Curious Canid

I’ve just been looking for something to replace One Note. The timing of this announcement worked out really well for me. :-)

Thanks!

Take a look at the suggestions in this article: https://www.lifewire.com/stop-alexa-from-listening-5121012

If you disable the microphone, except when you want to use it, that should severely limit what it can do. If you also set the option that tells Amazon not to keep any of your recordings that should keep you fairly safe.

The caveat is that Amazon can decide to cheat at any time. They have repeatedly lied about what information that acquire, how long they retain it, and what they do with it. At the moment, they don’t seem to be cheating on the Echo functions, but that could change at any time with an invisible firmware update. There isn’t anything you can do about this except to be aware of the possibility.

It is definitely worth using the privacy options they offer, even if they aren’t enforced through hardware.

WearOS has a built-in media control that you can configure to pop up automatically when the phone is playing music or video. There are also multiple apps that act as remote controls for the phone’s camera. Mine also displays the camera view on the watch, which can be very handy.

The third-party media players often provide more detailed controls. They handle a broader range of formats (particularly VLC). And some of them perform better.

To be honest, though, the main reason I use third-party players is because I’m familiar with them. It’s similar to the advantages of using a third-party launcher. You have a lot more control over when and how you upgrade your UI experience.

And, on a side note, one of the best things about having a smartwatch is being able to control my phone’s media players without taking out my phone.

I use MX Player, PowerAmp, and VLC for various things.

Huge Digital Clock Pro is the app I mentioned. Just bear in mind that it only does a small part of what you’re looking for.

I’d be interested in that too. I have an app that adjusts between day and night illumination levels based on the actual sunrise and sunset, but it just toggles between high and low.

If an app still works, it doesn’t matter whether or not it is being maintained.

I knew that was true of new articles, but did not realize it also happened with opinion pieces like this one. Thank you for the information.

I generally agree with the content of the article, but the headline destroys its credibility. No one who might possibly have their mind changed is going to go anywhere near it.

I will admit to over-reacting. I’m just sick of watching people with something important to say undermine themselves by adopting the emotionally exploitive rhetoric of the other side.

I suppose it’s inevitable, but the amount of ridiculous propaganda being posted here by a small by a number of people is making this community both less useful and less pleasant. Bizarre conspiracy theories and hatred are not news.

I understand what you mean, but there’s a good chance that some of them will die without heat. And even a few deaths like that are significant, no matter how large the city.

I wish I could just get Prime shipping and drop the video service. I may still drop the whole thing.

Every years or so I try out a bunch of alternate keyboards. Then I go back to using Gboard. {sigh}

I’ve been using swipe typing for years and I just can’t get by without it. None of the privacy oriented keyboards do it well enough to really be usable yet.

PlayOn produces higher resolution files than AnyStream on the services I use most frequently.

AnyStream has worked well for me. Sadly, I often get better quality results with PlayOn.

Same here. The author did a good job of laying out there position right up front. And their position is based on ridiculous assumptions. There are some genuine concerns with the way the Ukraine government is suppressing opposition voices, but they destroyed their credibility completely before they even got to that point.

Personally, I think the declaration of martial law and the subsequent moves to limit opposition are probably justified when faced with an existential threat like the Russian invasion.

Glad I could help. :-)

I had somehow missed that one. Thanks for giving me something else to laugh about.

How could even Microsoft release a product named WinCE? I’ve marveled at it for decades.