#43

got one with the pixel like @Mistersteve

does excellent animal impressions…beyond that haven’t used it really

2 Likes
#44

@meowington and @stickboy I think you are coming across as a little unfair, it isn’t just a case that there are ways that these devices can be helpful for people with physical disabilities, but those with other conditions have ways they can benefit from this sort of technology too, even if it is not something you can envisage yourselves.

Really hope this doesn’t come across as argumentative, I just wanted to make the point but am not entirely sure if it is my place to be doing so.

1 Like
#45

Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for it to come across like that! It was not intended to be.

I’m ranting about people like my housemate and dad who just want to have the latest tech thing cause they think it’s really cool but don’t actually use it unless someone is there to “show off” to. And then it’s just infuriating to me cause it doesn’t work and I have to sit there fake grinning at them shouting into a box or a remote.

I am also becoming more aware of how tech companies want to control you or spy on you or try to move us into the future too fast and I’m like NOPE DON’T WANT

5 Likes
#46

@discobot fortune

Okay, you can tell me. Have you ever made a pass at Alexa?

#47

:crystal_ball: Ask again later

#48

You so coy :blush::blush:

1 Like
#49

Hi! To find out what I can do, say @discobot display help.

#50

@discobot fortune

So you can tell me. We’re friends here. Have you ever made a pass at Alexa?

#51

:crystal_ball: Don’t count on it

1 Like
#52

Thanks @discobot

1 Like
#53

Oh yeah, I agree with you on a lot of that. There was just one post you made (and one by stickboy) where it seemed a bit dismissive of there being ways people would find it useful with more hidden disabilities. Rereading both of them though, I think I misjudged the tone so sorry for that, I should have just made the general point without mentioning either of you.

#54

We just put in new light bulbs around the flat so that our two Amazon Echoes can turn them on and off for us when we ask. Not sure how long before the novelty wears off.

Clive also got a Google Home today, from a PR person via the magazine he works for. But as we have two free Amazon Echoes already I’m not sure that we need it.

#55

I’ll have it

#56

Oh no need to apologise. I feel bad and I’m sorry for it coming across like that. It’s definitely not the tone I was trying to put across.

I completely understand that they and a lot of other modern tech (like Siri) can be so useful for people in different situations. But what annoys me as well is that they’re never marketed like that or (seemingly) used in that way in adverts but always as a way of moving yourself into the modern world where you never have to lift a finger and you can ask what the weather is outside without looking out of the window or finding out for yourself.

1 Like
#57

I know. We have the snow and daily threads for that, right?

4 Likes
#58

I kind of see that angle as a necessary evil, as it is unlikely these companies would be developing this sort of thing purely for a niche disability market as that wouldn’t be profitable enough, so they have to flog it to people for other purposes which are in many ways so unnecessary.

#59

Just came in to say that voice driven user experiences are totes the future, and anyone who thinks otherwise is a right silly billy. In 10 years time Michael McIntyre will be doing a routine about how we replaced personal interaction in shops, banks, etc with touch screen machines, then we replaced those machines with things that mimic personal interaction.

#61

Clive’s put it on eBay.

#62

Classic Clive

1 Like
#63

Totally. At least half the stuff he gets from PRs goes on eBay or are used as birthday presents.