If you care about audio, the analog Over The Air (OTA) is better quality than
HD radio or anything streamed over the net.
Now how many people would notice would be another thing entirely. Just like
using Tidal lossless or Qobuz rather than Spotify. We haven’t eben touched yet
on how different apps are designed different and how that can play a part too.
My biggest gripe with the victor reader stream is its audio quality. I’m fully
aware its good enough for a lot of people, but the iPhone or an actual radio
would have better audio quality than that.
But in the end , choice is good and everybody likes different things.
And that’s fine by me.
😊
John
From: blind-philly-comp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<blind-philly-comp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of David Goldfield
Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2019 11:26 PM
To: blind-philly-comp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-philly-comp] Re: Common Smarthome Myths That Just Aren’t True
John, this is definitely true. It explains why there are so many visually
impaired people who still prefer a Perkins Brailler or a slate and stylus over
a BrailleNote or an iPad. I'm not one of those people but I see the reasoning
behind it. A Perkins Brailler or a slate will never crash, always has the same,
predictable user interface and so there's never any worries about relearning
new commands when software updates appear. Yes, I definitely get that and
respect that. My philosophy has always been to work with someone and let them
use whatever works for them as long as they can do what they need to do
efficiently. There will always be those who prefer a radio over an iPhone, a
Perkins Brailler instead of a laptop or those who prefer a Victor Stream over
an iPhone. I can see all of the reasons for why one preference works better for
a consumer than something else.
David Goldfield, Assistive Technology Specialist WWW.David-Goldfield.Com
<http://WWW.David-Goldfield.Com>
On 1/27/2019 11:18 PM, jhii926@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:jhii926@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
In some ways, I prefer that lower end of tech, David.
I don’t have to reset my audio mixer as its an analog mixer with knobs and
buttons.
Look at all the crap I’ve had to deal with with the Echo dots
Look at how long it takes to learn smart phones, or when they don’t behave the
steps you have to go thru to troubleshoot say multiple calendars etc.
I can completely understand why using older non smart things would be appealing.
John
From: blind-philly-comp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:blind-philly-comp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<mailto:blind-philly-comp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<blind-philly-comp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of David Goldfield
Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2019 11:06 PM
To: blind-philly-comp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:blind-philly-comp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [blind-philly-comp] Re: Common Smarthome Myths That Just Aren’t True
Hi, John.
While things like Siri and Alexa are probably embraced by many seniors there
are many other people who just aren't comfortable speaking to their devices to
get information. I have a family member who just isn't comfortable talking to
Siri to perform tasks. Some people are just so used to the older devices where
you push a button or turn a knob to get something to happen and, for some
people, that's about as high tech as they're willing to get.
On 1/27/2019 11:02 PM, jhii926@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:jhii926@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I have the Echo dot 2nd gen, which I’ve once again had to factory reset two
of them because the micks stop working. What do I have, lemins ?
We don’t have any smart home anything. My parents, who I bought an echo for,
they don’t ever use it really. It took ages for them to get to use siri even a
bit.
My dad, while he has Google Maps on his iOS iPhone 8, prefers to use the nav in
the car and never ever uses his phone for navigation in the car. Just like he
uses the actual physical radio in the car, not something that would use data.
Frankly, its easier, and the car has the big screen
From: blind-philly-comp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:blind-philly-comp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<mailto:blind-philly-comp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<blind-philly-comp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of David Goldfield
Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2019 10:44 PM
To: blind-philly-comp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:blind-philly-comp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [blind-philly-comp] Re: Common Smarthome Myths That Just Aren’t True
Hi.
In response to this article I'm curious to know how many of you use any sort of
smart home technology and how it's working for you. We don't have a lot of it
although I do have two cameras that I use with my Xfinity Home app along with
an Ecobee thermostat which I can control via my iPhone, Alexa and the Xfinity
Home app. We have two motion detectors along with sensors on all of our doors
and windows, as well.
On 1/27/2019 10:12 PM, David Goldfield wrote:
How-To Geek - Sunday, January 27, 2019 at 6:40 AM
Common Smarthome Myths That Just Aren’t True
Alexander Supertramp/Shutterstock
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Smarthome technology has come a long way. It still isn’t for everyone, but some
of the common myths people use to avoid smarthome tech aren’t true. Smarthomes
don’t have to be expensive, and they aren’t always listening to you, for
example.
Myth: Smarthomes are Expensive
Dariusz Jarzabek/Shutterstock
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Smarthomes can be expensive—especially if you go for a custom build designed
specifically for your home. But they don’t have to be expensive.
It’s easy to start small and then build out piece by piece from there. One
great way to do that is to pick up inexpensive smart bulbs
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and see what you think. You could then consider adding a sensor or two. If
you are more comfortable with electricity, you can install smart light switches
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to control several bulbs for a little more than an inexpensive smart bulb.
The best thing to do is to watch for deals. Voice assistants like the Echo and
Google Home go on sale frequently
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. Even if the cost does add up, it’s easy to spread out that cost over time,
so you feel less of the bite. You don’t have to buy every gadget, and you
certainly don’t have to buy them all at once!
RELATED:
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How to Put Together Your First Smarthome (Without Getting Overwhelmed)
Myth: Smarthomes are Always Listening to You
If you become a Smarthome owner, or at least a Voice Assistant user, you’ll
hear this frequently. But it isn’t true at all, at least not in the way people
fear. Voice Assistant devices, like Alexa
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and Google Home
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, do always listen. But they are only listening for their wake word (like
“Alexa” or “Hey, Google”).
This wake word is locally processed, and until the device hears those specific
words, it sends nothing to Amazon or Google. As soon as they do recognize the
wake word, they process the command that follows and then send it off for cloud
processing. If these devices were recording everything they heard and sending
it to the cloud, you’d see a drastic rise in network usage that would be easy
to spot.
How easy? When an early Google Home mini review unit was malfunctioning and
recording near constantly, the tech reviewer who had the unit realized fairly
quickly
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. This was, of course, unintentional, and Google was quick to remedy the
situation. But the point stands that near-constant recording is noticeable,
even to someone who isn’t a security researcher.
Both Amazon and Google also let you view (and delete) every voice command
you’ve ever given. Here’s how to view your history for the Amazon Echo
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and the Google Home
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.
Myth: Smarthomes are Easily Hacked
It stands to reason that every connected item is an additional avenue into your
home for hackers. But the weak point of your home probably isn’t your smart hub
or smart outlet. The weak point is probably your Wi-Fi Router. The key to any
secure connected home is a secure Wi-Fi network
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. And nearly every vulnerability shown for smarthome devices has required
physical access to the device, or at the very least remote access through your
network.
If you can keep would-be bad actors out of your home and out of your network,
then you will have gone a long way to preventing any trouble.
And always remember. People who want to do you harm or steal your stuff are
likely to choose the most accessible path. Why hack a smart lock
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, after all, when you can break a window?
Myth: Smarthomes are Difficult to Implement
Once upon a time, there was a grain of truth to this myth. But Smarthomes are
easier than ever to implement. You can get by with installing some Phillips Hue
light bulbs
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and a voice assistant of your choice. If you’ve ever changed a lock,
installing a smart lock is an almost identical process. If you have a little
technical know-how, you can follow the instructions to install a smart
thermostat like the Nest
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.
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How to Install and Set Up the Schlage Connect Smart Lock
And if you can change out a thermostat, the chances are good you can install a
smart switch. Even if you aren’t comfortable with wiring a switch, a smart plug
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is dead simple to install. You plug it in and then plug your device into the
smart outlet. A quick setup routine in a smartphone app and you’re good to go
Voice Assistants by their very nature are straightforward to set up and use.
This is especially true if you get one with a display, like the Google Home Hub
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.
The key is keeping a smarthome simple is to start small and build up. Yes, as
you add more devices and start thinking about routines and automation
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, things do get more complicated. But, you’ll also be growing more comfortable
with the tech as you go, and expanding will become easier and easier.
https://www.howtogeek.com/399151/common-smarthome-myths-that-just-aren%e2%80%99t-true/
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David Goldfield
Assistive Technology Specialist
Feel free to visit my Web site
WWW.DavidGoldfield.info
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--
David Goldfield, Assistive Technology Specialist Feel free to visit my Web site
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David Goldfield, Assistive Technology Specialist Feel free to visit my Web site
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