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On my iPhone headset (the one that came with the device, as well as the in-ear buds) there's a little piece of plastic that slides on the cable to one earbud, and can clip onto the other cable.

  • It's not large enough to accommodate the headset cable below the split, so it can't be used to somehow hold the cable in place when it's curled up.
  • It's not tight enough to stay in place if I slide it nearer the earbud, so it can't be used to essentially move the point where the cable splits closer to the earbuds.
  • It's not tight enough to really hold on to the other earbud cable. It takes nearly no effort at all to pull the cables apart.

What in the world is it good for?!?

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3 Answers

up vote 2 down vote accepted

It's good for avoiding tangles when you're not using your earbuds, or when you are using them, from preventing you from tearing your earbuds. (When you're jogging or whatever.) That extra clip is the first thing to give when you pull them apart. If that wasn't there, the next thing to pull would be the splitter. Then you'd have half a pair of earbuds.

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Does yous take more than "nearly no effort at all to pull the cables apart"? I find mine utterly useless to the point of me wanting to saw the damn thing off. Just wanted to collect opinions before I did something drastic. – Torben Gundtofte-Bruun Nov 22 '10 at 6:37
For the record, I found mine today, and they take nearly no effort at all, but you know… physics 101, the “momentum” thing… one can only hope. Don’t “tear it apart”, I doubt there’s any gain from that and the loss could be the cost of a new pair (which, btw, will come with the clip again) ;) – Martín Marconcini Nov 22 '10 at 10:19
That little plastic thingy is utterly useless, but I'll accept this as the best answer because it explains the intended purpose. – Torben Gundtofte-Bruun Feb 23 '11 at 13:34
up vote 2 down vote

The usages you described are the correct ones. The Headphones ones are really lame, but it does its job on the Macbook’s power bricks. I made a pic for you: Clip

I can’t find my iPhone earbuds, but the idea “is more or less the same”.

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up vote 1 down vote

The little clip holds the headphones, if gently, to your head notwithstanding some head movement. It has a more secure feel and holds the microphone closer to your throat for better sound on the other end. I do wish, however, that the clip held the opposing cord more firmly.

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