This is just disgusting... “Beats”, Apple's ultra-pricey line of headphones, uses marketing that's so deceitful that one can only imagine it's done to purposefully trick and deceive.
Some of their headphone models are not “wireless”, which means like headphones of yesteryear, when in use they must be physically tethered to your audio device by a cable. That's fine, but their marketing photos don't show the headphones with a cable, only without.
As an example, here's a search at Amazon for “beats studio wireless”:
On the page for the NOT wireless product, we have these product images:
Nary a cable in sight. Remember, this is for a product that requires a cable.
To be clear, the cable can be removed for storage, or to let you swap out a different cable or whatnot, so it's reasonable to illustrate that by including a photo of the headphones without the cable. But nevertheless, the product is totally useless without a cable, so to show only photos of it without a cable seems deceptive.
These photos are almost exactly the same as those for their wireless models (models that can be used without a cable); they have the same six views of the ever-so-slightly-different look of the different model.
Furthermore, there's nothing in the product description that indicates a cable is required. There's not even a hint. If you didn't already know to be wary of this company's marketing and to look for the absence of an explicit “wireless” mention, you'd be forgiven for thinking these were, as shown, wireless headphones.
Now, you might think that one shouldn't need to mention every feature a product doesn't have; the headphones are not glow-in-the-dark, and I don't feel it's a problem that they don't say “not glow in the dark”... unless they showed a photo of them glowing in the dark. Then I'd expect clarification.
It's not just Amazon.... the product page at Apple.com is equally deceptive, with nothing at all to indicate that a cable is required. Even worse, their product page for the wireless model does show an image of a cable, even though the cable is not required for their use.
So, they show a cable where it's not required, but don't show one where it is. Super sleazy.
At least on Amazon, the reviews can clue you in, with review titles like “有線なので注意” (“These require a cable, so take care”).
I've been an Apple shareholder for a long time, and by looking at the stock price one knows they're doing a lot of things right, but it's still so disappointing to see them so clearly lose their way in some areas, such as the now-moronic design of iTunes, the lack of family-oriented iPhone features, or this kind of trick-you marketing. Sigh.
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV + EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM @ 73mm — 1/200 sec, f/6.3, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
My Cycling Style as of Late
me plodding along at 46 kph (28 mph) during a race last month
photo by FABtroni+camera; used with permission
The photo above was kindly provided on Flickr by someone going by the name “FABtroni+camera”. I appreciate it.
The sport of racquetball involves a high-speed ball in a confined space, so when I started playing in college, I stopped by a sporting-goods store for a pair of racquetball safety goggles. The clerk commented that I was the first person he'd sold a pair to who didn't already have a black eye.
Long-term readers of my blog will know that I've gone through phases in my choice of cycling wear, from jeans on my first ride to hiking/gym wear that I already had, then to visually outlandish (but visually safe) gym wear, eventually morphing to the more-traditional cycling style seen above. That photo is from my first race last month (where I performed pathetically, but that's a story for another time).
(The mask that my apparently-sensitive tonsils forces me to wear is definitely not traditional; the UnderArmour long-sleeve base layer that I wore to avoid sunburn on the 100+km round trip to/from the race is also not traditional.)
Anyway, I'm ready to move to the next step, if I can find it. I'm looking for apparel that provides some semblance of protection in case of a crash. The most common issues with a minor crash are road rash and/or a broken collarbone, so clothes that provide some passive protection in these areas would be good to wear as a matter of habit.
Unlike with the racquetball story, I'm not quite shutting the barn doors before the horses have escaped. I had a wake-up-call crash a few weeks ago that was apparently horrific to wittiness, but caused relatively little damage. I'd like to tilt the odds next time in the same direction by incorporating a bit of extra protection in my clothes.
With all the middle-aged men like me with disposable income and a newly-found sense of mortality, you'd think that the market would be an attractive one to enter, but it seems there's very little out there. I'll describe the best I've found so far, but I'd love to hear more ideas...
Dainese Trailknit Pro Armor Tee
For the upper body, I'm thinking of an abrasion-resistant jersey, such as a Scott RC ProTec or a Pegasus Wear Manifesto, over a baselayer Dainese Trailknit Pro Armor Tee. The latter provides some light (and removable) impact protection, while the abrasion-resistant jersey would help reduce road rash.
They're quite pricey, but less so than new skin.
Things are a bit more difficult for the lower body, because I don't like the padding in standard cycling wear. It makes people look like they're wearing a diaper embroidered with “HEY, DON'T NOTICE MY CROTCH! THIS CROTCH RIGHT HERE... DON'T LOOK AT IT”.
Apparently my butt is sufficiently strong that I don't need the padding, so normally I just wear Speedo trunks. Even seasoned cyclists I ride with all the time don't notice I'm not wearing cycling-specific shorts until it happens to come up in conversation, and then they're shocked. They're shocked both because I can ride long distances without any padding (for example, this 290km ride), and shocked that I would make such an affront to the Cycling Style Gods. They're like little kids who skin their knee but don't start crying until you point out that they're bleeding.
I'm wearing Speedo trunks in the photo above.
Anyway, I don't need padding between me and the bicycle seat, but I do want padding where cyclists are often injured in a crash: over the tailbone, over the outside edges of the butt/hip, and over the sides of the thighs.
The three companies mentioned above do make lower-body versions of their products (Dainese TrailKnit Shorts, Scott ProTec Bibshorts, and Pegasus Wear Manifesto Bib Shorts), so I could try the same kind of combination, but here I'm more worried about the bulk.
The Dainese TrailKnit padded shorts seem to provide really minimal padding, so instead I could try something with a bit more protection, such as Shock Doctor Shockskin 5-Pad Impact Shorts or Fox Racing Titan Race Liner Short. They provide more coverage with the padding, but the padding just foam pads, so still protection is still minimal.
I'd much rather see padding made from one of the amazing force-distribution materials developed in the last decade, such as ArmourGel and SofShell. They look like they'd be perfect when sewn into an abrasion-resistant set of shorts, but sadly, as best as I can tell, neither product has actually made it to market yet. 🙁
As for the helmet, I've upgraded from my Costco helmet to one with MIPS Technology, which adds quite a bit to the price, but is said to help greatly in off-axis impacts that would normally twist the head like a boxer getting plastered by a left hook. The rotational shock is apparently a big causes of knock-outs in boxers and concussions in cyclists.
Here's a video that explains MIPS well, and another one that shows the extra testing for MIPS helmets. I'll also be sure to get MIPS when I upgrade my motorcycle helmet.
A friend here in Kyoto crashed at high speed a couple of days ago, and the shattered state of his helmet showed that it most certainly saved his life. He did end up with a concussion, though, and I wonder whether a MIPS helmet would have prevented that. The problem is that high-end helmets are extremely expensive in Japan (the MIPS version of my friend's helmet is on the order of $700 in Japan, which is a lot cheaper than death, but this kind of comparison feels real only in hindsight).
Update: I've also found the Fox Ascent Pro line (jersey, bib shorts), which uses craspace abrasion-resistant fabric.
The other day in “March’s Higashiyama Hanatoro Lightup”, I mentioned a business called “Happy Bicycle” (web site / Facebook) near the Yasaka pagoda.
The shop is run by a guy from Chile who chats amiably with customers as he crafts a wire into the shape of a bicycle. Other than the pedals, he uses just one piece of wire for the whole bike.
He's got all the different styles... mamachari city bikes, kids' bikes, mountain bikes, race bikes... I even noticed a pennyfarthing.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 800 — image data
Lots of Detail
tire pumps, bottles, baskets, mirrors, derailleurs, brake calipers, fenders...
I had a nice chat with the proprietor, but unfortunately didn't take all that many pictures during this visit, figuring I'd stop in again later when I had more time. I hope I do.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — 1/50 sec, f/1.4, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
some little temple in Kyoto
Sorry for the recent dearth of new content... I've been feeling remarkably unmotivated. At least I'm finally getting around to writing this post, which I've been wanting to do for the last three months.
Every year in March, just before cherry-blossom season, the Higashiyama area of Kyoto has a light-up event. I first blogged about it nine years ago, and again three years ago. This year I took a lazy stroll with some friends and a tripod, snapping some photos along the way.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 5600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Big Gate
at the Chion-in Temple (知恩院), prior to the best light
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/100 sec, f/1.6, ISO 1400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Slowly-Encroaching Dusk
Maruyama Park (円山公園)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/100 sec, f/1.6, ISO 1400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Nene-no-Michi Street
lined with lanterns for the event
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/100 sec, f/1.6, ISO 2000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Art Installation
and a lady wearing a shopping bag on her head
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/100 sec, f/1.6, ISO 1800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Photo Op
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/80 sec, f/3.5, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Restaurant Entrance
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 1000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Temple Entrance
Entoku-in Temple (圓徳院)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 1400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Kyoto Night View
my photos of this view always look so much worse than reality
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/10 sec, f/4, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Road To the Kiyomizu Temple
so much nicer than when the view was filled with utility cables
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — 3 sec, f/4.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Delicate Flower Sconces
on the wall on the left
It was dark so I was taking these with a tripod, and the light would change considerably as cars and people moved by, so the shot above and below have a different feel due to the different color light.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 2.5 sec, f/2.2, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Flowing Crowd
gets blurred a bit during a 2.5-second exposure
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 1600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Happy Bicycle
I've written about this place here: Kyoto’s “Happy Bicycle” Craft Shop
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — 1/50 sec, f/1.4, ISO 800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Rich Light
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — 1/13 sec, f/1.4, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Road To the Chion-in Temple
looks much nicer in real life than this photo
The photo would have been improved marginally if the big gate seen in this post's second photo was lit up, as it is sometimes.
What an ordeal. I spent almost eight hours at a SoftBank mobile-phone store today, trying to get some new phones set up. I have the phones in hand, but I'm still only halfway there.
The two-year contract for my and my son's iPhones is up for renewal this month. We've been with provider Docomo, and if we stick with them for a two-year renewal, our thanks is a 60% price increase(!) So, I'm moving to SoftBank, where for the same price we would have had for our two old phones, we get upgraded to the latest iPhones, and also add in another iPhone for my wife for essentially free.
And as another bonus, the SIM-lock can be removed after half a year, as opposed to Docomo, which refused to remove the SIM-lock on the new phone I'd paid full-price cash for.
So, that's the good news. The bad news is that it took almost eight hours to get the purchase done. It was ridiculous. Much of the problem came from the SoftBank store manager, who was either too sloppy about things, or perhaps purposefully over-promising early on in the hopes that once committed I'd not hold him to his word later on. I dunno.
Part of the problem may not be SoftBank's (or the manager's) fault, but whatever organization they use for credit checks. They entered umpteen permutations of my name in English and Japanese, along with various supporting documentation (passport, residency card, utility bill, etc.), and had to wait 15~20 minutes each time for the answer to come back. And wait we did, as the manager literally just sat there pressing “refresh” on his order-entry iPad, over and over and over again until the result (rejection) came in.
At one point he'd run out of ideas with what I had on me, so I ran home to get my passport and some utility bills. He neglected to say that the utility bills had to display my home address on them, which almost killed things, but luckily one of the ones I happened to bring did have my address on it.
After so many failures, he even suggested that maybe my 14-year-old son could be the owner of record. This was just ridiculous. But luckily, after about five hours, the approval came through and he quickly set up my new phone, as well as my son's.
When I asked about my wife's new phone, he said “Oh, that's in Uji”. Uji is a city to the south, perhaps an hour's drive away during an off-season rush-hour like today. Early on he'd said there's be no problem getting all the phones today, and now that he had confessed that it was so far away, he suggested to set up a temporary phone for her and have it swapped to the real one another day.
I got a bit testy and said I expected him to do what he said. There was some thought that he'd personally go to pick it up, which would take hours. In the end, someone from that store brought it via the train, so that saved half of a round trip. It still took more than 90 minutes.
Finally, it shows up and I'm about ready to sign the final contract and suddenly the price is $20/month more than he'd told me earlier. He casually explains about how they weren't able to get such-and-such a discount to stick for one of the three phones, so the price is higher. NO! More than a bit testy, I told him that I expected him to honor the price he told me, and that any issues about how to arrive at it is not my problem.
All that settled, I return home, but my problems were just beginning.
I hooked up my wife's new phone to her computer so that I could restore it from an iTunes backup, and was told that the phone requires a newer version of iTunes. Unfortunately, there is no newer version of iTunes for the version of OSX on her computer.
So, that means that we have to upgrade her operating system, but her computer is so old that it's probably not supported by Apple, which means we probably have to get a new computer for her. Such fun.
Not wanting to deal with any of that now, I just backed up her old phone to my modern computer, and then restored her new phone from that backup. It all seemed to work fine, except I guess music is not part of an iPhone backup, so all her music is gone.
Sigh. Modern smartphones are super convenient, but when things don't go smoothly, it's a special little slice of hell.