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AirPods Live Translation Blocked for EU Users With EU Apple Accounts
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Yeah sure, wonder how China can figure out something EU can’t. It’s so hard to know.
So they're not selling the device that can retranslate a dozen languages on the continent that features a dozen languages?!
They won't sell many in the UK. Most europeans learn English as their second language. There are few places on holiday that have a language barrier.
I did notice they apparently translate from The King's English to that weird thing they speak on the other side of the Atlantic though so they might be useful
They won't sell many in the UK. Most europeans learn English as their second language. There are few places on holiday that have a language barrier.
I did notice they apparently translate from The King's English to that weird thing they speak on the other side of the Atlantic though so they might be useful
Apple fans, " I like Apple because they value my privacy and I care about that"
Apple fans when privacy laws prevent an Apple feature, " Damn EU regulators from allowing a feature that I want to use!"
Apple fans when privacy laws prevent an Apple feature, " Damn EU regulators from allowing a feature that I want to use!"
Yeah, it made me so uncomfortable. The whole thing feels like something that sounds like a good idea on paper but in practice is awkward, impractical and insulting. Speaking to someone with headphones in awkward already; it feels like you don't have the person's full attention, having something like this means that the person you're speaking to isn't hearing what you're saying, just a computer voice that *may* be translating what you're saying. It feels like there's not even an attempt at trying to communicate and instead relying on 'AI'. It's like emailing someone that is clearly using ChatGPT to write their responses. You can tell and it's unnatural, insulting and awkward. You're going to have a much better experience (and be more warmly received) by at least trying to communicate yourself and using a translation app on your phone (without headphones) is fine. You've got to look like you at least care and want to try to communicate.
Usability in EU is low as very few languages are supported (as usual) so who cares? I agree, with no reason it is purely politics. MR want clicks and it works
If UE is doing this to protect consumers privacy & rights, then I am ok with GDRP and the likes. I actually wish we had similar regulations in Africa, but until Africa become a solid market we are not going to have any restriction except those imposed by Apple themself.
One of the reason we have account with foreign regions.
One of the reason we have account with foreign regions.
Especially considering Apple has nearly unlimited resources yet can’t figure out how to roll out such simple feature in EU. Gets to wonder why or Apple is just playing dumb.
Regulation is definitely necessary or else we’d be living in a wild world of Wild West where people just fiercely compete with each other for no end. But given where Apple one campus is, I can see why so many blames EU for “too much regulation”.
Why should Apple make an extra effort for the EU that keeps changing the rules.
I’ve been enough times to the US to always defend EU in nearly everything. No way I would change all the things I have here in Europe and my European life with anything in the US
Smart.
When considering the US and our citizenry, one must always remember that the vast majority of the population hasn't ever gone anywhere to get some outside perspective on what they are actually subjected to in daily life here.
Uk and European police would find this useful to talk to and communicate with the “new” residents about various issues …….
Agreed. Whilst I was genuinely impressed with what apple unveiled the other day, the live translate section had ‘actress from last of us ad campaign’ vibes ie heavily faked.
Well, the other option is for Apple to explicitly point out EU laws as the reason for the delay/block, which wouldn't seem wise for any professional company to do unless it's necessary. So if by "tactical", you mean professional/wise, then I agree not saying anything was a tactical move.
I can definitely see the EU objecting that the iPhone + AirPod integration that makes this feature as slick as it is (at least appears to be) isn't available to all BT headphones.
By blocking live translation in the EU Apple essentially admits they’re collecting and analyzing user data in order to make this feature work. Now where is the „intelligence“ in that? iPhones 15 Pro and newer are supposed to process these data on-device. Does anyone know… is being connected to the internet required for this to work?
If apple spent as much time & resources developing AI features, as it does defending its business model, Siri might not be a punchline to a joke.
I have the same and thus cheap Apple One with Fitness+ for years.
No they're not. See my post here for an alternate explanation:
So it would seem but according to EU, EU sells 75% value of services to US compared to what we buy from US. EU is selling less to US but not so much so it matters. According to your arguments, Spotify must be doing really well selling 75% of the value of Apple, MS, Google, etc combined sells to EU and that only to the US market! Guess what, EU companies need to follow every rule when selling anything to US so why not the reverse?Heh… EU based tech company?
Incidentally, China doesn’t force Apple to ensure every feature on the iPhone works with all the random non-Apple devices, so releasing it to China is no big deal. This is really just an EU problem created by Vestager and they let it happen!
"Likelihood of an EU based company is very low": needs must I am afraid and the looser are US companies loosing sales. I fail to understand the rationale.
So now suddenly the EU is deeply concerned with ‘privacy’ - after mandating and forcing under penalty of law that Apple open up and rewrite its secured operating system forcing them to allow side loading apps and outside payment systems - allowing any unvetted developer direct access to users devices - including personal data and payment information- bypassing an entire ecosystem of security features - both hardware and software that Apple has spent more than a decade developing?!
Ignoring the missing features let's you enjoy a nice three hour lunch with a few glasses of wine. What's wrong with that? (as I sit in Berlin drinking a few things)
Not likely. Apple had previously indicated this would happen due to the DMA. The DMA is still in place, Apple’s still a gatekeeper and it’s happening. So…
Apple hasn’t said, so we’re all guessing, but I think my guess is better.
Well, Apple could, of course, give other manufacturers the opportunity to also release live translation.
Before we misunderstand each other:
Apple doesn't need to make its live translation available for others, nor does it need to make its headphones available for this purpose.
It's just a matter of allowing other manufacturers to offer live translation for the iPhone with their own headphones (Samsung, for example). Apple won't do that because then they would have competition and would be competing.
In my opinion, it's just a gimmick to give Americans, who are addicted to shopping and craving recognition, an excuse to buy something new.
Without regulation you would be working 12 hour days in a factory 7 days a week.