barthrh

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barthrh
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  • EU's latest demand on Apple about geolocking is unforgivably naive

    barthrhbarthrh
    Credit card restrictions exist for a reason. One is to some extent fraud, but more importantly it's how they get certainty that you live where you are. It's super easy to make up a valid address, but a lot harder to put in a valid credit card for that country. This matters for legal reasons, fraud reasons, and also pricing. I can choose to make my product cheaper in markets where they are not as affluent. I was in vacation in Mexico and wanted to by this set of development e-books. It was half-off! When I went to check out, I learned that to get "price parity" I needed to have a Mexican card. IOW, they discounted them for that market and I wasn't allowed to jack with the system.

    Really, Apple and Google should just tell the EU to piss off and buy Nokia phones running Symbian.
    DAalsethwatto_cobra

  • AirPods Pro 2 hearing support goes global with wider rollout

    barthrhbarthrh
    I decided to write to my Ontario (Canada) MPP. If anyone wants to do the same, feel free to use this:

    Hello!

    I read that Apple has recently updated the countries with access to the hearing aid features of the Airpod Pro to another 13 countries. Canada remains off of the list. Use of Over the Counter (OTC) hearing aids was approved by the federal government but remains unavailable country-wide due to a handful of provinces (including Ontario) blocking their use. The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 states that hearing aids can only be dispensed with a prescription from an audiologist or physician.

    While the College of Audiologists (CASLPO) claims that they are just there to answer the Province’s questions and don’t set the legislation, I don’t doubt that intense lobbying to block access to the devices is ongoing. This is short-sighted. Access to OTC devices would only increase business for CASLPO’s members by providing no-cost access to users to “sample” hearing assistance before spending thousands on aids with their members. It would also de-stigmatize the use of hearing assistance, further increasing their customer base. It’s unfortunate that one needs to promote access to a medical device in terms of how those controlling the monopoly can profit from broader access. Of course, there is the clear benefit that those who cannot afford thousands on hearing aids can enjoy clearer conversations with their families using a device many already own.

    This isn’t only an Ontario problem. A few other provinces are withholding access, but Ontario can lead the way. Hopefully the elimination of inter-provincial barriers and harmonization of regulations to support that will finally help Canada move in line with countries that place the wellbeing of their constituents over the business concerns of their professional bodies.

    brianm