Round up #191: Public library petition, Amazon hardware announcement…
The ILMK Round ups are short pieces which may or may not be expanded later.
Amazon’s hardware announcement tomorrow (Wednesday 25 September)
I’ll probably write about what happens tomorrow, but I thought I’d share rumors/speculation.
The buzzy thing will probably be in-ear Alexa. These would hypothetically be wireless earbuds. I have a thing about objects touching my ears (although I can wear reading glasses just fine). However, that’s the outer ear…ear canal would be different.
What would these do?
- You could call up Alexa (it would be connected to your phone wirelessly)
- That would include playing music, having questions answered, possibly SmartHome control, although that seem less certain to me, maybe phone calls processed by the phone)
- Rumor has it that it could have fitness tracking capabilities. Certainly, I would think heartbeat could be measured in the ear. Steps? Maybe, but probably not necessary, since they will already be connected to a phone which almost certainly does that
For me to love these personally, they’d have to have pass-through sound (I’d want to be able to hear what was around me, at least to some extent…maybe to the extent it was legal to wear them driving, but Alexa Auto takes care of that). If they did, I could see wearing them quite often. Nice to control the TV that way, for one thing.
Speaking of Alexa Auto, they could certainly make that available for general purchase (currently, it’s by invitation only…we have one, have requested another, and it’s great!).
Kindle/Fire tablet announcements may come later.
More SmartHome control and devices, more Fire TV…an update to Echo, I should think.
Also, based on last year, something odd…like the microwave they introduced. We have one of those…it was a bit disappointing. The plastic on the buttons really peeled quickly…that seems to always be a problem with inexpensive microwaves. We’ve also just stopped using the voice commands…the buttons are easier. A washing machine? Instant pot? Toothbrush…nah, maybe not. 😉
That Alexa robot story is also still viable…
Librarians versus Macmillan (and others) on e-books
I definitely want to write more on this!
I wrote in July about new e-book policies:
ALA launches national campaign against e-book embargo
The librarians have been escalating this…here’s some recent articles:
If you want to take action, you can sign an online petition here:
Tell Macmillan Publishers that you demand #eBooksForAll
There are over 35,000 signatures at time of writing.
Banking on…er, with, Amazon 😉
There are some stories out there about Amazon having a full-fledged bank within 5 years. Would I use it? I’d consider it, but leaving a bank is hard…just sort of complicated. I suspect it would be most successful first outside the USA, and then with people getting either an “extra” account or their first accounts (although I’m not sure that younger people who might tend to do that trust Amazon all that much).
What do you think? What do you think Amazon will introduce? An Amazon bicycle? Ooh, an Amazon exercise bike! That could really work, with Prime Video, music, and so on…sorry, I was asking you! 😉 How do you feel about the e-book policies and the libraries? Would you bank with Amazon? Feel free to let me and my readers know by commenting on this post.
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All aboard The Measured Circle’s Geek Time Trip at The History Project!
Bufo’s Alexa Skills
* I am linking to the same thing at the regular Amaz on site, and at AmazonSmile. When you shop at AmazonSmile, half a percent of your purchase price on eligible items goes to a non-profit you choose. It will feel just like shopping at Amazon: you’ll be using your same account. The one thing for you that is different is that you pick a non-profit the first time you go (which you can change whenever you want)…and the good feeling you’ll get. 
Shop ’til you help!
I Love My Kindle 