Let’s start some Kindle rumors!

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by stuartjmz

... I ike to be able to at least pretend there's a few minutes of the day when one of the tech megacorps isn't slurping my data, so any integratuion with something like Alexa, however limited, makes not buying it a no-brainer.

I hope Alexa is not on any new Kindle. If it is though, that might explain why they would want to change the firmware to Android. If that's the case I hope older Kindles can stay where they are. I don't want Android and I don't want Alexa.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by SpencerT

Internal GPS

What would be the benefit of that? What would it be used for?

Originally Posted by HarryT

What would be the benefit of that? What would it be used for?

If it worked in the book's universe, that would be awesome - "you are now on the border of Mordor", "Patrician Vetinari's official residence is 150 metres to your right" etc

[John Hopper]

Originally Posted by stuartjmz

The rumours of including Alexa were GREAT news for me. Despite having only got my Clara HD last week, if the new Kindle pushed all the right the buttons for me, I'd have been tempted to spend money I can't afford to get one. But Alexa is H*E*L*L* NO territory for me, along with every other smart home hub. I ike to be able to at least pretend there's a few minutes of the day when one of the tech megacorps isn't slurping my data, so any integratuion with something like Alexa, however limited, makes not buying it a no-brainer.

The reports seem to speak of limited Alexa functionality, applying to things like X-Ray and Wordwise, so if you don't have an Alexa (I don't either, and have no interest in getting one), presumably you just wouldn't use that functionality.

"presumably you just wouldn't use that functionality. "

Yep, but it's feature bloat and oe more thing to disable. Plus, Alexa and its ilk are infamously aggressive about data sucking even when they're allegedly "off", so I'm staying happily paranoid on this one

[mewmartigan]

I find the "alexa" rumors hard to believe. Either you'd need a dedicated button to activate her or she's always listening which would eat up an e-ink device battery. You'd also need a speaker unless you can only hear her through Bluetooth and headphones? In which case she is a limited function that would then only work in limited situations? That is a whole lot of effort for a silly bullet point.

Amazon has been pretty good about stressing that the kindle is just for books...leave alexa to the fire tablets.

I wonder if this new Paperwhite will see some of the old Voyage in it? Flush screen?

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by mewmartigan

I find the "alexa" rumors hard to believe. Either you'd need a dedicated button to activate her or she's always listening which would eat up an e-ink device battery. You'd also need a speaker unless you can only hear her through Bluetooth and headphones? In which case she is a limited function that would then only work in limited situations? That is a whole lot of effort for a silly bullet point.

Amazon released several devices recently that can be controlled by Alexa without actually having Alexa voice interfaces built in. With that you could select a book by name, open it, turn pages, lookup words and characters, and perform other actions by interacting with an Echo device elsewhere in the room.

That would be of benefit to those with mobility and fine motor control problems. It would also be a gateway to allowing control of the Kindle using other trigger devices, such as a foot pedal to turn pages.

[Wearever]

I can certainly see them adding Alexa and Audio bluetooth to the new paperwhite. Both are central to Amazon's sale strategy. I don't use those myself, but they will probably need to add more storage as well. I guess we'll have to wait and see what else it has. A flush screen perhaps like the Voyage.
I also agree the feather on the pic, would indicate light weight.

[mewmartigan]

Originally Posted by jhowell

Amazon released several devices recently that can be controlled by Alexa without actually having Alexa voice interfaces built in. With that you could select a book by name, open it, turn pages, lookup words and characters, and perform other actions by interacting with an Echo device elsewhere in the room.

That would be of benefit to those with mobility and fine motor control problems. It would also be a gateway to allowing control of the Kindle using other trigger devices, such as a foot pedal to turn pages.

You mean like enabling "paperwhite" as an Alexa skill? Then you would have to be near (i.e. on same wifi network) your alexa device to get it to work.

Maybe I am mis-remembering but what devices actually have alexa onboard with no speaker?

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by mewmartigan

You mean like enabling "paperwhite" as an Alexa skill? Then you would have to be near (i.e. on same wifi network) your alexa device to get it to work.

You would also need to be near enough to be within voice range. That would be a limitation.

Originally Posted by mewmartigan

Maybe I am mis-remembering but what devices actually have alexa onboard with no speaker?

AmazonBasics Microwave, 0.7 Cu. Ft, 700W, Works with Alexa

And also coming soon:

Echo Wall Clock

Waddles the Smart Duck

Dancing animatronic toys

Big Mouth Bill Bass with lip sync to Alexa

[jackie_w]

Originally Posted by jhowell

AmazonBasics Microwave, 0.7 Cu. Ft, 700W, Works with Alexa

And also coming soon:
Echo Wall Clock
Waddles the Smart Duck
Dancing animatronic toys
Big Mouth Bill Bass with lip sync to Alexa

And there was I thinking these corporate listening devices were a complete waste of time if you're able-bodied. How wrong I've been!

Originally Posted by jhowell

That would be of benefit to those with mobility and fine motor control problems.

"Fine motor control problems" are why I use ereaders over dead tree books. But even as the effects of my CP become more obvious I still say "they can push IoT crud into my cold, dead , spastic hands"

[Threepwood]

I would love to see Immersion Reading support on an upcoming Kindle

[Wearever]

Originally Posted by jackie_w

And there was I thinking these corporate listening devices were a complete waste of time if you're able-bodied. How wrong I've been!

Lol ! That's only the tip of the iceberg. Starts with bodies and ends with minds. Toys and gizmos are only the beginning. Amazon wants Alexa in everything they possibly can. It doesn't matter if it's silly or useless. That will probably help sell more though.

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by Threepwood

I would love to see Immersion Reading support on an upcoming Kindle

Me too. It would make a dubious feature (ability to play audiobooks on a Kindle, something analogous to a talking dog) into one I would actually use.

Accessibility of Kindles could be improved considerably if they implemented Bluetooth profiles for keyboards and ‘switch controls’ e.g.: https://www.apple.com/shop/accessori.../accessibility
Also they need to add non-English language support for VoiceView (Spanish, French, Japanese, etc.). And yes, an Echo device could be another way to navigate.

As for Alexa, I have bought 3 Echos (none in use), and have more or less relegated my Fire HD8 to living in its charging dock. I don’t have much interest in ‘smart home’ applications, or in ordering stuff from Amazon by voice. Even controlling music by voice is not that a great an experience, particularly for Classical music, e.g. if you want to play a specific album with specific orchestra or performer etc, and none of Amazon’s devices really sweat the details of sound production. I don’t really see what their vision around this is, if they even have one other than that of the Borg culture (‘you will be assimilated; resistance is futile’).