New "top of the line Kindle" details coming next week

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by shalym

But TTS and audio capabilities would satisfy the ADA...no need to hook it up to Alexa. That's what I don't understand. What do you gain by hooking the Kindle to Alexa that you don't gain by simply giving it TTS?

Shari

Less CPU usage, better voice/audio quality, easier to maintain and update.
Alexa audio is processed in the cloud and the only local resources are the streaming code.
And that is just the playback.
The voice controls are something that the lean Kindle hardware can't really handle. Period.

You keep focusing on the playback when the ADA issue is the interface navigation. Kindles have *visual* interfaces. Alexa would give them conversational interfaces which may not add much for the sighted but would dramatically aid the visually impaired...
...plus open the doors to institutional sales.

That last bit might just figure into Amazon's thinking.
Possibly.

[shalym]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Less CPU usage, better voice/audio quality, easier to maintain and update.
Alexa audio is processed in the cloud and the only local resources are the streaming code.
And that is just the playback.
The voice controls are something that the lean Kindle hardware can't really handle. Period.

You keep focusing on the playback when the ADA issue is the interface navigation. Kindles have *visual* interfaces. Alexa would give them conversational interfaces which may not add much for the sighted but would dramatically aid the visually impaired...
...plus open the doors to institutional sales.

That last bit might just figure into Amazon's thinking.
Possibly.

So if the processing is done in the cloud, then it would have to have an always-on connection? I guess that would explain the need for an extra battery in the case. It would also mean that it would have no interest for me.

Shari

[booklover6]

Originally Posted by shalym

So if the processing is done in the cloud, then it would have to have an always-on connection? I guess that would explain the need for an extra battery in the case. It would also mean that it would have no interest for me.

Shari

I share your feelings. No thanks. I'd like to see "Alexa" on my Fire phone and tablets.

[Jason90]

Originally Posted by shalym

So if the processing is done in the cloud, then it would have to have an always-on connection? I guess that would explain the need for an extra battery in the case. It would also mean that it would have no interest for me.

Shari

What if Amazon gave us access for free via the 3G model,now that would be pretty sweet.

[shalym]

Originally Posted by Jason90

What if Amazon gave us access for free via the 3G model,now that would be pretty sweet.

It would still chew up battery, and it wouldn't work in places that don't have access to 3G.

Shari

[Barty]

Originally Posted by shalym

But TTS and audio capabilities would satisfy the ADA...no need to hook it up to Alexa. That's what I don't understand. What do you gain by hooking the Kindle to Alexa that you don't gain by simply giving it TTS?

Shari

I'd be perfectly happy to get TTS without Alexa. However, Amazon may have other plans. Like expanding their platform everywhere.

[Barty]

Originally Posted by shalym

So if the processing is done in the cloud, then it would have to have an always-on connection? I guess that would explain the need for an extra battery in the case. It would also mean that it would have no interest for me.

Shari

Always connected means any potential jailbreak will be under constant attack from Amazon. Eek.

[Jason90]

Originally Posted by Barty

Always connected means any potential jailbreak will be under constant attack from Amazon. Eek.

I thought recent firmwares blocked jailbreaking anyway,it's probably going to be locked down from the start.

[fjtorres]

Alexa is not always on everywhere.
That is only on the Echos.
The Tap and the FireTV use Alexa on demand.
Ditto for third party products using Alexa as a front end.

And just because they add it to the high end model (*if*they add it) doesn't mean you have to use it.

There's plenty of features in Kindles and tablets I don't use; doesn't mean they're not useful to others or worth having in the product.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by Barty

Always connected means any potential jailbreak will be under constant attack from Amazon. Eek.

Always connected *while playing audio*.

[shalym]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Always connected *while playing audio*.

I don't see how that would work with regards to "Accessibility" I'm pretty sure that the read aloud feature in Android and iOS (and the Fire, btw) doesn't require an always on connection, since my blind uncle has used his tablet while on on plane before. If a function needs a constant Internent connection in order to work, I don't believe that it would qualify as "accessible".

Shari

[Jason90]

Your right an always connected TTS will have problems,who knows maybe the kindle version could work locally.

[ApK]

Enhanced cloud functionality doesn't preclude some local functionality as well.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by ApK

Enhanced cloud functionality doesn't preclude some local functionality as well.

It's funny how people get so riled up over "always connected" when that is exactly how cellphones and cable boxes work.

I'm pretty sure most people with accessibility needs will find "always connected" to be better than "no commercial ebook reader."

But I could be wrong, though...

[shalym]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

It's funny how people get so riled up over "always connected" when that is exactly how cellphones and cable boxes work.

I'm pretty sure most people with accessibility needs will find "always connected" to be better than "no commercial ebook reader."

But I could be wrong, though...

Actually, the read aloud app on a cell phone/tablet can still be used even in airplane mode. A device that wouldn't work unless it was connected probably wouldn't be considered ADA compliant, which was part of your reasoning for connecting the Kindle to Alexa.

What does the connectivity of cable boxes have to do with anything? Last time I checked, cable boxes were not meant to be portable in any way, and also had no "accessibility" features built in to them.

Shari