Apple AirPods: iPhone accessory or the next big thing? • Hacker News Board

Re: Apple AirPods: iPhone accessory or the next big thing?

#481

Post by rsynnott » Wed, Jan 08, 2020, 2:39 AM UTC

eikenberry wrote: post #366

lowboy wrote: post #333

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Audio quality is only one of the metrics for comparison, including: - form factor (my powerbeats pro case is huge compared to airpods) - handoff between different Apple devices - BT reliability/connection strength (mostly down to BT 4 vs 5) - fit and finish - noise cancellation People weigh all of these things differently to arrive at what is "best". If a broad range of wireless buds all meet someone's threshold for…

Audio quality may be only one metric, but it is by far the most important. When shopping for headphones/iems you first listen to them and find the ones that sound how you like, then you compare on all other factors. I think most people who buy them do so because the marketing, not due to the experience. They know the brand and know they won't suck. Not that they are the best.

I, and I expect many others, mostly use them walking down the road, or around the house. And mostly for voice, not music, in my case. Audio quality certainly isn’t my main priority; comfort, battery life, and reliability are all far more important.

Re: Apple AirPods: iPhone accessory or the next big thing?

#482

Post by ikeboy » Wed, Jan 08, 2020, 2:39 AM UTC

mikestew wrote: post #474

ikeboy wrote: post #466

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been switching between my Ubuntu laptop and Android phone. Pretty simple, I do need to disconnect it manually on one device before switching to the other but that takes a second. I don't believe Airpods would be any better in that scenario.

I do need to disconnect it manually on one device before switching to the other but that takes a second. Only a second if your kids don’t have it, or you didn’t leave it at home, or... With AirPods, one does not need track down the other device.

I've used a $50 pair that had that feature, if I cared about it I'd use that over Airpods.

Re: Apple AirPods: iPhone accessory or the next big thing?

#483

Post by mikestew » Wed, Jan 08, 2020, 2:40 AM UTC

ChainOfFools wrote: post #456

iudqnolq wrote: post #447

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The difficulty is when headsets are paired with two devices at the same place, eg phone & laptop. In the I believe there are higher end non Apple devices that have solved this.

I can't concur on this at all; I have a 59 dollar LG in ear Bluetooth stereo headset that easily and seamlessly auto connects to at least 3 different devices, two Android and one Apple. Multiple Bluetooth earpieces (of the single ear kind) from jawbone and Plantronics, though not nearly as cheap, have been similarly painless and this has been the case for at least 5 years, since Galaxy Note 2 days. I would never have…

Much like how my Apple cables outlive everyone else’s (I still have working 30-pins), someone is going to have a good experience with BT audio and switching from one device to another. But I know other people have longevity problems with their cables, and if you didn’t know before, you know now that people have these problems with Bluetooth. I, for example, have used BT audio almost since it was a thing. I generally don’t buy cheap shit, but I’ve had the same problems others complain about across multiple devices and audio gear.

I’m glad it’s worked well for you, though. I figured someone must being a good experience with it.

Re: Apple AirPods: iPhone accessory or the next big thing?

#484

Post by Grazester » Wed, Jan 08, 2020, 2:41 AM UTC

Daneel_ wrote: post #373

Grazester wrote: post #252

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am like you but with the Android. Every time I use my wife iPhone I want to toss it across the room. I think primary because it doesn't have a dedicated back button.

Apple’s design language is to put the ‘back’ item at the top left of the screen, usually as a < symbol.

I know this, but when an app goes fullscreen and hides this button I have to think to long about how to get out of it especially being that I am not a regular iPhone user

Re: Apple AirPods: iPhone accessory or the next big thing?

#485

Post by Barrin92 » Wed, Jan 08, 2020, 2:42 AM UTC

dsalzman wrote: post #25

Airpods are an integral part of Apple's future medical ambition. Always in ear Airpods constantly taking your Temp, HR, Glucose, GSR, etc. With the kicker that it is only stored locally and securely on your device, all processing done locally via HealthKit. That customized data will change how we think about patient care.

>That customized data will change how we think about patient care.

People keep repeating this almost like a PR slogan but is there any actual solid evidence that constantly measuring health data has a meaningful impact on average, healthy adults and is a reasonable thing to do?

A non-diabetic person does not need to constantly measure their glucose level, and if anything slight anomalies in otherwise asymptomatic people may very well create health scares or overburden the medical system with people getting things checked out that isn't a problem.

This is a very real trade-off already present for example when it comes to mammographies, with many studies suggesting the routine screening might be a net negative.

The economic incentive for the healthcare industry is very obvious when it comes to putting everyone on 24/7 surveillance, but is there any indication it meaningfully improves the life of individuals in general?

Re: Apple AirPods: iPhone accessory or the next big thing?

#486

Post by p1necone » Wed, Jan 08, 2020, 2:42 AM UTC

Fezzik wrote: post #473

52-6F-62 wrote: post #455

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Reporting from Toronto: You see a lot of AirPods (I was gifted a set myself) but you see even more wireless over-ear headphones. I probably notice those the most. And wired are still common, though not necessarily 3.5mm.

I dunno... I was watching an NBA game* the other day and 4/5 players had AirPods in as they entered the arena and the other singleton had over the ear headphones. This totally caught me off-guard, and was so noticeable I made a mental note of it. * I know, not representative of the general population, and USA-centric, but the A list tends to be representative of what people want and, if they can afford it, what they…

I wouldn't be surprised if they were given them by apple for free - that's pretty good marketing.

Re: Apple AirPods: iPhone accessory or the next big thing?

#487

Post by m_ke » Wed, Jan 08, 2020, 2:44 AM UTC

dsalzman wrote: post #25

Airpods are an integral part of Apple's future medical ambition. Always in ear Airpods constantly taking your Temp, HR, Glucose, GSR, etc. With the kicker that it is only stored locally and securely on your device, all processing done locally via HealthKit. That customized data will change how we think about patient care.

Currently they're just causing a ton of ear infections and hearing problems.

https://www.reddit.com/r/airpods/comments/e2gmyw/ear_infecti...

Re: Apple AirPods: iPhone accessory or the next big thing?

#488

Post by rajacombinator » Wed, Jan 08, 2020, 2:48 AM UTC

AirPods are an absolute joke. Total ripoff price, poor performance and design. Everyone at Apple should be ashamed.

Re: Apple AirPods: iPhone accessory or the next big thing?

#489

Post by btgeekboy » Wed, Jan 08, 2020, 2:48 AM UTC

iudqnolq wrote: post #447

ikeboy wrote: post #423

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What exactly is this seamless pairing that Airpods do so much better than everyone else? I've not noticed much in the way of seams on the other wireless earbuds I've tried. Connect on device, it works, and autoconnects next time.

The difficulty is when headsets are paired with two devices at the same place, eg phone & laptop. In the I believe there are higher end non Apple devices that have solved this.

There are. Bose hardware (both the QC35II and SoundSport headset I've tried) handle this beautifully. They've also had audio sharing between multiple headsets working for years, which my partner and I have used numerous times while traveling.

Re: Apple AirPods: iPhone accessory or the next big thing?

#490

Post by dragonwriter » Wed, Jan 08, 2020, 2:48 AM UTC

Barrin92 wrote: post #485

dsalzman wrote: post #25

Airpods are an integral part of Apple's future medical ambition. Always in ear Airpods constantly taking your Temp, HR, Glucose, GSR, etc. With the kicker that it is only stored locally and securely on your device, all processing done locally via HealthKit. That customized data will change how we think about patient care.

>That customized data will change how we think about patient care. People keep repeating this almost like a PR slogan but is there any actual solid evidence that constantly measuring health data has a meaningful impact on average, healthy adults and is a reasonable thing to do? A non-diabetic person does not need to constantly measure their glucose level, and if anything slight anomalies in otherwise asymptomatic peo…

> People keep repeating this almost like a PR slogan but is there any actual solid evidence that constantly measuring health data has a meaningful impact on average, healthy adults and is a reasonable thing to do?

ISTR some studies that for certain measures, frequent measurement without specific indication of monitoring need tends to drive overtreatment and worse outcomes, not even considering things like mammograms where the measuring actually can contribute to the thing it detects.