zroger73

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zroger73
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  • The best alternatives to Apple's discontinued AirPort routers

    According to the Wi-Fi map produced by my Roomba 890, my Apple AirPort Extreme covers my entire home. If my AAE were to die today, I'd probably replace it with a single Google Wi-Fi.
    saltyzip
  • Amazon unveils $79 Echo Dot Kids Edition, shipments start in May

    Surely, they jest. April Fool's Day was three weeks ago.
    watto_cobra
  • Channel checks, sales data on HomePod likely as wrong as it was about Apple Watch in 2015

    zroger73 said:
    I'm on my second HomePod since launch. The first one had a problem where Siri became hard of hearing after hours/days of use. Apple refunded my money and I bought another one at a retail store. Unfortunately, it does exactly the same thing. When Siri starts going deaf, all I have to do is unplug the HomePod and plug it back in and the operation returns to "perfection"...for hours or days. Apple couldn't solve my problem with the first one, so they refunded my money. They haven't been able to figure out why the second one does the same thing, either. All I get is escalations to another department who calls back a few days later and I go through the same "infinite loop". I had hopes the 11.3 update would resolve this issue, but it didn't. I also don't like how Siri answers me too loudly at times and too softly at others independent of the volume setting. The sound quality is impressive, but the voice control makes the product too frustrating for me. My "workaround"? I plugged the HP into a digital timer that turns off the power for one minute each day.

    When it works, it's well worth the $349 I paid for it. However, having to cycle the power to get it to work is unacceptable. I find myself using my Amazon Echo devices more often. Even though the sound quality is much lower, Alexa doesn't have a hearing problem.
    I can confirm that I have had exactly zero of the problems you are describing, maybe check your power/wiring situation occasionally electronics can act funny if the power to them fluctuates.
    Good suggestion, but my supply voltage is stable at 124 volts and clean according to my Rigol DS1054Z scope. The HomePod sits on a table about 20 feet form the nearest electronic device. If there was a line noise/RFI issue, I'd expect to have issues with other electronic devices - including my four Amazon Echo devices, which seem to operate flawlessly. I've about determined that my home was built on top of an ancient Indian burial ground. :(
    kruegdude
  • How to check if Facebook gave your data to Cambridge Analytica right now

    "Neither you nor your friend logged into 'This Is your Digital Life'.

    ...it doesn't appear your Facebook information was shared with Cambridge Analytica..."

    I find that hard to believe give the app activity of some of my friends. I've never used any apps and block any that I received invites from. I've taken what I believe to be reasonable steps to protect my privacy over the last decade on Facebook.


    watto_cobra
  • Apple now runs on 100 percent renewable energy

    "Earth's resources won't last forever."

    Well, neither will humans or Apple or our sun no matter how much "renewable energy" we use.

    How much CO2 was produced and will continue to be produced to manufacture and maintain those solar panels, batteries, fuel cells, wind-powered generators? Mmmhmm. Exactly.

    It's a nice PR move.
    tallest skilberndograndominternetperson