Random thoughts that are pointless and too dumb to say anywhere else thread: 2020

[AKCheesehead]

I'm not elderly, just mid 40s. But it's starting to get to the point where I feel elderly whenever I'm trying to set up and use some new piece of tech. It seems like most things anymore just come with a sleek little slip of paper with a couple pictures with arrows pointing to things so that your directions are basically plug it in or turn it on. Then when you get stuck you get to become a detective and internet sleuth, in case you have nothing better to do with your hours. It is pretty maddening for me sometimes, I'm sure much moreso for folks a generation or more behind me.

[jerichoholicninja]

I'm 33 and I've become very crotchety about technology. I've reached the point where I don't even bother trying to keep up with it because it changes so fast and it's not worth learning it when it will be useless in a year anyway.

[AKCheesehead]

I wonder how many brand new products per year get smashed to pieces by a fed up owner before ever serving any useful function.

[CheezWizHed]

I'm mid-40s (and likewise helped my parents set up their Alexa device remotely last year) and am a software engineer. I also have teenagers, so I tend to keep up with tech (mostly).

 

But I can't stand how tech is tied to social media/online accounts - you can only set this up by signing into Bazooka Bob (if that was real, I'd probably join Bazooka Bob). Everything is designed to herd you to something else.

 

I'm also annoyed that video calling is company specific. I have Alexa, so-and-so has Google, such-and-such has Apple... none work together.

[owbc]

Throwaway emails and social media accounts are the way to go. Keep all the junk separate from your primary accounts. Give fake information if companies ask for stuff that they don't need.

 

I have a "smart" microwave which had to be set up with a microwave app. So dumb. The only useful feature is that the clock automatically resets itself after a power outage / daylight savings time. But if I really wanted to I could say "Alexa, microwave on high for 30 seconds."

 

It's pretty obvious that the tech product teams almost universally prioritize information gathering and tracking over developing features that would actually be useful to the consumer. Microwaves could have thermal sensing and scales to figure out when something is cooked, but it will never get developed because they couldn't use those features to collect data on what people are cooking.

[nate82]

Throwaway emails and social media accounts are the way to go. Keep all the junk separate from your primary accounts. Give fake information if companies ask for stuff that they don't need.

 

I have a "smart" microwave which had to be set up with a microwave app. So dumb. The only useful feature is that the clock automatically resets itself after a power outage / daylight savings time. But if I really wanted to I could say "Alexa, microwave on high for 30 seconds."

 

It's pretty obvious that the tech product teams almost universally prioritize information gathering and tracking over developing features that would actually be useful to the consumer. Microwaves could have thermal sensing and scales to figure out when something is cooked, but it will never get developed because they couldn't use those features to collect data on what people are cooking.

 

That stuff doesn't make all that much of a profit. Gathering data is mostly free and isn't all that costly and is very profitable.

[MrTPlush]

Does Alexa also get the stuff out of the fridge and put it in the microwave?

 

I hate Alexa. I am always at someone's house and they are like, "Alexa, living room ON. ALEXA! Living room ON! ALEXXXXXXAAA LIVING ROOOM ON!!!"

 

Just get up and flip the light switch!!

[SeaBass]

Does Alexa also get the stuff out of the fridge and put it in the microwave?

 

I hate Alexa. I am always at someone's house and they are like, "Alexa, living room ON. ALEXA! Living room ON! ALEXXXXXXAAA LIVING ROOOM ON!!!"

 

Just get up and flip the light switch!!

Don't you mean strike a match and light a candle since you're living like a caveman?

 

My gripe with Alexa is I can ask for the weather and Amazon is so gung ho over all the things Alexa can do that she keeps reminding me that I can give other commands. Yeah, if I wanted to give another command I would but I didn't so just do what I tell you, I didn't ask for an advertisement of all the other crap you can do.

[PeaveyFury]

 

My gripe with Alexa is I can ask for the weather and Amazon is so gung ho over all the things Alexa can do that she keeps reminding me that I can give other commands. Yeah, if I wanted to give another command I would but I didn't so just do what I tell you, I didn't ask for an advertisement of all the other crap you can do.

 

Same. Just last night I asked what the temperature was for walking my dogs, and she responded both with the answer and a 30 second dissertation on what I can do to shop for Christmas presents.

[AKCheesehead]

I cannot imagine any scenario where I would willingly allow Alexa into my place of residence.

[SeaBass]

 

My gripe with Alexa is I can ask for the weather and Amazon is so gung ho over all the things Alexa can do that she keeps reminding me that I can give other commands. Yeah, if I wanted to give another command I would but I didn't so just do what I tell you, I didn't ask for an advertisement of all the other crap you can do.

 

Same. Just last night I asked what the temperature was for walking my dogs, and she responded both with the answer and a 30 second dissertation on what I can do to shop for Christmas presents.

You can turn that off by going into your Alexa app, tap Settings>Notifications>Amazon Shopping and turn off the option to “receive personalized recommendations and deals based on your shopping activity.”

 

I don't get shopping suggestions because I had that turned off already, Alexa just really wants me to try using other commands and for that I don't see a toggle to turn off those types of suggestions.

 

 

I cannot imagine any scenario where I would willingly allow Alexa into my place of residence.

Meh, I'm not the slightest bit paranoid about it. I just don't think I'm rich enough or important enough to worry about being a target for scammers or hackers. As far as data mining, I'm sure all that crap is out there already, I'm already an Amazon customer and I use the internet, what else is gonna happen?

[Brewers Numbers]

I cannot imagine any scenario where I would willingly allow Alexa into my place of residence.

And internet connected cameras, especially for security/alarm services.

 

I have a Eufy doorbell and I was watching a video of my wife leaving with the dog. I found myself wondering for a minute how it knew she was leaving because the video started before the door opened. Realized how dumb I was being pretty quickly as the camera is always on and recording - it just makes the video available to me when it detects movement.

[CheezWizHed]

I just ordered a Ring doorbell. I had the option of "plus" which meant it stored 4 seconds of pre-recording before the event occurred. I passed and bought the regular. If nothing is moving, why do I want you recording it??

 

Not to mention the additional battery drain.

 

Alexa (I have two) annoys me because there are certain things it won't do correctly and it seems intentional. Play a playlist on Amazon music? Works perfectly. Play a playlist on a competing music service? "I can't seem to find that so here is something you didn't ask for, nor sounds remotely like what you asked". Alexa is a little spiteful when you don't use Amazon services...

[MrTPlush]

I just ordered a Ring doorbell. I had the option of "plus" which meant it stored 4 seconds of pre-recording before the event occurred. I passed and bought the regular. If nothing is moving, why do I want you recording it??

 

Not to mention the additional battery drain.

 

Alexa (I have two) annoys me because there are certain things it won't do correctly and it seems intentional. Play a playlist on Amazon music? Works perfectly. Play a playlist on a competing music service? "I can't seem to find that so here is something you didn't ask for, nor sounds remotely like what you asked". Alexa is a little spiteful when you don't use Amazon services...

 

Lag time or something the sensor was too slow to pick up on...it can be pretty surprising what a camera can miss in a short period of time. On a doorbell camera...probably not overly important.

 

I almost bought a Ring doorbell on a Black Friday deal...but I can get a package of Blink cameras for about the same cost and have it watch over three different spots around my house. I will just put one by the front door by the doorbell...basically the same end result.

[CheezWizHed]

I figured it might be a little slow, but there is no way to approach my door where someone could sneak in. We did a "13 days of Christmas" and dropped off a gift at my neighbor's house each day for 13 days. My sons made it a game to see if they could elude the Ring camera. They did so most of the time, but my neighbor noted that he saw the footprints in the snow between our houses.

[FVBrewerFan]

You guys are getting old. I know the feeling. I was the first person to have wifi in my home. When I explained it to people, they had no idea what I was talking about at first. I could troubleshoot Windows computers, figure out phones...all that stuff. And I have no IT training or background whatsoever.

 

Now I would love to have a bunch of stuff integrated with Alexa. I just don't feel like taking the time to figure out how to set-up a hub, buy devices, etc. Mostly, I would love to control my thermostat when I'm not home and I just don't feel like learning the easiest way to do that.

[nate82]

You guys are getting old. I know the feeling. I was the first person to have wifi in my home. When I explained it to people, they had no idea what I was talking about at first. I could troubleshoot Windows computers, figure out phones...all that stuff. And I have no IT training or background whatsoever.

 

Now I would love to have a bunch of stuff integrated with Alexa. I just don't feel like taking the time to figure out how to set-up a hub, buy devices, etc. Mostly, I would love to control my thermostat when I'm not home and I just don't feel like learning the easiest way to do that.

 

Easiest way is to get a smart thermostat and that is about it. After that it is just connecting the smart thermostat to your wifi and then using the app on your phone to change the temperature.

[owbc]

Wi-fi connected security cameras are great. I have 3 Nest cams. I have the subscription which keeps a full 30-day archive of all the cameras, you need unlimited gigabit Internet in order to do that. I put them in visible, prominent locations. I live in a location where property theft is fairly common so it is nice to be able to keep an eye on things, but I think they mostly serve as a deterrent. I never understood the purpose of a doorbell cam. You can't see anything from a doorbell, it isn't high enough and landscaping is in the way.

 

One example of the usefulness...in bed late at night, hear a weird noise outside. Instead of getting up I just grab my phone and bring up the cams. Nothing looks unusual. Back to sleep.

[Thurston Fluff]

I called my parents last might and asked how the Alexa experience is going. My sister, who has severe CP, only limited use of one hand, cannot walk or even sit up on her own and is legally blind, but perfectly normal intelligence has started using it and hasn't stopped. It took some time for Alexa to get used to her voice because it's not smooth but now she can listen to music and stories any time she wants. She's also been asking it questions just for the hell of it. Given her entire life is one big quarantine in a prison far worse than any I could endure it's nice to know she has more independence from one simple purchase and a couple hours of my time. That's it's right before Christmas just makes it all the more sweet. I guess I'll have to get mom a new one since my sister pretty much commandeered hers.

[Baldkin]

I called my parents last might and asked how the Alexa experience is going. My sister, who has severe CP, only limited use of one hand, cannot walk or even sit up on her own and is legally blind, but perfectly normal intelligence has started using it and hasn't stopped. It took some time for Alexa to get used to her voice because it's not smooth but now she can listen to music and stories any time she wants. She's also been asking it questions just for the hell of it. Given her entire life is one big quarantine in a prison far worse than any I could endure it's nice to know she has more independence from one simple purchase and a couple hours of my time. That's it's right before Christmas just makes it all the more sweet. I guess I'll have to get mom a new one since my sister pretty much commandeered hers.

 

I worked IT at a senior living company for awhile, and one of their big pushes was for smart devices in the room, especially those people with Alzheimer's. It truly made a difference towards a lot of lives just being able to see/listen to whatever they would like.

[GAME05]

I like my google smart speakers and lights. Lights turn on and off on schedule, plus it's nice to have lights on a timer when I'm away. The speakers are just used for music and podcasts, for which they're pretty handy.

[AKCheesehead]

I think it's time, as a collective society, to unanimously high beam any oncoming drivers who have xenon or other insanely bright headlights. Not just a flash of the brights. Leave them on, since that's what they're doing to everyone else the entire time they drive in the dark with those things.

[SeaBass]

I think it's time, as a collective society, to unanimously high beam any oncoming drivers who have xenon or other insanely bright headlights. Not just a flash of the brights. Leave them on, since that's what they're doing to everyone else the entire time they drive in the dark with those things.

My 2014 Jeep has automatic high beams, which are cool since they are supposed to sense an oncoming car and automatically switch to low beam until the road ahead is clear of oncoming traffic when they switch back to high. Problem is, they're not flawless. If you're rounding a curve or on a road that has rises and depressions (hills) the tech can be fooled into thinking there are no cars oncoming so the high beams stay on. If that's the case and a lot of drivers have this technology and have a "set it and forget it" mentality I could see how there would be a lot of drivers out there that don't even realize that's what's happening. I'm pretty vigilant about it when I use them, but I'm human and have forgotten a few times.

[nate82]

I think it's time, as a collective society, to unanimously high beam any oncoming drivers who have xenon or other insanely bright headlights. Not just a flash of the brights. Leave them on, since that's what they're doing to everyone else the entire time they drive in the dark with those things.

 

As long as they are not in a blue tint of a color they don't bother me. All of the newer cars are going to be coming with these types of headlights in the future as I believe all cars have to switch over to the LED lights at some point. I have HID lights which seem to be better and don't instantly blind people.

[igor67]

I'll concur with AKcheesehead I have a hard time believing how seeing better by blinding everyone else reduces accidents.