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AirPods libreated from Apple's ecosystem

(github.com)
1424 points moonleay | 1 comments | 16 Nov 25 00:01 UTC | HN request time: 0.195s | source
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roman_soldier ◴[16 Nov 25 09:52 UTC] No.45943899[source]▶
A lot of Apple products are designed to best work with other Apple products, that's part of their selling point. Would it not be easier to just buy non Apple headphones if you are not in the Apple eco system?
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1. guhidalg ◴[16 Nov 25 10:06 UTC] No.45943951[source]▶
“Work best” is giving Apple the benefit of the doubt here. The point of standards like Bluetooth is to avoid vendor lock-in and promote interoperability. If Apple chooses to leverage the spec to produce a product that has degraded functionality when used with other vendors, that goes against the spirit of the spec and makes it worthless.

You might argue, well why did Apple choose to use Bluetooth at all if they’re not going to participate in the interoperability motive? Because initially (think early iPhones) Apple did not design wireless communication modules and benefits from buying COTS from existing vendors.

So would it be easier to just participate in vendor lock-in? Let me ask you, do you enjoy being able to fill up a car at any gas station, or charge your car at any 120V outlet? Standards usually benefit everyone.