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Re:New Google Pixel 3, Pixel Slate, and Home Hub by atomical on Tuesday October 09, 2018 @02:05PM (#18178329)
The bluetooth earbuds are starting to get better. The Bragi Pro is much better than the Dash. I don't have experience with Apple's earbuds but I'm going to guess users are facing similar issues with bluetooth connectivity and interference issues.

I think of bluetooth earbuds as this generations skipping CD's. It's totally unnecessary though. They could have waited.

Re:New Google Pixel 3, Pixel Slate, and Home Hub by cartsagis on Tuesday October 09, 2018 @02:22PM (#18178490)
Airpods are fantastic, haven't had any of these issues.
Re:New Google Pixel 3, Pixel Slate, and Home Hub by rconti on Tuesday October 09, 2018 @03:13PM (#18178951)
Bluetooth has been great for the past few years (maybe since BT4?) My airpods and qc35 and car integration work FLAWLESSLY. The same can certainly not be said of older generation devices. I returned some Outdoor Tech Chips 2.0 something something helmet speakers that went static-y every time you turned your head the wrong way.

The new stuff can work 50+ feet away, through walls, etc.

Re:New Google Pixel 3, Pixel Slate, and Home Hub by bdcravens on Tuesday October 09, 2018 @04:21PM (#18179503)
I've had no issues with my AirPods. I believe the W1 chip provides a stronger connection than vanilla BT.
Re:New Google Pixel 3, Pixel Slate, and Home Hub by gehsty on Tuesday October 09, 2018 @02:34PM (#18178602)
Airpods are insanely good. Virtually no issues with quality or interference and I got them the day they were released. Bose QC35s are also great, just not as reliable as airpods... one thing with airpods is that I think all headphones know when I take them off and to pause music...
Re:New Google Pixel 3, Pixel Slate, and Home Hub by wlesieutre on Tuesday October 09, 2018 @03:14PM (#18178960)
The only complaint I've heard about AirPods is the audio quality, in that that they're typical of Apple's earbuds. Better than the $10 generic ones on Amazon, worse than $150 wired earbuds from Sennheiser etc.

Bluetooth reliability is better than any other headphones, battery life is impressive for how tiny they are, pairing (with iOS/macOS) works better than other bluetooth devices, the charging case is better thought out than other "true wireless" earbuds. Customer satisfaction surveys are ridiculously positive (IIRC 98% or 99%).

I haven't bought them yet myself (just because they cost money), but maybe when the 2nd gen comes out I'll take another look.

Re:New Google Pixel 3, Pixel Slate, and Home Hub by dzhiurgis on Wednesday October 10, 2018 @12:33AM (#18181980)
I can list quite a few improvements to AirPods:

* Wireless charging case

* More controls (perhaps touch sensitive long-press for Siri)

* Better switching between iOS/macOS (or generally - better support in macOS)

* Stereo mic support

* Native lavalier mic support in iOS camera

* Waterproofing

* One-device-multiple-airpods support

* Much much much lower price

* Thinner case

* Hearing aid feature (iOS 12 sort of does it via iPhone mic)

All that said, it's my favourite Apple product in past decade.

Re:New Google Pixel 3, Pixel Slate, and Home Hub by theshrike79 on Thursday October 11, 2018 @03:33AM (#18191572)
I love the fact that the AirPods don't have touch controls. I live in a place where some kind of headwear is required for over 6 months of the year.

I can just tap the side of my wool cap with thick-ass winter gloves and it works. If it was touch sensitive, I'd need to take off my gloves, pull the cap over my ear and fiddle with the earpiece. No thanks.

Re:New Google Pixel 3, Pixel Slate, and Home Hub by dzhiurgis on Friday October 12, 2018 @12:17AM (#18199173)
Not saying that should be taken away. If anything, it needs more gestures, perhaps triple tap for playing previous track?
Re:New Google Pixel 3, Pixel Slate, and Home Hub by gehsty on Wednesday October 10, 2018 @03:36PM (#18188167)
I think these are fairly minor improvements, most of what makes the airpods great is already there. I’d rule out anything that makes them more complicated (that is their best feature imo) just putting in them and work is amazing, and it’s even better that they pause whatever’s playing when you take them out.
Re:New Google Pixel 3, Pixel Slate, and Home Hub by bdcravens on Tuesday October 09, 2018 @04:23PM (#18179523)
AirPod battery life isn't great when you're using the mic too (think a Skype call) but the fact that you can use one at a time while other charges makes it pretty manageable.
Re:New Google Pixel 3, Pixel Slate, and Home Hub by wlesieutre on Tuesday October 09, 2018 @06:04PM (#18180209)
Good to know. My first thought for using a mic with a phone was for a "phone call" but I guess "skype call" works too ;)
Re:New Google Pixel 3, Pixel Slate, and Home Hub by bdcravens on Tuesday October 09, 2018 @10:57PM (#18181624)
I tend to make quick phone calls, but Skype/Zoom/etc on my computer calls tend to be of the 30 min - 2 hour variety, so that's where I see the most battery use :-)
Re:New Google Pixel 3, Pixel Slate, and Home Hub by cycrutchfield on Tuesday October 09, 2018 @03:10PM (#18178928)
Try not to spread FUD unless you've tried them. Airpods are excellent, and Apple was entirely justified in removing the headphone jack.
Re:New Google Pixel 3, Pixel Slate, and Home Hub by zokula on Tuesday October 09, 2018 @06:08PM (#18180238)
Yeah because Apple removing the headphone jack took lots of Courage didn't it?
Re:New Google Pixel 3, Pixel Slate, and Home Hub by xvector on Tuesday October 09, 2018 @07:14PM (#18180625)
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