepa]

The case often has Bluetooth itself, as you can usually see the charge status of the case on your phone as well. Pairing is usually initiated through a button on the case as well.

[WheelsAtLarge]

I get it. Ya, it seems like the case is part of the Bluetooth works but it's not. It's just the charging case.

I would find it useful if the case was a wifi receiver where you could select your streaming app similar to a radio and have it broadcast in Bluetooth to your earbuds.