Your secret's never safe

By Kimiya Aframian and Michael VigmanApple’s wireless earbuds, Airpods, are the latest rave in the tech world and have generated 5.5 billion dollars in sales since their release in December 2016. As the leading wireless earbud on the market, they have turned private music listening into a sleek and convenient experience with a 24-hour battery life. Furthermore, their integrated capabilities with iPhones make them all the more versatile for playback requests and interacting with Siri. However, with their latest new feature, Live Listen, many have begun to wonder if Airpods’ capabilities have gone too far. As we consider the pros and cons of the new feature, we must remember that their high position on the market right now suggest that they are not going anywhere anytime soon.This element was initially designed to help individuals with hearing impairments, almost like a hearing aid. It can pick up on voices near the microphone of a paired iPhone and enhance the sound waves, focusing on just one voice. This helpful feature, however, is more commonly being seen as a simple, accessible device for eavesdropping. Can Airpod users be trusted to use this feature responsibly or should a less intrusive alternative be pursued? It is not hard to imagine friendships being torn apart should someone “Live Listen” without prior context. Afterall, not all conversations are meant to be heard. Since users do not always make others readily aware of their “Live Listening,” it can be characterized as a privacy breach. On the flipside, it provides an all in one package for the intended audience: individuals with hearing impairments. The Airpods and their new application allow the same device to be used to listen to music and also heighten one’s hearing capabilities. This powerful element should not be overlooked by the potential drawbacks the device may have when in irresponsible hands. For now, there is not much we can do but enjoy (or avoid) the feature while it is available. We all seem like spies nowadays; with our advanced smart watches that mimic phones and now easy access to snooping devices, who knows what will be next?