• Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
  • CCPA
  • Medical Disclaimer
Saturday, February 4, 2023
Midland County News Online
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Technology
    • Crytpocurrency
    • Gaming
    • Gadgets
  • Sports
  • Health
  • General
    • Business Services
  • Travel
  • Press Releases
  • Popular
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Technology
    • Crytpocurrency
    • Gaming
    • Gadgets
  • Sports
  • Health
  • General
    • Business Services
  • Travel
  • Press Releases
  • Popular
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Technology Gadgets

Scotty – Beam Me Up – Red Bluff Daily News

scotty-–-beam-me-up-–-red-bluff-daily-news
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Here I go again. I just can’t get over all these new gadgets, and I keep ordering more. Wi-Fi lightbulbs, plugs, and now an Echo Dot. It’s like being a kid again. One reason I write about this stuff is because I want to encourage older folks (like me) to be more adventurous and take advantage of these gizmos. They can make our lives easier, more enjoyable, and safer.

I bought an Echo Dot — a small round speaker with a microphone that connects to the Amazon Alexa app. They also included a Wi-Fi lightbulb for me to play with. We have a table lamp in the living room with a dying three-way switch. Those bulbs can be pricey and hard to find.

I already had the Alexa app installed to run my mom’s Echo Show — a larger version of Dot, but with a small screen and camera. I can “drop in” from my phone and check on her. She can also call anyone in my phone contacts by just asking Alexa. I also have a camera that covers the living and dining rooms, part of kitchen and my mom’s bedroom door. I can talk to her through that camera as well, when she’s out there.

So, that funky living room lamp is now voice-controlled by Alexa. I am also able to dim it, select different “whites” or even colors. The switch on the cord of our dining room chandelier went bad and I tried unsuccessfully to replace it. I had another Wi-Fi plug, so I repaired the wire, and used that plug for the chandelier. My mother always had a devil of a time using the other switch anyway, and she loves commanding Alexa to turn on the dining room light. But she always remembers to say “thank-you.”

Back to the new Echo Dot. I hooked it up next to my reading chair in the living room, and what a treat! It also turns on the LED light strip on the stairs, and if I have to get up at night, I just tell Alexa to turn on the stairs and living room light. I bought even more plugs and used one for the Christmas tree. No more bending down to unplug it anymore.

So, I bought some more bulbs. I put two in our master bedroom lamps, which also had failing three-way switches. On my way up the stairs I can turn them both on by voice, rather than grope around in the dark. And I can dim them too. I already use one of these plugs with my swamp cooler, which makes life easier in the summer.

But the real fun is sitting in my chair with a book, then – “Alexa, play instrumental classical background music” or “jazz” or whatever I want. I asked if she had any Jean-Luc Ponty, and she started playing something. If I tell her I like a song, and she’ll save that information, or skip something I don’t like – or shuffle. And what’s really cool is that if I ask her the name of the tune and the artist, she can tell me.

I asked for Sarah Brightman the other morning and then heard 30 minutes from “Phantom” along with some other tunes. She also can play Jefferson Public Radio, or any streaming station. I don’t have to use the app on my phone to listen – and that little Echo speaker actually sounds pretty good. The Alexa app even has an equalizer to adjust the sound.

I sometimes feel like I’m on the bridge of the Enterprise with all this tech. “Computer” (aka Alexa) “fix my favorite lunch.” Maybe not yet, but soon. And she’ll probably have the robot do it.

Corky Pickering and his wife relocated from the Bay Area to Cottonwood in 2014. He retired from the federal government as an attorney advising law enforcement. He has been a rock and roll bass player and a Marine JAG. He can be reached at thecork6@gmail.com.

Midland County News Online

© 2021 Midland County News Online

Navigate Site

  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
  • CCPA
  • Medical Disclaimer

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • DMCA Policy
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • CCPA
  • Terms of Use

© 2021 Midland County News Online

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT