Andy TaylorTechtalkRadio, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Andy Is Banished!

In this week’s show, Andy has been banished to the Island of Misfits after screwing up the order of Windows Operating Systems over the years. Handling the show duties are Justin and Shawn and cover the latest regarding Jeff Bezos who is now out as the CEO of Amazon and the guys talk about his stepping down 27 years to the day of him creating Amazon. In the 27 years, the Amazon Web Services has become a key player in how we use the Internet. Security with our Home Assistants are discussed, and Justin asks the important question, how much do we Trust Companies with our Data. Question have arisen regarding the Updated Privacy policy for Audacity and Justin and Shawn break down what it might mean for new and current users.

The Upcoming Windows 11 from Microsoft is discussed, and the guys talk about how Mac like it is and what is the reasoning for TPM. Shawn questions why since the system requirements for Windows 11 are said to only be in the 1Ghz CPU Range. Justin on Prime Day purchases a couple of Wyze Outdoor Cameras and has received them and loves them. Shawn and Justin talk about the benefits of Security Cameras and when it comes to Wyze, the inexpensive Wyze subscription service. Shawn talks about Northplay’s Fly Together software title for Nintendo Switch. He tells us about the title and how much fun he had exploring this flight simulator type game. Justin looks at Mario Golf and also loves the fun involved in playing it.

Shawn gets a new Motherboard and shares the info on the board and what it is designed for.
He got the deal from a friend who was able to be a part of a Newegg Shuffle deal. Now the planning of how to put it together happens. Justin jumps into using a NAS and goes with the Synology DS920 Plus, he explains how it is used with a Raid5 Array.

For the Website of the Week, Shawn and Justin recommend Password Manager 1Password to help manage passwords for greater security.

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DIRECTV NOW…maybe…

One of their attempts to woo subscribers, which I found appealing…being the cheapskate I am…is an offer including a free Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote if you prepay for one month. They accept payment via a credit card, or PayPal account.

At this moment, their least expensive service is the “Live a Little” package, at $35 per month. It includes “60+” channels:
A&E
ABC
AMC
Animal Planet
Audience
AXS TV
Baby First
BBC America
BET
Bloomberg TV
Bravo
C-SPAN
C-SPAN2
Cartoon Network
CMT
CNBC
CNN
Comedy Central
Crime & Investigation
Discovery
Disney Channel
Disney Junior
Disney XD
E!
El Rey
ESPN
ESPN2
Food Network
Fox
Fox Business Network
Fox News Channel
FOX Sports 1
Freeform
FX
FXX
Galavision
Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
HGTV
HISTORY
HLN
Investigation Discovery
Lifetime
MSNBC
MTV
MTV2
National Geographic Channel
NBC
Nick Jr.
Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite
Pursuit Channel
RFD-TV
Spike
Syfy
TBS
TCM
TeenNick
Telemundo
TLC
TNT
TruTV
TV Land
Univision
USA Network
Velocity
VH1
Viceland
WE tv
WeatherNation

On their website, they state you can “Watch on your computer”. Per DIRECTV NOW…supported browsers include “Internet Explorer 11+ (on Windows 8 or higher)”, “Chrome 50+”, and “Safari 8+”.  So…

While on their website, I chose to “Chat with DIRECTV NOW”. Some of our conversation is as follows.  (“You” is me.)

You: Is Adobe Flash support required for use with the Google Chrome browser?

Leslie: Usually, Adobe Flash player is not required for Google Chrome browser though.

STRIKE #1: my direct question was not answered.

Leslie: Did you already receive a confirmation email after placing your DIRECTV Now order?…You will only be able to stream DIRECTV Now after placing your order though and after you have received the order confirmation email.

STRIKE #2: I need to place an order to know if I will be able to use the service.

Leslie: Also, you can stream from either Edge, Internet Explorer, Google, and Firefox.

STRIKE #3: Edge and Firefox are not mentioned on https://directvnow.com (only “Internet Explorer 11+ (on Windows 8 or higher)”, “Chrome 50+”, and “Safari 8+”).

I attempted to create an account…but it did not seem to complete. Later, in one of my e-mail accounts, I noticed a message from DIRECTV…that my account had been created. OK…

I cannot watch DIRECTV NOW on my Google Chromebook:

On my Linux computer, using Google Chrome…I also cannot watch DIRECTV NOW.

So…Google Chrome 50+ is not a fully supported browser, as they claim.

On that same computer…I cannot watch DIRECTV NOW when using Firefox. Which does have Adobe Flash support enabled.

I have been able to use their iOS app…but can only watch “FreeVIEW”:  “…’FreeVIEW’ status lets you preview select content for free…”

All I’ve seen are promotional announcements.

For comparison purposes, CNET posted in DirecTV Now vs. Sling TV vs. PlayStation Vue:  “…DirecTV Now and for a limited time, customers can sign up for a promotional deal that offers more than 100 channels for $35 a month.”

And a spreadsheet showing “which cities have access to the local broadcasts of ABC, Fox and NBC on the DirecTV Now service”…
Chicago
Los Angeles
New York
Philadelphia
San Jose

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New Kindles…watch video while offline!

There are new Kindle Fire tablets:

All-New Kindle Fire HD 7″ Tablet
7″ HD Display, Wi-Fi, 8GB or 16GB
$139.00

All-New Kindle Fire HDX 7″ Tablet
7″ HDX Display, Wi-Fi, Optional 4G LTE Wireless, 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB
$229.00

All-New Kindle Fire HDX 8.9″ Tablet
8.9″ HDX Display, Wi-Fi, Optional 4G LTE Wireless, 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB
$379.00

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CU0NSCU/ref=sd_allcat_kdpso#kindle-compare

The HD has a dual-core processor; the HDX tablets have quad-core processors.  I can tell the difference in performance of the two types…maybe because I can be consided a “power user” of all kinds of technology (computers, phones, and tablets)  and tend to push them to their limits.  If you intend on using them in in situations that pertain to heavy video and graphic uses…get the quad-core units.

What’s more impressive to me, is the enhancement to Amazon Prime:

“Prime members can now download hundreds of Prime Instant Video movies and TV shows to watch anywhere—on a plane, on vacation, or in the car. Prime Instant Video is the only U.S. online video subscription streaming service that offers offline viewing, and it’s included at no additional cost.”

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After composing this post, I found viewing Amazon Prime content offline has been available via iOS:

“Download purchased and rented videos from Your Video Library for offline viewing on airplanes, road trips, or when a Wi-Fi connection is unavailable…

“…Requires iOS 5.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch…”

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new Kindles…

There’s too much to try to summarize…the press releases can be found at:

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1732545&highlight=

and…

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1732546&highlight=

—————————————————————

Other press releases you might find interesting are promoting:

Audible and Amazon Introduce “Immersion Reading” and “Whispersync for Voice”—Two Momentous Steps Forward for Reading

Introducing “X-Ray for Movies,” Powered by IMDb and Available Exclusively on the All-New Kindle Fire Family

Amazon Publishing Introduces Kindle Serials—Great Stories, One Episode at a Time

Amazon and EPIX Announce New Prime Instant Video Agreement – Prime Instant Video Selection has more than Doubled since the Launch of Kindle Fire Last Year

Amazon Announces Expanded Prime Instant Video Agreement with NBCUniversal Cable & New Media Distribution

Amazon Brings Award Winning ESPN 30 for 30 Film Series to Prime Instant Video

Amazon Launches Textbook Rental

Amazon Instant Video App Now Available for iPad

On Prime Instant Video First: Amazon Announces Digital Video License Agreement with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, Bringing Acclaimed TV Shows

Exclusively to Kindle Fire and Prime Customers

Hundreds of Classic TV and Movie Titles from MGM Coming to Prime Instant Video

Amazon Instant Video Now Available on Xbox 360, with Access to ‘Your Video Library’ and Prime Instant Video

Hundreds of Critically-Acclaimed and Blockbuster Films from Paramount Pictures Coming to Prime Instant Video

They can be found at http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-news&nyo=0