So Amazon is "pumped" to introduce a new "most powerful" way to collect information that will be "central to the home". "When you speak to Alexa, a recording of what you asked Alexa is sent to Amazon's cloud where we process your request and other information". Me: Not my home, that's for sure! And don't get me started about your Amazon cloud and AI. Amazon: "They beautifully fade into the background but are instantly there when you need them." Me: So you're saying we should leave it on all the time? I'd recommend using it on an isolated guest network and keeping it off when not in use. Wait, that's how I'm using my old $10 Alexa now, and it's just fine locked away in my library. So I guess I can save $US220? Amazon: But it now comes with "premium audio, next-generation AI processing and Omnisense." Me: How's your #privacy? The sound of "Omnisense" certainly fills me with confidence coming from a #datacollection tool. Is #databrokerage still lucrative? Amazon: but it's "a smarter, more personalized and proactive Alexa+ experience that intelligently acts proactively around your home." "Our next-generation AI assistant that gets things done and keeps you entertained" Me: So we're talking about a surveillance tool that I should pay for, then install all over my home so that Amazon can "proactively" spy on me while keeping me comfortably numb? Amazon: but these are "Simple but powerful products, powered by AI and connected by Alexa+, that are truly useful and impactful in people’s lives." Me: You know, I'm old enough to remember Alexa in its previous incarnation, where it was a useful tool that helped users understand the World Wide Web and was the basis of the Internet Archive, accessible through the Wayback Machine. It donated a copy to the Library of Congress to benefit everyone without tracking them. Amazon: but it now connects to "Ring's first-ever 4K cameras and an AI-powered community feature that helps find lost pets" Me: So this "simple product" is now part of a web of high-tech surveillance using high resolution cameras and hypersensitive microphones that will "help" find lost pets in addition to being "really impactful" in my life by monetizing all the data it collects about my business and family? Amazon: but Echo/Alexa+/Kindle/Ring is now "thinner, lighter, faster" and "the most advanced Echo devices we've ever built"! Me: It's okay. I work out. You can keep your "simple"/"most advanced" devices. Let's just stick to our original relationship, where I'm ordering books and you deliver them to me. That still works, despite your avaricious, monopolistic practices in the publishing space. Why ruin a good thing? Amazon: But your "information is treated with the highest standards of data #privacy and #security you’ve come to expect from Amazon". Me: Hyeah. Thanks for making my point. ["quotes" courtesy of Amazon's latest announcement about #Alexa+ and the new #Echo Dot's "Privacy" policy]

Amazon has officially announced its annual fall hardware event, set for September 30, 2025, in New York City. Historically, this stage has introduced major updates to Echo smart speakers, Fire TV devices, and Kindle lines—alongside surprise launches. Tech professionals and enthusiasts alike will be watching closely to see how Amazon shapes the connected home and digital ecosystem moving forward. #AmazonEvent #Innovation #TechIndustry https://lnkd.in/erU5DAmN

Everything Amazon Announced Today at Its Fall Hardware Event Amazon's next-gen Alexa chatbot is now available in four new Echo devices and a bevy of Ring cameras. The company also debuted three new Kindle Scribe tablets, one with a color screen. https://lnkd.in/e_aH6dxC

Amazon Just Made a Big Move in Tech! Today, Amazon is expected to launch Vega OS, its own operating system, replacing Android on new Fire TV devices. Why does this matter? • Amazon wants more control over its platform and user experience • Vega OS is already used in some Echo devices, but this is its first big public launch • It could change how we use smart TVs, apps, and voice assistants at home Also coming: • New Echo speakers with smarter Alexa+ built-in • A possible color Kindle combining the best of Scribe and Coloursoft • Maybe even Amazon’s first robot vacuum This isn’t just about gadgets. It’s about Amazon building its own tech ecosystem, from software to hardware, and stepping away from Google’s Android. #AmazonEvent #VegaOS #FireTV #EchoSpeaker #Kindle #SmartHome #TechNews #Innovation #AlexaPlus #OperatingSystem #LinkedInTech #SimpleTech #DigitalLife

😎 Cool Deals - September 9, 2025 https://lnkd.in/guaDmpAu  #Bose #QuietComfort Earbuds II - These noise-canceling earbuds are a "Best Seller" on Amazon, making them ideal for listening to your NotebookLM audio overviews without distractions. #Remarkable 2 Tablet - A distraction-free e-ink tablet that’s perfect for taking digital notes that you can then upload to NotebookLM for analysis. Overall Pick. #Anker #Soundcore Mini Speaker - A portable, affordable speaker, labeled as an "Ideal Pick," that is perfect for playing your audio overviews in a small group setting for a class or team meeting. Save 19% #electronics #gifts #CoolDeals #OneCoolTip @OneCoolTip

😎 Cool Deals - September 9, 2025 https://lnkd.in/gj8pEXi2  #Bose #QuietComfort Earbuds II - These noise-canceling earbuds are a "Best Seller" on Amazon, making them ideal for listening to your NotebookLM audio overviews without distractions. #Remarkable 2 Tablet - A distraction-free e-ink tablet that’s perfect for taking digital notes that you can then upload to NotebookLM for analysis. Overall Pick. #Anker #Soundcore Mini Speaker - A portable, affordable speaker, labeled as an "Ideal Pick," that is perfect for playing your audio overviews in a small group setting for a class or team meeting. Save 19% #electronics #gifts #CoolDeals #OneCoolTip @OneCoolTip

I keep wondering how much further Google will need to go in order to trigger Amazon going all-in on their #VegaOS. Given the recent #Android changes, maybe we're already there. Android still powers a number of Amazons devices; Most notably their Fire range of devices (TV streaming sticks and tablets). Google is now doing more work behind closed doors, and seems to have started a big move to ensuring that they're in control of Android, and that the open source community, non-GMS devices, and smaller developers, are a secondary concern. With Amazon Prime Video generating US$14bn for Amazon in 2023, and Fire TV being one of the most popular smart TV platforms (200+m users), moving it to Amazons' internally created Linux distribution (VegaOS) and off of Android would seem to be a good move to de-risk any future problems that Google might create. My understanding is the platform has been in development for at least a couple of years, and so there's been time for content providers to add Vega OS to their list of supported platforms (and I wouldn't be surprised to find Amazon offering to help fund that), so maybe this year we'll see a Vega OS powered Fire TV stick, which could trigger the idea of moving back to Linux for embedded systems in a number of peoples heads. https://lnkd.in/gX_2bCpr

Amazon is overhauling its Echo speakers with an all new Dot Max, revamped Studio as well as redesigned Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 speakers with screens that look more like tablets. Details and interviews: https://lnkd.in/guxFTgwD

When Steve Jobs used to lead Apple, he had one underlying philosophy: Simplicity. While competitors were "succeeding" with complex products and designs, Apple at that time redefined revolution. Rather invented it. Think of the world we live in. An app. A book. A company. Complexity is a great concealer of the clouding of your head. The deepest and the most relatable products are based focus on acute simplicity. Not everyone understands it. But the ones who do, escape a complex life. If that is not worth the pain, I don't know anything else that is.

Apple is primed to dominate Enterprise XR. Meta has fumbled this channel - are they capable, yes, it's just clearly been a low priority creating confusion and a lack of confidence in the market. Meanwhile, the ROI on increasing the speed and efficacy of onboarding and upskilling employees is moving rapidly in the positive direction. If their next gen device moves from a personalized device to one that is shared, they can and will move the needle in enterprise XR. Apple Meta