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And I can see the same issues arriving here as I do with all transparent tech.

They’d look grim within a femtosecond and who wants that?

AirPods Prototype image

I really like them!

A nostalgic thing?

I still remember my transparent Xbox controller from all those years ago.

AirPods transparent prototype

You could see the movement of the analog sticks, where the wire connected to the circuit board.

For 7-year-old me, it was thecoolest thing ever.

But I’ve grown up.

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Non-transparent tech can go longer between cleans because it doesn’t show the dirt as much.

Heck, even white gadgets are better for not getting grimy than transparent models.

And don’t get me started on all the scratches that show up and ruin the effect.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro

In a vacuum, transparent tech is cool.

But my pocket isn’t a vacuum it’s got lint in it.

Google Pixel 9a render

The AirPods Max USB-C in a photo studio

Honor Earbuds Open

Dolby Atmos immersive diagram

iPhone 12

Bose and Sony headphones deal

Marshall Monitor III over-ear headphones

Beats Cables

AirPods Max USB-C

Sennheiser Accentum Open

Rega Planar 1 Plus

NYTimes Connections

Fire TV interface on the Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd gen)

A person holding a Nintendo Switch 2 playing Mario Kart World

Left to right: Billy Magnussen, Osy Ikhile, Paul G. Raymond, Cristin Milioti, Milanka Brooks in Black Mirror season 7

NYT Strands on a cellphone

A couple using the Scandinavian Sleep Method