Too old for gadgets?

[jim8flog]

Alexa etc is absolutely brilliant for disabled people, or for the aged. They can turn on loghts, heating, music, telly, draw curtains, what ever, just by talking.

For fit people, they should be embarassed.

There is plenty of kit already out there that does all that and more. Trouble is it all costs and many people on a disability benefit will only get it if they can afford it or meet means test requirements. Remember that every bit of kit it wants to 'talk' to has to have the appropriate receiver and activation electrics. No need to talk for many either can be done with the eyes.

 

[bobmac]

I've discovered I won't be able use it even if I wanted to, something to do with Jellybeans and kitkats

 

[jim8flog]

new and getting old.

I have bits of kit at home and in my car that I will never use fully because they are simply too complicated and you need to read the manual everytime you want to use one of eh more obscure functions.

I was sitting in my car the other day, which I have owned for two years, when I spotted a couple of switches which I had not noticed before. I asked myself "Do I bother to get out the manual and work out what they do?" "No" was the answer. If I had not needed them in 2 years ...

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I don't know, I may be a bit naive and I know they are profit driven, but I think there is more of a philanthropic side to the big tech companies, especially once they are more than rich enough.

Where as politics seems increasingly an ideologically driven mission to stay in power by whatever means, even if that involves creating conflict and division between the people you are serving. And then imposing your ideas on everyone and completely disengage from anything or anyone who does not follow your doctrine. If a bunch of primary school kids acted as the US government is doing now with the shut down then we would tell them to grow up.

When those people / companies stop avoiding paying their taxes so aggressively then I might agree with you. I accept certain American billionaires start to become generous once they have hit their 5th billion, well done Bill Gates, but until then they are, underneath the surface, as nasty and cut throat as Trump. They just do it in a t-shirt, a scruffy jumper, jeans and seem more friendly. Scratch the surface though.....................

(I may be getting too cynical. Perhaps I should dig out some of that 70's music you suggested)

 

[Hacker Khan]

new and getting old.

I have bits of kit at home and in my car that I will never use fully because they are simply too complicated and you need to read the manual everytime you want to use one of eh more obscure functions.

I was sitting in my car the other day, which I have owned for two years, when I spotted a couple of switches which I had not noticed before. I asked myself "Do I bother to get out the manual and work out what they do?" "No" was the answer. If I had not needed them in 2 years ...

I think with most gadgets it's not a case of 'needing them', it's having them if they make your life a bit easier or enjoyable. I imagine there are very few gadgets most people could not live without, but the best ones just become part of the way of life for many poeple.

 

[Hacker Khan]

I've discovered I won't be able use it even if I wanted to, something to do with Jellybeans and kitkats

I think the are basically telling you you have an old Android phone.

 

[MegaSteve]

When those people / companies stop avoiding paying their taxes so aggressively then I might agree with you. I accept certain American billionaires start to become generous once they have hit their 5th billion, well done Bill Gates, but until then they are, underneath the surface, as nasty and cut throat as Trump. They just do it in a t-shirt, a scruffy jumper, jeans and seem more friendly. Scratch the surface though.....................

(I may be getting too cynical. Perhaps I should dig out some of that 70's music you suggested)

Yep... Bet you can be really philanthropic if you are not paying tax on your ill gotten gains...

And, I bet they sleep well of a night...

 

[Rooter]

I trust Zuckerberg as much as Trump. Same with Apple and Google. Not one of them think of anyone but themselves and profit. There is an inevitability about data collection though and what they collect from me does not worry me.

Ahh Zuckerberg, the man that tapes over his webcam on his personal laptop as he doesn't trust its not recording! If the founder of facebook does this, it may have some weight.. Not sure people do, but its certainly possible today. Stories of kids toys being hacked and used as spying devices.

I still want an alexa/google home something, just because i am lazy and i like gadgets.

 

[Lazkir]

Ahh Zuckerberg, the man that tapes over his webcam on his personal laptop as he doesn't trust its not recording! If the founder of facebook does this, it may have some weight.. Not sure people do, but its certainly possible today. Stories of kids toys being hacked and used as spying devices.

I still want an alexa/google home something, just because i am lazy and i like gadgets.

As does the head of the CIA.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Not so sure I trust Alexa-type devices around the house to not be surreptitiously listening-in on what's being said - Big Brother is truly with us unless we are very careful

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Ahh Zuckerberg, the man that tapes over his webcam on his personal laptop as he doesn't trust its not recording! If the founder of facebook does this, it may have some weight.. Not sure people do, but its certainly possible today. Stories of kids toys being hacked and used as spying devices.

I still want an alexa/google home something, just because i am lazy and i like gadgets.

Black Mirror - Shut Up and Dance

 

[srixon 1]

new and getting old.

I have bits of kit at home and in my car that I will never use fully because they are simply too complicated and you need to read the manual everytime you want to use one of eh more obscure functions.

I was sitting in my car the other day, which I have owned for two years, when I spotted a couple of switches which I had not noticed before. I asked myself "Do I bother to get out the manual and work out what they do?" "No" was the answer. If I had not needed them in 2 years ...

But they could be useful and you don’t know what you’re missing. I’d like to think that one of them is for vaporising middle lane hoggers off the motorway.

 

[bobmac]

Not so sure I trust Alexa-type devices around the house to not be surreptitiously listening-in on what's being said - Big Brother is truly with us unless we are very careful

Who would be listening in?

 

[Hacker Khan]

Who would be listening in?

The little people in the trees.....