Velcros and Rubber Bands

Me to Bose customer service:

Subject: Prescription lenses for Bose Frames

Message: How can I order prescription lenses (-3.25 / -3.50) for Bose Frames?

Reply: We do not offer prescription lenses.

Of course I know you do. Just "not for this (European) market". Get yourself a fake US address (such as the MyUS.com), buy them via the US Bose Online shop and you are good!

The workaround: I knew it would end up like that, so when making my buy decision, I already had a plan B. Which has been - use the prescription insert from my adventure sunglasses made by Rudy Project. The Rudy system is one of a kind and works extremely well - I have tested them in Himalaya, Tian Shan, cycling, windsurfing... And it is so simple. Unfortunately the Bose Frames are not Rudy - compatible, but it turns out with a help of a Velcro strap (and small cut-outs in the rubber nose pads) the fit is very good. The workaround works so well that I canceled my plan to get prescription lenses via an US address.

Me to Garmin customer Service:

Subject: Cannot simultaneously play audio and record an activity

Message:   Hi, recently I wanted to play audio (MP3) over Bluetooth (Apple AirPods) when hiking. The music function on its own works fine - the watch is streaming audio to the AirPods just fine. The Hike activity on its own is fine too - I've been using it every day for couple of years. Unfortunately trying to do both audio and activity at the same time does not work. If I start the activity first, then trying the music function either tells me there are no music files on the watch (there are) or (even if it finds the audio files) the "play" button does not start playing. If I start music first (and it is playing), then after starting the activity the "distance" counter does not move (stays at 0.00), only the time counter is moving. After numerous attempts to sort this out (about a dozen of combinations to start both, watch resets, etc.) i managed to do both functions properly only once. And then it just played the first audio file and stopped (rather than starting a next one). It all looks like a software issue with the resources (not enough RAM to do both at the same time). Certainly doing both an activity AND music is expected to work and probably the watch is designed with the goal do be able to do both at the same time. Please advise how to make this work.

Reply: <no reply>

It is really a shame. A $1000 watch has a software bug in one of the key functions. And the company does not care to answer. Not even acknowledge they would be willing to look into the issue.

The workaround: I bought a second hand iPod nano. Works great. At 35g and 5mm thick I keep it in my back pocket. The UX is great. Audible syncs seamlessly (no need to hack-convert the books to MP3).

Unfortunately both cases illustrate the real state of the consumer tech. You are more lucky if you live in the US, as this market is a priority to most companies. But even then, you may need to reach for a pair of rubber bands to make your gadgets do the job.