HN user
I’m not a fan of most AI implementations to date, but I will say Google is clearly making a bold statement by trying to make the Pixel product lineup hardware to run AI front and center.
I wonder if the general public will care - they can be pretty unpredictable. People generally like party tricks and having an AI assistant to talk to may go farther than we nerds think.
A few issues I see with these (and all smart glasses): it cannot replace a phone, battery life will be terrible the first few years and it really doesn't solve the attention problem smartphones cause. I'd rather have an audio only device.
I only use my Apple Watch Ultra and one AirPods in for a better (albeit not perfect) solution to limiting screen time. I feel smart glasses exacerbates the problem. At least with a smart watch it can already make calls and send messages.
I started just having my cellular Apple Watch on me 6 years ago while leaving my phone at home. When everyone around me thought I was crazy I knew I was on to something.
I’m doubling down on this philosophy and keeping my phone in my drawer and couldn’t be happier.
This is a great write up on how to accomplish this, I hope someday Apple just allows the Apple Watch to work standalone.
Having said that, the Apple Watch is the primary reason I switched to the iPhone (and Apple ecosystem with it). I have been using the watch with cellular since April 2019 and I only take my phone with me on the rarest of occasions (usually for events that I want to snap pics or video or if I’m taking a day trip or on holiday). I’ve even taken just the watch on small holidays/trips by keeping my iPhone fully charged but on Wi-Fi to get all notifications.
Once I got used to the workflow I never looked back. I noticed I was more focused at work, at social events, dinners either the wife and family or friends while being more social and attentive, and noticed a huge overall improvement in mood and well being. Part of this is due to more focus on health and fitness and the Apple Watch certainly helped me stay motivated.
Since 2019 I’ve lost 25lbs, gained some muscle mass, I now compete in friendly running races and I’ve lowered my blood pressure. The Apple Watch truly is the most important gadget I’ve ever purchased and owned.
Yes indeed, I just used it yesterday.
Can anyone recommend a Google-free AOSP based phone with solid specs? Looking to jump ship from iOS and want something privacy focused but flexible and functional.
Good riddance to that, I say. Ad tech is bad user experience, period. We don’t need it. Don’t try to belittle someone for their opinion. Ass.
Android needs a video calling app built into the OS. I’m tired of calling family and friends on Zoom.
I do this every day. I leave my iPhone home and just use my Apple Watch and AirPods. Works great, and as long as my iPhone is on at home on WiFi it will relay just about everything.
THIS, among many other reasons, is why I (and my wife), switched to the iPhone.
This is nice, but what problem does it solve? Mobile and Desktop operating systems solve different issues on their own.
Ubuntu tried this - how'd that go?
Second issue is: how do I use it? How can I install it on MY devices?
I'm all for privacy and I want to is it, just seems like a dream and it will never come to fruition
I always enjoy Ben Thompson's insights, and I think he may have something here. But does anyone really feel comfortable that this strategy is going to keep them at the top?
Anyone who knows how to use a smartphone properly simply won't have security problems to deal with.
What difference does any of this make with iOS when we all know the US Gov't can simply access backdoors whenever they please? Don't fall for this security meme.
What does any of this matter when iCloud is a hacker's dream??
And I didn't ask if HN readers' phones CAN be hacked, I simply asked if they WERE asked. F off Elitist troll.
Has anyone else realized this article is almost a year old? I agree with the whole macOS exodus, as I was a Mac user of 9 years before switching to PC in mid-2015 (you know, when it wasn't yet cool to do so). At first I thought I made a huge mistake, but since then I built a powerful rig last summer and I love it. Windows 10 is fast, stable and reliable, three words I used to describe OS X when I switched to Mac in 2006.
As a former developer now Project Manager, I don't code much anymore, but I tinker with stuff every now and then. I got into gaming for the first time since I built a custom PC back in 2004, and you know what? I love it! I thought I was "past that" phase in my life, but I enjoy my Windows 10 Desktop PC.
I still miss the Mac, and man do I miss the retina screens! But I feel macOS is simply now a legacy product to Apple that they simply cannot afford to ditch, not so much for business - obviously that would be bad - but I think it would be much worse from a PR perspective more than anything. And the whole thing bothers me. I feel like macOS is now an obligation for Apple to string along, but its real focus is now iOS. We all know iOS is the future, who are we kidding? At least with Windows 10 I feel Microsoft is trying to add neat features and updates annually now, and since mobile passed them by in the dust they have to scramble desperately to get Windows 10 in the forefront of tech enthusiasts again. I think for developers it's working (or at least they're trying very hard). I'm kind of excited for built in VR functionality, ubuntu core (WSL) seems really promising for developers.
How to Disappear Completely is their most depressing song, ever.
err but Linux is mmer secure....derp derp
That's because it takes more work and knowledge to get a Linux machine running smoothly, so in the end you feel a sense of accomplishment, when in the end all that was done was just getting a local desktop OS running the way a computer should be used in the first place. It's all smoke and mirrors.
The Linux Desktop didn't die, because you simply can't kill something that never had life to begin with. Linux (as in the kernel) succeeds because it's free, flexible, stable and secure. But none of those words are "pretty", "aesthetic" or "powerful". And the DEs associated with Linux reflect this in every nature. OSX became the uber tech junkie's OS of choice, but with Apple's recent shenanigans these savvy enthusiasts and devs are also starting to use Windows again. And in the end it doesn't matter, the internet has taken over the desktop OS anyway.
I don't understand this whole "forced updates" FUD. Just configure the times you want your machine to be updated and it gets out of the way.
No offense mate, but if you're a manager at an architecture firm and you struggle with Windows upgrades and configuring the updates then perhaps you should find another profession, or hire better help. This stuff isn't rocket science.
Sorry to hear that, Razer is utter garbage. Not to mention they have the WORST customer support on the planet. I'd sell it mate, ASAP. Seriously, not joking. Sell it and get an XPS
Windows 10 gets a lot of flak, but it's honestly the best OS I have ever used. It's fast, stable, reliable and secure. Oh, and I should mention I'm a developer, and WSL is getting better with every release. Is it perfect? Heck no, but it's sure a lot better than Linux on the desktop and Macs are just not worth my money anymore.
Clickbaity article.
Ha. Yeah, even as a happy Win10 user I chuckled at that
^ this!
I agree wholeheartedly. I was hoping Canonical was going to be this but sadly they have been rather weak.
I use VcXsrv and it works fine. I edited my bashrc file so now when I open bash I can run any Linux GUI app I want. Piece of cake, runs great and stable, no issues.
right-click --> uninstall. Not difficult.
Thinkpads do have outstanding Linux (driver) support out of the box, indeed. But again, my issue isn't with driver support, it's with Linux desktop itself.
"forced updates, ads and telemetry"
Seriously - there is so much FUD about this it isn't funny anymore. What ads are you talking about? Sure, there are recommended apps (can be turned off), apps preinstalled (takes 30 secs to uninstall them) and telemetry (easily turn it all off in Settings).
So-called "developers" and tech enthusiasts are smart enough to get Linux up and running in a heatbeat yet struggle to turn a few things off in Windows that takes 1 minute at most to do. Please.
so...you don't like windows, and the last time you used it was XP? LOL, okay.