Tech aint what it used to be

[rvlifer]

I loved tech when i was young cause almost every day something else appeared that was truly helpful. I dont see that as much anymore and most of what i am seeing looks bad for the consumer, such as this

https://apnews.com/article/apple-siri-iphone-lawsuit-settlement-9b8ab3e079ae6962435f38eddb937b39

There are still some cool improvements bringing real value such as 3d printing and wireless connectivity for things like adjusting autolevelers and extending slides in your rv. But mostly it isnt good stuff. Everywhere i go anymore it seems a receptionist or company employee is apologizing for their computer not working, data breaches, security and anti fraud stuff stopping my ability to use credit cards and buy things, self checkout contributing to more stuff getting locked up in stores, and other stuff making things riskier and less convwnient than it used to be.

We recently went to a new doctor and had the address but not the office number. I figured i would just check the directory in the lobby. They went to a digital display and this is what it showed


i would like to feel better about tech again so would love to hear what you guys find is reaaly useful from tech stuff. Would probably be interesting to see odd stuff and ways it doesnt work too. Maybe i should gave titled this thread the good the bad and the ugly lol

 

[gwinger]

Amazon Alexa and Google home monitor every word you say 24 hours a day.
Siri on my phone only turns on when I press and hold the home button.
Things are gong to get worse with with AI being introduced on every device.

 

[rvlifer]

This is interesting but not sure how useful it really is. Ai in coffee makers? Is this legitimately useful or just something else to go wrong?

"If you're looking for a no-fuss smart coffee maker, this Keurig machine is it. The BrewID feature automatically recognizes the brand and roast of the pod and customizes the brew setting to the recommendations of the coffee experts who created it. However, you can still adjust the strength, temperature and size if you choose"

 

[Oldgator73]

If you're looking for a no-fuss smart coffee maker, this Keurig machine is it. The BrewID feature automatically recognizes the brand and roast of the pod and customizes the brew setting to the recommendations of the coffee experts who created it. However, you can still adjust the strength, temperature and size if you choose

I can do all this for no cost to my wife.

I’m still leery of our microwave, you know, they can eavesdrop on you through these appliances.

 

[tlmgcamp1]

It was about 10 years ago when an urgent care facility that I would occasionally use installed a touch screen to sign in. That meant that each patient's germs/bacteria that they had on their hands, or coughed/sneezed onto the screen was made available for the next person to pick up. A profitable business model for the facility but not very healthy for the patients.

 

[Onyrlef]

An article in the NYT today was about AI and God...Not sure what it was about because I don't ordinarily waste what remaing brain cells I have reading stupid sh**.

 

[rvlifer]

I have been shocked ar how filthy hospital cafeterias commonly are

 

[rvlifer]

An article in the NYT today was about AI and God...Not sure what it was about because I don't ordinarily waste what remaing brain cells I have reading stupid sh**.

Battlestar galactica was an awesome show

 

[JudyJB]

I don't drink coffee, but i would never trust a coffee pot that says it does all those things!! And in the past, and in the future when i settle down, I am going to buy a top-loading washing machine with three cycles only, plus maybe three water temps. Less to go wrong. My kids' families have those big front-loading washing machines with 15 cycles and the one even measures your load size and adjusts the wash cycles to match it!!! Hard to use and always breaking down.

Talk about the dumbing down of America--somehow I think most people know how to wash jeans differently than "delicates" without a washing machine making all these decisions for you.

And I have discovered that some McDonalds are no longer allowing you to order at a cash register with a real person. Instead of those so-called, self-serve, touch-screen kiosks. They never work. The last one I used, I tried a light touch, then a heavier touch, and finally ended up pounding the machine to try to get it to accept my selection!! Finally, had to get an employee to come over and touch it for me to get my order accepted. And tmlgcamp is right--those touch screens are filthy. With my weak immune system, I always wipe my hands with chlorox wipes after going into a store.

 

[JudyJB]

PS - IT people should focus more on getting the technology they have already developed to work better, and not on making constant unneeded "improvements."

 

[rvlifer]

I am going to buy a top-loading washing machine with three cycles only

Amen. I am a huge fan of these.

https://speedqueen.com/products/top-load-washers/tr3003wn/

PS - IT people should focus more on getting the technology they have already developed to work better, and not on making constant unneeded "improvement."

Amen again. Unfortunately there isnt as much money in fixing what you already have. Plus they gotta give their salespeople something to talk about lol

Honestly though it isnt as much the IT peoples fault as it is their managers

 

[gwinger]

It was about 10 years ago when an urgent care facility that I would occasionally use installed a touch screen to sign in. That meant that each patient's germs/bacteria that they had on their hands, or coughed/sneezed onto the screen was made available for the next person to pick up. A profitable business model for the facility but not very healthy for the patients.

You would think a medical facility would have hand sanitizers at those kiosks. Heck, even my doctors office has the at the check in window. Always has, even before covid.

 

[rvlifer]

Saw a 65" flat screen in walmart for under $300 today. Not exactly revolutionary but nice to see prices still coming down

 

[Alaskansnowbirds]

You would think a medical facility would have hand sanitizers at those kiosks. Heck, even my doctors office has the at the check in window. Always has, even before covid.

At our local hospital, when you check in, the register wipes the tablet, the touch screen pen and the counter top where you sat down with with a disinfecting wipe when you're done.

 

[rvlifer]

So far you guys arent helping me feel better about tech lol

 

[rvlifer]

Here is one i am looking forward to. Not holding my breath though. They've been saying this is the year for a very long time. Hopefully soon

https://www.insidehook.com/culture/wireless-tv-explained

 

[John From Detroit]

Amazon Alexa and Google home monitor every word you say 24 hours a day.
Siri on my phone only turns on when I press and hold the home button.
Things are gong to get worse with with AI being introduced on every device.

There is a reason They DO NOT monitor everything in this apartment (They have not been "invited" in and the reason they have not been invited in... Well the quoted text)
I'd like to get rid of "Google assistant" on my phone too. It is hard disabled. but it's still there.

 

[Onyrlef]

The courts this week determined that the FCC can no longer regulate providers like Verizon and AT&T in as far as net neutrality. So get your checkbook out. They can now use bandwidth to blackmail streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, etc., into paying up or getting buffered into irrelevance. Of course Verizon and AT&T are getting all that bandwidth via hundreds of thousands of miles of fiber optic cable the Federal Gov't paid for on the public dime.
The courts, as is usual today, punted to the Congress. Which for the giant telecoms who only have to write a few checks, amounting to pocket change, a Federal Court interpretation is the new law.

 

[Onyrlef]

PS - IT people should focus more on getting the technology they have already developed to work better, and not on making constant unneeded "improvements."

IT is not a monolith. Unless it innovates and progresses nothing will get better. The economist Neil Schumpeter coined the term "creative destruction" to describe the phenomena. We didn't even have a television until I was 8 or 9, the first time I saw anything in color was Bonanza ( it changed my world). We were watching the first episode of Kojak the other night and in the opening few scenes a pedestrian witnesses an armored car heist and runs to put a dime in a pay phone.

 

[Boat Bum]

I've also heard it called "disruptive innovation."