Posted on 03/04/2018 3:00:43 AM PST by Chickensoup
Tech Ping: Wanted a Device to Listen to Books and Radio and Music... So went to my local Staples and they sold me something called a fire7 get this...with ALEXA.
All I wanted was a machine that would essentially replace the Sony Walkman that was in my pocket 20 years ago.
What I got was a device that is essentially a pocket computer that tracks and listens to me. for 45 dollars. Which means that it is funded by the apps to get in my life.
I had no idea that ALEXA came with it, and I did not open it and I will be taking it back.
What a horrowshow.
Is there anything out there that is a device I could use to listen to music, download radio aps and listen to books that isn't a walking tracking device and intrusive. I guess I believe in the old idea of distributed processing, different devices for different things.
BTW my phone is steam-powered. And I like it. So no, no fancy phone.
All I wanted was a machine that would essentially replace the Sony Walkman that was in my pocket 20 years ago.
What I got was a device that is essentially a pocket computer that tracks and listens to me. for 45 dollars. Which means that it is funded by the apps to get in my life.
I had no idea that ALEXA came with it, and I did not open it and I will be taking it back.
What a horrowshow.
Is there anything out there that is a device I could use to listen to music, download radio aps and listen to books that isn't a walking tracking device and intrusive. I guess I believe in the old idea of distributed processing, different devices for different things.
BTW my phone is steam-powered. And I like it. So no, no fancy phone.
I will be back at my computer later today, although I will be able to monitor response. just thought I would put it out there now.
I see that Mr Coffee has a wifi enabled model...how soon before there is media playback module for it.
;>)
Pocket size voice recorder with USB connection. They are amazing devices. Check Sony and Philips brands.
and ALEXA asks you how you like it made...
wait no it doesn’t, IT ALREADY KNOWS!!
a voice recorder?
Could you give me a link? I am not familiar?
Does it play radio too.
I could have a separate radio device though.
The device you desire does not exist. Wanting to “download radio apps” means you’re getting some kind of WiFi-enabled device which will come with something like Alexa.
Your best bet is an Android (google) phone that you can then strip down to the basics.
There are dozens of mp3 players that will play books and music but if you also want over-the-air radio your choices are pretty limited.
Ths Sandisk Clip players are pretty widely available but don’t have an AM tuner - only FM.
iPod Nano.
None of that stuff.
I prefer a free e-book reader. Plenty to read.
I have a thing in my van that lets me listen to books and music on CDs and radio programming with a radio.
“BTW my phone is steam-powered. And I like it. So no, no fancy phone.”
I listen to all of the above a on my phone. Also watch videos and movies on it.
LOL!
You can turn Alexa off.
Other than that, you’re basically looking for a device that’s wifi enabled so you can put stuff on it.
I think Amazon has the widest selection of books while Apple was known for having the widest selection of music. But if you’re not into cutting age stuff then they’ll both be equally as good.
The business model for Amazon Alexa is not apps (their own or third party) to spy on you or get in your life. It is to sell you Amazon services. The first thing they will want is your CC so they can sign you up for more and more stuff. Alexa will be unhappy with you unless you pay her $10 a month minimum.
She will even say so. You will ask to hear a specific song and she might say "here's a snippet of that song" and play the snippet. But usually she will say I can play that if you sign up for XYZ music services. So technically she's not pushing apps because unlike a phone there is no screen space for ads. Instead she is pushing services which you pay for with a monthly fee.
Think of her as a needy girlfriend who is kind of cheap, kind of useless, but always needy.
I got my kids unused but out of date premium phones. You can get a unused LG G3 on ebay for about $140 with free shipping. If you skip activating it you can used WiFi for almost everything.
There are apps that you load on your phone that could read your book to you.
Just an observational rant;
It will also remember that you visited their site. Big ‘cookie storage’ message as soon as their page loads!
The world is crazy on tracking our every move and selling your info to others. The product we want doesnt even matter any more. Pricing across the board is so that its obvious that the product inside the bottle/package is not exactly what you want, but the package is fancy and its as close as you are gonna get.Plus, you’re gonna need a blow torch to get it out of the package.
I think the regular plane jane digital Sony Walkman is still USB interface only at $79. The new A45 Walkmans are $200 with bluetooth and USB but not wi-fi.
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