iPhone x "AirPods" and "Beats" notification reading function has become very convenient

The latest iPhones and iPads (iOS and iPadOS) have a feature called "Read App Notifications".

This feature requires a compatible headset and compatible app. Moreover, when the corresponding iOS / iPadOS was released, the only compatible application was the standard "Message" application, so even though I had a compatible headset, I said, "Hmm, I don't use it!" I had left it.

However, recently, when I checked the menu of this function, I noticed that the number of compatible applications has increased surprisingly.

No, it's increasing, and it supports almost all apps that are likely to send out notifications.

If you turn on this function, Siri will read out the notification when you receive a notification while wearing a compatible headset. If you miss it, that's about it.

I wear Apple Watch almost all the time, and I can check notifications without taking out my iPhone, but it's comfortable not having to take out my iPhone one by one. If you take out your iPhone often, you tend to spend extra time and reduce the risk of your hand slipping and dropping it. Even in restaurants, the risk of losing the iPhone is reduced because the iPhone is no longer placed on the table.

In some ways, the Apple Watch is more convenient than voice, but you can do a lot of similar things. Headsets that support this reading function also support the function of activating Siri hands-free with "Hey Siri", so you can check the time, weather, and schedule without an iPhone. Not only the Apple Watch, but the AirPods can reclaim the time you spend checking your iPhone.

Headsets that support this notification reading function (and Hey Siri function) are headsets equipped with Apple chipsets. The AirPods series and some Beats brand products are compatible.

Personally, I recommend a product with an external sound capture mode (hear-through), even if it is a little expensive. If you put it in the external sound capture mode, you can hear conversations normally, so you can keep wearing it without taking it off. This is an important point because if you don't wear it even when you're not listening to music, you'll miss notifications. In addition, the model with external sound capture mode also has a noise canceling function, so it is convenient when you want to concentrate on your work.

“AirPods Pro” (30,580 yen) is also good as a model with an external sound capture mode, but the Beats brand “Beats Fit Pro” (24,800 yen) can enhance the fit with wing tips. So I recommend it. "AirPods Max" also has an external sound capture mode, but this is a large headphone, and no one will talk if you wear it, so it is not suitable for wearing all the time.

However, the fact is that headsets with Apple chipsets can be used with one ear, so if you're just wearing one ear to receive notifications, you can use it for external sounds. No problem with products that do not have capture mode. Rather, if you use it with both ears, you need to put both ears in the charging case when the battery runs out, and even if one ear becomes itchy after wearing it for a long time, you can wear it on another ear, so that's the way to go. can be said to be worn at all times.

If you don't need the external sound capture mode, the cheapest price is "AirPods (2nd generation)" at 16,800 yen, but currently "Powerbeats Pro" is 12,800 yen at mass retailers. It's sold at about 100%, so if you want it cheaper, I recommend that one (I don't know how long the discount will last). The "Powerbeats Pro" has a hook, so the design is a little large, but it's easy to use while running, and you don't have to worry about dropping it in the toilet.

, which I love. Ear Duo", AfterShokz Aratame Shokz products, ambie products that are worn on the earlobe, etc. Headsets that do not block the ear holes are comfortable.

Unfortunately, headsets that do not block these ear holes do not exist in the AirPods series or Beats products. In terms of functionality, "Xperia Ear Duo" was very high-performance, such as being able to read notifications even on iOS, but it had the drawback that charging and connection problems were likely to occur, and there was no successor product that solved those drawbacks. .

Devices that access smart functions by voice alone are called "hearables", but this device genre is not exciting. "Hearable" can be a very important device depending on how it is used, freeing the palm and eyes from minor errands, but it is surprisingly not exciting.

It's not exciting, but Apple has made steady improvements even in such a product genre, and has created a situation where smartphones are unnecessary for small errands without knowing it. I don't know if hearables will end without excitement in the future, but for the time being, if you have a compatible product, why not try using this notification reading function?