Hacker News with Generative AI: Consumer Tech

USB-C gets a bit more universal as the EU's mandate goes into effect (arstechnica.com)
"It's time for THE charger," the European Commission posted to X on December 28, 2024. While the sentiment only applies to one continent (and not all of it) and only certain devices, the Common Charger Directive now in effect in the European Union suggests that far fewer gadgets will foist barrels, USB-micro, or proprietary plugs onto their owners.

Technology, Legislation, Europe, Consumer Tech

4 points by ksec 15 days ago | 3 comments

Apple reviving its discontinued AirPort router has never looked more likely (9to5mac.com)
Once upon a time, Apple made Wi-Fi routers called AirPorts. But the company abandoned the router scene with its last AirPort discontinued in 2018. Now, a slew of recent rumors provide hope that a new AirPort could be on the way.

Apple, Wi-Fi Routers, Consumer Tech, Rumors

7 points by ksec 36 days ago | 0 comments

YouTube TV is hiking prices again after denying "erroneous" report days ago (arstechnica.com)
YouTube TV, now one of the country's leading cable (or cable-ish) television providers, is starting to act like it. The service told customers in an email this morning that prices are going up in the new year, from $73 per month for the Base Plan to $83 on January 13, 2025—just days after suggesting that wasn't happening.

YouTube TV, Streaming Services, Price Increases, Business, Consumer Tech

7 points by LinuxBender 37 days ago | 2 comments

Why Am I Paying a Premium Price for a Google Pixel Phone Filled with Ads? (ycombinator.com)
I really don’t understand what I’m paying the premium price for with my Google Pixel. The constant ads, especially in apps like YouTube, are incredibly frustrating. I expected a smooth, ad-free experience, but instead, I’m bombarded with ads at every turn. The same or even better hardware is available at a much lower price, without these interruptions. So, what exactly am I paying extra for?

Google Pixel, Advertising, Consumer Tech, Smartphones, Value

13 points by de6u99er 38 days ago | 13 comments

Dolby Atmos for music streaming is a waste of time (pocket-lint.com)

Dolby Atmos, Music Streaming, Audio Technology, Consumer Tech

18 points by vednig 40 days ago | 17 comments

Apple's mouse is so bad that Tim Cook prefers using a different brand for work (glassalmanac.com)
In the world of sleek tech design, Apple’s Magic Mouse stands out for its minimalist aesthetic. But when it comes to practical use, even Apple CEO Tim Cook seems to admit that beauty doesn’t always equal functionality. His recent revelation about his preferred work setup has sparked discussions about the compromises Apple’s flagship mouse might bring to the table.

Apple, Hardware, Consumer Tech, Design, User Experience

53 points by miles 61 days ago | 97 comments

The Broken Promise of USB-C: We'll Never Get a Universal Cable (theatlantic.com)
We’ll never get a universal cable.

Technology, USB-C, Consumer Tech, Standards

27 points by bookofjoe 76 days ago | 58 comments

Apple put the Magic Mouse's charging port on the bottom, again (theverge.com)
Apple’s new USB-C-equipped Magic Mouse somehow still has the charging port on the bottom.

Apple, Hardware Design, Consumer Tech, User Experience

6 points by redbell 81 days ago | 4 comments

Microsoft asking us to buy new Windows 11 PCs is wasteful (xda-developers.com)

Microsoft, Windows 11, Consumer Tech, Technology, Opinion

54 points by josephcsible 90 days ago | 65 comments

Phone 16 Pro Demand Has Been Lower Than Expected, Analyst Says (macrumors.com)
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said demand for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max has been "lower than expected" since the devices became available to pre-order in the U.S. and dozens of other countries on Friday.

Apple, iPhone, Smartphones, Sales, Consumer Tech

12 points by mgh2 124 days ago | 0 comments

Apple will charge more to swap your iPhone 16 Pro battery (theverge.com)
Apple has hiked the price of its battery repair service for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. Now, it will cost $119 to get your battery replaced in either phone — a $20 jump over its older fee.

Apple, iPhone, Battery, Price Increases, Consumer Tech

28 points by thunderbong 124 days ago | 63 comments

HP blocks printing with non-HP inks (ycombinator.com)
HP blocks printing with non-HP inks

Printers, HP, Consumer Tech, Software

7 points by ColinWright 125 days ago | 8 comments

The $129 AirPods 4 Have Features the $549 AirPods Max Don't (wired.com)
If Apple wanted to bury the fact it’s leaving its most expensive headphones as the least technically capable in its lineup, it didn’t do a very good job.

Apple Products, Audio, Consumer Tech, Headphones

12 points by impish9208 126 days ago | 1 comments

Redbox app axed, dashing people's hopes of keeping purchased content (arstechnica.com)

Redbox, Streaming, Business, Consumer Tech, Mobile Apps

11 points by alphabettsy 152 days ago | 3 comments

Opinion: I'd rather have a headphone jack and a microSD slot than AI in my phone (ycombinator.com)

Smartphones, Consumer Tech, Opinion, Hardware

127 points by mouse_ 182 days ago | 94 comments

Humane AI – Pico Laser Projection – AI Twist on an Old Scam (2023) (kguttag.com)

Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Consumer Tech, Scam, Innovation

260 points by abhinavk 276 days ago | 267 comments