Cute, but what problem does this solve? Regardless of what you feel about any particular platform, consolidating multiple pieces of functionality into the highly integrated smartphone platform was a major step forward in mobility. This just feels like a regression.
Tbf you can still get a phone with a headphone jack, and with a ton of space. Not that you need a crazy amount for music anyway.
Also confused about the internet connection part. Even if you only use music streaming services, most let you download your music for offline listening.
I'm okay with the idea of a piece of tech meant to do a single thing, do it well for hours on end on one charge, while not spying on me in creative ways
There are $10 adapters that convert USB-C to a 3.5 mm port, if that is critical. Or just get any of the wide variety of Bluetooth devices on the market.
A 3.5mm jack costs fractions of a cent, and I don't have to carry around a $10 dollar adapter to solve an artificial problem.
Bluetooth sucks badly, and the wide array of devices on the market have batteries that need to be charged. I'll stick with the best option if i can thanks, 3.5mm jack.
Okay, but in exchange you're carrying around a $250 device that is much large than the adapter? That was my point. And for many people, myself included, Bluetooth devices do decently well even if they have their drawbacks.
I think it can at least carry 2TB of offline music for you if you still like owning your own music if that's your thing. It's an option, nothing wrong with that
Maybe for people who are not interested in smartphones? Could also be an educational project if you want to dive into embedded systems. You'll also save battery on your phone.
Some people like to enjoy their media without having to use a smartphone, they prefer to keep their smartphones as strictly communication devices. Doing so allows them to switch off entirely when at their leisure in addition to saving phone battery life.
2tb of removable storage dedicated to music and the existence of a headphone jack are significant advantages for me. Not that I would purchase this particular contraption but I understand the appeal of single function/media devices such as DAPs and ereaders.
Some people like to enjoy their media without having to use a smartphone, they prefer to keep their smartphones as strictly communication devices.
Okay, I guess that's fair. I can see this useful for being out for a run or whatnot. I'm not sure I find it quite comparable to an e-reader, since the screen on an e-reader provides a decidedly different experience from a smartphone both in size and readability.
Depending on the particular DAP there may be physical size and storage advantages. Furthermore most ‘premium’ smartphones do not come with a headphone jack meaning that the audio experience using a decent pair of IEMs will be an improvement on listening to music on a smartphone via a pair of wireless headphones/earbuds.
P.S.
I’ve yet to come across a pair of wireless earbuds that are as comfortable or sound as good as my favorite pair of IEMs.
Yup, this just feels like someone trying to make the cassette cool again. There's a reason it fell out of fashion. If someone wants it, so be it, in the end that's their business. I just think it's a little silly to be sprouting more devices (and associated e-waste) when people can stay consolidated in one compact package.
Oh, I don't have fond memories of them. Rewinding, lack of metadata, tape getting snarled, no seeking, limited capacity, and limited sound quality. But hey, I certainly have my silly areas so who am I to criticize?