AirPods are good for your (hearing) health

Update: 2024-10-22

Digest

The episode begins with a discussion about the importance of periodically "rebooting" your internet feeds, unfollowing accounts and unsubscribing from newsletters that are no longer relevant. The hosts then delve into the current state of smart rings, highlighting the recent surge in new models and the challenges of finding a truly compelling use case for the technology. They then explore the new hearing health features on the AirPods Pro 2, including a hearing aid mode and hearing tests, discussing the potential impact of these features on the hearing aid market and the implications for headphone use in general. The episode then explores the question of why Apple hasn't bought Nintendo, considering their vast resources and Nintendo's success in gaming. The discussion delves into Nintendo's financial stability, their reluctance to sell, and Apple's potential interest in acquiring the company. The hosts then explore the potential consequences of Apple acquiring Nintendo, considering two scenarios: a positive one where Apple Arcade becomes a hub for Nintendo games and a negative one where Nintendo's games become filled with microtransactions. The episode concludes with a discussion about the potential downsides of Apple acquiring Nintendo, suggesting that Nintendo's current independence allows for creative freedom and a focus on quality over profit maximization.

Outlines

00:00:00

Rebooting Your Internet Feeds and Smart Rings

00:42:02

AirPods Pro 2: Hearing Health Features and Apple's Gaming Problem

The hosts explore the new hearing health features on the AirPods Pro 2, including a hearing aid mode and hearing tests, discussing the potential impact of these features on the hearing aid market and the implications for headphone use in general. The episode then explores the question of why Apple hasn't bought Nintendo, considering their vast resources and Nintendo's success in gaming.

01:06:43

Apple Acquiring Nintendo: Potential Impact and Scenarios

The discussion delves into Nintendo's financial stability, their reluctance to sell, and Apple's potential interest in acquiring the company. The hosts then explore the potential consequences of Apple acquiring Nintendo, considering two scenarios: a positive one where Apple Arcade becomes a hub for Nintendo games and a negative one where Nintendo's games become filled with microtransactions.

01:15:14

The Value of Nintendo's Independence and Future Speculation

The episode concludes with a discussion about the potential downsides of Apple acquiring Nintendo, suggesting that Nintendo's current independence allows for creative freedom and a focus on quality over profit maximization. The hosts speculate on Nintendo's future, considering whether they will remain independent or eventually be acquired by a larger company.

Keywords

Feed Reboot

The process of periodically reviewing and removing unwanted content from online feeds, such as social media accounts, email newsletters, and RSS feeds. This helps to streamline information intake and ensure that feeds remain relevant to current interests.

Smart Ring

A wearable device worn on a finger that typically incorporates sensors for tracking health data, such as heart rate, sleep patterns, and activity levels. Smart rings are often marketed as a more discreet alternative to smartwatches.

Hearing Aid Mode

A feature on certain headphones that allows them to function as hearing aids, amplifying sound and adjusting frequencies to compensate for hearing loss. This feature is designed to provide a more affordable and discreet alternative to traditional hearing aids.

Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids

Hearing aids that can be purchased directly from retailers without a prescription. The FDA recently approved the sale of over-the-counter hearing aids, making them more accessible to a wider range of consumers.

Ecosystem Lock-in

A situation where a user becomes dependent on a specific platform or ecosystem, making it difficult to switch to other options. This can be a concern with devices like smart rings and headphones that are tightly integrated with a particular operating system or app ecosystem.

Nintendo

A Japanese multinational video game company known for its iconic franchises like Mario, Zelda, and Pokémon. Nintendo has a long history of innovation in gaming, from the NES to the Switch, and is known for its family-friendly games and unique gameplay experiences.

Apple Arcade

A subscription-based gaming service offered by Apple, providing access to a curated library of games for a monthly fee. Apple Arcade aims to offer a premium gaming experience with exclusive titles and ad-free gameplay.

Microtransactions

In-game purchases that allow players to acquire virtual items, currency, or advantages. Microtransactions have become a common monetization model in free-to-play games, but they can be controversial due to their potential for predatory practices.

Q&A

What are the main benefits of periodically "rebooting" your internet feeds?
Rebooting your feeds helps to streamline information intake, ensure that feeds remain relevant to current interests, and prevent information overload.
What are the key challenges of designing a compelling smart ring?
Smart rings face challenges such as limited battery life, small size, and the need to find a clear and useful application that justifies the cost and complexity.
How do the new hearing health features on the AirPods Pro 2 work?
The AirPods Pro 2 include a hearing aid mode that amplifies sound and adjusts frequencies based on a user's hearing test results. They also offer hearing protection features that automatically reduce loud noises.
What are the potential implications of Apple's new hearing health features for the hearing aid market?
Apple's features could make hearing aids more accessible and affordable, potentially disrupting the traditional hearing aid market. However, there are concerns about the potential for ecosystem lock-in and the impact on smaller hearing aid companies.
Why hasn't Apple bought Nintendo, given their vast resources and Nintendo's success in gaming?
Nintendo is financially stable and doesn't need to sell. They are happy being Nintendo and have a board of directors that prioritizes their current success over growth.
What would the world look like if Apple owned Nintendo?
There are two potential scenarios: a positive one where Apple Arcade becomes a hub for Nintendo games and a negative one where Nintendo's games become filled with microtransactions.
Is there a chance that Apple will ever acquire Nintendo?
It's difficult to predict the future, but Nintendo has proven resilient and adaptable. They have a strong brand and a loyal fanbase, making them a valuable asset. However, their independence allows for creative freedom and a focus on quality over profit maximization.

Show Notes

The Verge's Victoria Song joins the show to talk about her year of testing smart rings, and which of the many new options is the one you should buy. Then Chris Welch takes us through his testing of the new hearing health features for Apple's AirPods, including the surprisingly intense hearing test you can take right on your phone. Finally, Andrew Webster helps us answer a question on the Vergecast Hotline: why doesn't Apple buy Nintendo, and what would happen if it did?

Further reading: