"Having this device in your ear -- maybe connected with something visual, who knows? -- can enable people without any formal training to do things they couldn't do before. Someone untrained could be shown how to build a house, for example, and it will protect them when they are doing it."
There's no reason that stuff couldn't be done with your Android/iPhone and bluetooth headphones. I think this project is cool, and I hope they ship something good, but honestly if the future is all kinds of speech interfaces the tech to make that possible is already available.
I like the idea of an assistant in your ear, but this thing is vaporwear. They do not have the hardware expertise to build it, and they didn't even try to write the software in-house. "It is tough to make hardware, [...] when you ship it, it has to be right." Yes, very much this. It's hard to overestimate just how difficult shipping a quality hardware/software integration is, especially something this complex.
So I actually backed this product, and the guys from Bragi are very good about posting updates. I believe they have a deadline of posting an update on the 1st of each month. They always post their progress and include videos with each update showing new features or completion of the current stage.
It also seems that most of the comments are saying its all vapoware. According to the last update, the developer devices are expected to ship next week and the week after. I will gladly post an update when I receive mine.
The old earbuds, yes, those always fall out of my ears.
The new-style ones that actually go into the ear canal do work fine for me (just have to find the right size plastic sleeves). But that's headphones, I don't think they would be comfortable if they were even a little bit heavier, and this thing has a battery builtin.
I used to have exactly the same problem until I found that the shape of headphones bundled with Xperia Z works for me - doesn't fell out and feels comfortable. I believe it's a matter of testing different models.
Same for me. The only comfortable earbuds that don't fall off when walking around are Sennheiser. The pair of CX300 I had were the best, though they had a short lifespan (< 1 year) due to the plastic cable.
I wear CIC (Completely-In-Canal) hearing aids all day, about 16 hours - it does impact wax in the ear canal, but otherwise no adverse effects.
Thinking about it, this functionality would best be achieved by allying with one of the CIC hearing aid makers - they have the hardware capacity and the technology to deliver something like this.
There's no reason that stuff couldn't be done with your Android/iPhone and bluetooth headphones. I think this project is cool, and I hope they ship something good, but honestly if the future is all kinds of speech interfaces the tech to make that possible is already available.