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Tag: Apple (page 1 of 8)

December 28, 2019

AirPods Pro First Impressions From a Non-Audiophile

Here’s my super quick first take on the AirPods Pro:

Fit and Comfort

As you probably know, you can change the size of the tips. If the default tips pass the Fit Test, you will still want to try the other tips. Both the default tips and the smaller tips gave me a good seal and passed the Fit Test, so I went with the smaller ones as they were more comfortable. I must have a generic ear size, as the comfort of the AirPods Pro is about the same as my AirPods, and I can’t shake them out. I know some reviewers found that the AirPods Pro didn’t stay in as well as the AirPods, but that wasn’t my experience.

Audio quality

I hesitate to even mention audio quality, as I haven’t yet done a side by side test, so my impressions on audio quality are just quick first impressions. That said, the sound quality didn’t immediately blow me away as noticeably different from my first generation AirPods. Keep in mind that I’m not an audiophile, I haven’t done a side by side comparison, and I mostly listen to spoken word.

Latency

Latency is improved over the first generation AirPods. I have an AirFly Classic wireless audio transmitter hooked up to the TV by my treadmill, for when I’m watching sports or other shows on the TiVo instead of using the Apple TV. The latency with the first generation AirPods, when connected to the AirFly, was so severe as to be too distracting to use. In my limited use of the AirPods Pro, the lag is still there, but improved. I can live with it.

Noise Canceling

Assuming the noise canceling is similar on a plane (which other reviews suggest it is), it will be good enough for me to no longer have an interest in buying a high-end pair of headphones. I had a funny moment when I activated noise canceling while walking on the treadmill, nearly eliminating noise from the treadmill. I thought the treadmill had stopped until I realized my legs were still moving.

 

Overall

If I never flew, my first generation AirPods would be fine. But since I’ve been considering noise canceling headphones for flights, having a pair of jack-of-all-trades earbuds is a win.


January 25, 2019

TiVo Coming to the Apple TV and Other Devices →

Jared Newman, writing for TechHive:

As announced during CES, TiVo will release apps for Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices in the second quarter of this year. Apps for Apple TV and Android TV will follow in the third quarter.

If you have a TiVo that supports transcoding (including the Roamio Pro, Roamio Plus, Bolt, Bolt Vox, and Bolt OTA), these apps will let you stream live and recorded video to another TV, either at home or on the road. For other TiVo devices that lack transcoding, such as the entry-level Roamio or Roamio OTA, you’ll need a separate TiVo Stream box to use the apps.

This is huge news. Well, for me at least. I have an Apple TV, but not a TiVo Mini, hooked up to the TV at my treadmill. I get some shows to that TV by running cTiVo on a Mac mini. cTiVo is an app that automatically downloads shows off my TiVo, formats them, and adds them to my Plex library and iTunes library.

The problem for me is that there are frequent glitches in the process, and shows never make it into iTunes or Plex. I hope the app lets me eliminate this whole setup.

One catch is that the apps will only support video at 720p and 30 frames per second. In my current setup, shows come through at 720p, but at 60 frames per second. It remains to be seen how noticeable this will be to my non-discerning eyes.

Even with the resolution and FPS limitations, this is another great benefit of the TiVO ecosystem. I had previously toyed with going to a streaming television service, but this alone will enough to keep with my TiVo, which I love. Of course, let’s see if TiVo delivers the Apple TV app in the third quarter, as the announcement indicates.


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August 28, 2018

AirPort Express firmware update lets you use external speakers with your HomePod →

Zac Hall writing for 9to5Mac:

Apple’s AirPort line may be discontinued, but AirPort Express got one heck of an update today. Firmware update 7.8 for the latest AirPort Express hardware (2012 2nd-gen model, no longer sold) adds support for AirPlay 2 and Apple’s Home app.

If you’re like me, one feature holding you back from switching from a Sonos system to the HomePod is the ability to connect to external speakers. With my Sonos Connect, I’m able to hook my Sonos system into the ceiling speakers in my home, and play the same music over my ceiling speakers and my standalone Sonos. I pondered how I’d do this with the HomePod. It looks like this update fills that gap, since the AirPort Express has a port to connect to external speakers, and can now sync with the HomePod. Now the only obstacle for me is the price of switching systems, and getting the AirPort Express properly configured to not broadcast a network.


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July 13, 2018

Apple discontinues its own photo printing service, recommends third-party Photos Projects apps instead →

Benjamin Mayo writing for 9to5Mac:

Apple is discontinuing its Photo Print Products service, which has been integrated into iPhoto since its launch in 2002. The service expanded from simple prints, to albums, photo books, and calendars.

Maybe I’m a dinosaur, but I used this service every year to make a Mother’s Day calendar for my wife and our daughter’s grandmothers. The story does mention some third-party apps that include Photos Projects extensions, so this isn’t a complete loss. Still, I’m sad to see it go. I hope the third-party solutions are as elegant as the Apple solution.


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May 11, 2018

Fix Your Contact List with a Centralized System →

Ryan Gray, writing at ryangray.co:

Of course, you can easily share one of your cards with anyone nearby (and get theirs). But a shared card is not just sent once. It’s a subscription. If you change your phone number or if you move you’ll be able to push the updates out to anyone who is subscribed. You’ll also be able to block anyone, revoke access, or prevent someone from sharing your card. Conversely you’ll be able to upgrade to the next level. For example if you become close friends with a coworker, they’ll be able to request access to the Close Friends version of your card. You’ll also be in control of what of your information can be shared with third party developers.

This article hits on a great concept – a better way to share your contact information with others that keeps you in control of that information, and also keeps your information up to date as it changes. Ryan Gray wants a privacy-oriented tech company (Apple) to come up with a cross-platform and centralized solution.

I love the idea, but worry that something like this wouldn’t gain enough traction. My contact information is half of the equation. The organization of my own list of contacts is the other half. My contact list is filled with duplicates and outdated data, as well as contacts I haven’t touched in 20 years. If the people in my contact list don’t embrace or trust a system like this, I’m not much better off. But we have to start somewhere, and this is the best idea I’ve heard.


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