The Vergecast
AirPods are good for your (hearing) health
· Summarized
Key takeaways
- Regularly reevaluating your digital feeds can help align your interests with personal growth.
- Smart rings are evolving, and understanding their strengths and weaknesses is essential for making informed purchasing decisions.
- Apple's new hearing health features in AirPods Pro 2 have the potential to change how users engage with their hearing health, advocating easier access to hearing support.
- Nintendo's strong financial position and successful branding make it unlikely for the company to be acquired by larger tech firms like Apple.
Summary
Feed Reboot and Smart Rings Introduction
David Pierce shares an annual ritual of cleaning out his digital feeds, encouraging listeners to do the same, highlighting how interests can evolve over time. The episode then shifts to a discussion of smart rings, reflecting on their recent popularity and the various new products on the market, setting the stage for a deep dive into a smart ring battle royale.
Smart Ring Battle Royale
Victoria Song examines her extensive testing of six different smart rings to determine which stands out in both functionality and design. The conversation addresses the evolution of smart rings and their purpose, the various brands in competition, and the results of the tests, including the disappointing performances of certain lesser contenders. Ultimately, the Oura Ring is declared the winner, benefiting from its experience and established functionality.
Hearing Health and Apple's AirPods Pro 2
Chris Welch discusses the new hearing health features introduced in Apple’s AirPods Pro 2, including a smartphone-enabled hearing test. The test covers users' hearing capacity across five levels, identifying potential issues while also encouraging participants to engage with their hearing health. The conversation emphasizes how these features may revolutionize hearing aid accessibility and elevate user experiences with hearing protection at various noise levels.
Discussion on Apple and Nintendo
The podcast concludes with a thought-provoking discussion prompted by a listener question about the potential for Apple to buy Nintendo. Andrew Webster mentions why Nintendo likely won't sell, given its substantial financial standing and unique identity as a company. They explore the implications of such a sale, considering how Apple would influence Nintendo's gaming approach, and the potential consequences for development under corporate control.
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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:
We tested six smart rings, and there’s a clear winner
Oura Ring 4 review: still on top — for now
Apple’s AirPods Pro hearing health features are as good as they sound
Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 could forever change how people access hearing aids
Super Mario Run hands-on: like Mario, just simpler
Microsoft’s Phil Spencer says acquiring Nintendo would be ‘a career moment’
Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you.
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