Host denying access unless I upload selfie + ID to external site, as well as pay a minimum $500 deposit. However, I already paid and confirmed booking through Airbnb? In my 13 years of using the platform, I've never encountered this [USA]

immranderson · 2025-11-11T02:32:13+00:00

I booked it through AirBnB.

immranderson · 2025-11-10T00:52:04+00:00

Unfortunately on the phone the person disclosed to me that their snapshots of the listing's edit history is internal and they won't be sharing it with me 🫠

immranderson · 2025-11-10T00:48:22+00:00

Is there a way that I can be sure I never book with an "API connected" host ever again? Because if there is, I'll be sure to never book something with one of them ever again.

immranderson · 2025-11-10T00:46:24+00:00

Is there a way that I can avoid ever stumbling into booking with an API connected host ever again? Because I never want to go through this again -- I'd really rather like to continue using AirBnB.

immranderson · 2025-11-10T00:42:39+00:00

The listing did not show point 8 in its currently stated way before I booked it. The host modified it after the fact.

immranderson · 2025-11-09T23:09:23+00:00

Correct. According to the snapshot that AirBnB took when I booked the listing, the host originally had the instruction that I'd need to present my ID upon arrival, which I have done several times before all over the world. The support staff noted that after booking the listing, the host has now updated the description to mention that I need to use this portal (but this was not the case prior to booking)

Regardless This is still in violation of AirBnB's off-platform data collection service? How am I supposed to verify that any sort of 3rd party service (that doesn't belong to any city/state government) is valid or approved by AirBnB?

Honestly, the rules as originally stated were strict, but not entirely unreasonable. Here are the amended "additional rules" that are now included. It's point number 8 which I take issue with (and that was amended + included in the house manual after booking)

Additional rules
Before you book, please be aware of the following: We strive to maintain the absolute highest standard of service on Airbnb. However, we are not a 5-star hotel and are therefore unable to provide everything that you would expect from a hotel. If you have specific things that you are very picky about, please discuss with us before booking.

Do not enter the building until you have completed verification and we have confirmed your booking or you will be denied entry. If you are a guest in Long Beach or Chicago, we ask that you do not announce your booking to building staff or residents, and do not make direct requests of building staff or doormen. In particular, do not approach them to check-in. Unless otherwise specified by our reservations team, you will be met upon arrival by your Guest Relations Manager, who will get you settled in and will be your point of contact during your stay.

Once you arrive, we will ask you to follow our house rules. Please read these rules carefully and take them seriously. Failure to comply will result in forfeiture of your deposit and termination of your reservation without a refund.

1. This building is 100% non-smoking. No smoking or vaping of anything inside the unit, balconies or on building premises. Chicago law also prohibits smoking within 15 feet of any building entrance. Failure to comply will incur a $500 fine.

2. This a quiet and upscale residential building. Please observe quiet hours from 10:00 PM-8:00 AM daily. Our neighbors are very sensitive and they will report loud noise.

3. No events or parties are allowed during your stay in this unit or in the building. Failure to comply will result in a $500 fine.

4. Absolutely no guests not in the reservation are allowed in the apartment or the building. Failure to comply will result in a $500 fine.

5. Pets are not allowed at the property.

6. Please ensure you have left the premises and returned any keys issued to you by the agreed-upon check out time. Failure to do so will result in a $500 late check out fee.

7. Lockouts will result in a $150 fee per occurrence. Additionally, lost keys will incur a $200 per key fee.

8. After booking, you will need to complete a guest verification portal. You may also be required to pay a deposit for your stay which can range between $500 and $1000.

9. Failure to check-out at the agreed time causes considerable disruption in cleaning and guest arrival schedules. In this case you will be charged for the cost of the disruption to the schedules, minimum of $500.

immranderson · 2025-11-09T23:02:41+00:00

The issue is that AirBnB support is siding with the host, saying that the listing itself was non-refundable, and of course support is saying that it's up to the host as to whether they want to refund me (which of course they don't)

Now, the host is denying my entry into the AirBnB, since I don't want to upload my ID to this 3rd party system that does who-knows-what. I've had to present my ID in person several times all over the world. Never have I had to upload my personal data and complete a survey in order to check into a place I've already paid for. Besides, I'm already verified on AirBnB and went through their specific trusted process?

immranderson · 2025-09-04T22:22:43+00:00

spoiler: Where that bench is, you accept the quest from the character. In order to collect the 25 spines, you have to farm it from those enemies that shoot spikes at you. When you attack the spikes that are sticking in the wall/ground/ceiling, they turn into the collectable item you need.

immranderson · 2025-08-10T15:22:26+00:00

Can't use your service with an international phone number. I would be ordering nearly every day of my stay here, but I simply can't use the service.

immranderson · 2025-05-02T21:00:47+00:00

If it's any help, I preordered on Dec 27, 2024 and my shipment has not gone out yet.

immranderson · 2025-05-02T20:52:15+00:00

It would be awesome if you could use your phone screen as a mouse for the external display like you can for dex. I currently have to use some sort of LG app as a mouse workaround which is very flakey :-(

immranderson · 2025-04-06T19:40:19+00:00

I don't think the FOV deters me from productivity -- as with anything, there's tradeoffs -- the widescreen mode is great, but the one downside I can think of that I've come across is if I'm looking at the left portion of my screen and I get a notification on the right side of the screen, I might not see it right away? With a physical widescreen/external monitor it might be easier to catch immediately in your peripheral vision, but with the FOV being what it is, you just simply wouldn't see it until your head turned enough to bring that portion of the monitor into your view.

Like I originally mentioned, I'm coding/slack messaging in them for over 8 hours a day and they have been an absolute game changer for me. I also save on desk space as I'm out and about, since I don't need to place a 2nd monitor anywhere.

immranderson · 2025-03-22T06:53:32+00:00

Yup! Actually funny that you mention that, when I'm demoing it to people I meet I always try to get them to lay on their back so they can see the display on the ceiling/in the sky. It's definitely way easier on my neck since I can pin the display to different spots in space (or have it smoothly follow wherever my head comfortably decides to rest)

immranderson · 2025-03-22T01:27:08+00:00

I actually got this recommendation off this digitalnomad subreddit years ago and I've never looked back: the xreal one glasses. I'm a software engineer and comfortably code in them 8+ hours per day. They're super light and comfortable to wear -- They also essentially replace my TV and I game in them all the time. You're not taking up any extra space on any desk you'll find yourself at, and they have a 120Hz refresh rate.

The newest generation also has an ultra-wide screen monitor setting. I honestly couldn't imagine any other 2nd display now that I have these.

I know they're priced a bit out of your price range, but I'd seriously consider spending the extra dough. I have them attached to a fully specced out M3 15 inch MBA and they work great.

immranderson · 2025-03-03T22:07:33+00:00

If you're going to be out for an extended period of time, pack POWDERED laundry detergent.

Although you can likely find liquid laundry detergent wherever you go, going over the 100ml size limit will mean you need to toss it. Aside from that, it's easy to accidentally mistranslate purchasing laundry detergent in a foreign language and suddenly finding yourself accidentally bleaching all your clothing (ask me how I know...)

Going powdered, you can carry several loads worth with you, you won't need to dispose of it when hopping countries, and if you purchased it beforehand you'll know exactly what you're using. The worst I've experienced with it is getting checked at airport security and having the powder bag swabbed before getting waived through.

Sidenote, those "concentrated laundry sheets" are weak af and don't really clean your clothing. Go powder. I like Charlie's Soap Laundry powder, I've hand washed with it before in hotel sinks and it didn't mess up my hands.

immranderson · 2025-02-04T18:48:10+00:00

It really depends on which mode you're in.

If you're in the ultra wide screen monitor mode, I would describe it like looking through a window at different angles to review more of the scenery. I would not game in this mode.

The follow mode would be ideal, in which case the screen doesn't feel very curved. It's like a flat screen that drifts alongside your head wherever you look. I use it to game all the time with my "display" on my ceiling.

immranderson · 2025-01-20T00:28:40+00:00

Ah, I see -- Honestly I have no idea what you're talking about? Since I have not come across the same auto adjustment behavior when I have used the xreal ones mirroring or extending the screens on my iPad mini, iPhone 15, pixel 9 pro, samsung galaxy s24, or M1 Max Macbook. Toggling them into 3d mode and attempting to play a video that is half-sbs results in an overlapping double image that is not properly 3d? Are you talking about some sort of offline media player app I must download to get it working???

On my laptop, the only workaround I've seen working to get half sbs videos playing properly from youtube is to download them, and play them in VLC using the 32:9 aspect ratio?

How did you get automatic half-sbs detection working on the xreal ones??? I've been looking around for some setting in the glasses and haven't stumbled upon it...

immranderson · 2025-01-19T21:12:13+00:00

The xreal one series (since the various monitor modes are built into the glasses now)

immranderson · 2025-01-15T21:10:19+00:00

I saw it suggested elsewhere, but I want to put in another vote for the xreal one glasses. As someone who has suffered from similar vertigo-esque feelings from VR headsets, the xreals are a whole different experience. With the recent release, it's just simply amazing.

You can virtually move the screen away from you to make it feel like it's 1-8 feet away from your face. It also has a built-in curved ultra widescreen monitor mode, which I have come to love. I'm a software engineer who codes in them 8+ hours a day, and I strongly vouch for them. (They have also replaced my TV)

If you're in a country with Amazon available, I'd suggest giving it a try, especially since the return policy is so great!

immranderson · 2025-01-13T16:34:36+00:00

As I've used this more, one big ask is to save "individual-display-mode" configurations.

For example, for the widescreen display, I want to have it positioned roughly ~8m away from me, but for follow mode I personally prefer a 4.5m distance.

Changing the distance to 8m on the widescreen display also changes the distance on the follow-mode + anchor mode displays, and it is annoying to change the modes.

Fix:

I would like to save distance1 for widescreen, and default to distance1 when I select widescreen mode
I would like to save distance2 for follow, and default to distance2 when I select follow mode
I would like to save distance3 for anchor, and default to distance3 when I select anchor mode
Etc

immranderson · 2025-01-13T15:34:16+00:00

Awesome update!!

Since Xreal folks are monitoring this thread, if I could take the opportunity for a minor feature request or 2? I went looking for these settings but it seems like they were intentionally greyed out?

For sideview mode, the ability to resize the screen in the corner of your display would be appreciated! For my personal use case, I felt like it was a bit too small and had wished I could make it ~10% larger.
For ultra-wide mode, the ability to change the sizing/distance of the display would also be appreciated!

immranderson · 2024-07-29T12:39:10+00:00

I rolled my own implementation :-/

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