If Spotify or Google Music switched to the suggested model, or at least 50/50 suggested/current way - I'd happily subscribe IMMEDIATELY - probably even pay a family plan. Please?
SnapCash and SquareCash are one & the same. I think it's a great convenience to add CC to my FB, but since I do not use a real name, do not trust FB, and would be concerned about my account being compromised (though it probably makes you enter a CSC/PIN), I will not be using this any time in the near future.
I personally use SquareCash all the time, and also use PNC bank's complimentary POPmoney setup to transfer funds for free (with PNC, I scheduled a partial rent payment to go to my landlord's bank account automatically every paycheck).
I was thinking about making my own as well! I haven't done any research but you'd need a smartphone dock, a good microphone/speaker (wireless microphones/speakers around the house?!?). Better yet, mount a tablet on the wall somewhere convenient/attractive (living room, next to thermostat, etc.) and wire everything behind it.
Change Android settings to always listen when screen is on, then keep screen always on (dims when not active). Voice-controlled App support galore! Google Now! Develop whatever you need/want!
The Echo is a neat idea put into action, but it can be hacked together in a much better way, very easily.
I've thought about doing it, but I don't already have the devices in my home that are capable of being automated and I've got enough money dumped into projects that required bits like this that I never finished as it is.
I would, however, be interested in trying to create a room simulator. I did work on living space automation for a while, a few years ago (specifically for hotels, not homes). One of the most difficult parts of designing good user experiences was the lack of ability to rapidly test, due to the need to setup a ton of devices, associate them together, maybe even flash them with new ROMs. You could get in two, maybe three tests as day, if you were really cooking. I wanted to be able to test as fast as I could compile code, you know, like I had gotten used to in every other software project I had ever worked on. But electrical engineers work with primitive tools and seem to like it.
My car has a "sound symposer" feature, and a 6-speed manual transmission. It has a tube coming off the engine, through a butterfly valve, then into the firewall of the car. The butterfly valve opens when the engine is under high load, so that the car is quiet normally, and loud if you get on it (inside).
I really enjoy this feature, and have actually redirected the tubes past the valve so that the sound is always on 100% of the time. This allows me to hear the engine RPMs while shifting, instead of monitoring the RPM gauge. It also reminds me to be more mindful of fuel economy because I can hear when I'm wasting gas.
I can understand a fully electronic sound being annoying - and the feature would annoy me on an electric car like a Tesla... But with the setup that mine has - I think people are just whining and that this article reeks of sensationalism. Also, it can be easily disabled in about five minutes by anybody who can watch some how-to videos on YouTube.
Same here - I just purchased my first brand-new car from a dealership, and never thought it'd be a Ford. I've really come to respect them in the last year and they have actually become a close second in my top list under Tesla...
But this really hurts. I hope they realize how bad this looks in modern times.
I did my own construction (not recommended). From the Amazon reviews, I ended up buying my parents a Citikitty training kit. I think a review of their main competitor, Litter Kwitter, said that kit was a bit flimsy and could result in a heavy cat taking a bath.
I suppose there's always a chance that they'll miss during training, but neither I nor my parents had a problem. I had a fried try training three youngish kittens, and they had a couple mishaps, but I suspect that's par for the course.
Our cat will "dig" in clean toilet water, which is a little gross. Fortunately, she won't dip her toes in soiled water. I'd much rather our cat track a little toilet water than soiled litter, as at least that has the benefit of some chlorine. We have a "no mellow" policy in our house.
A recommendation: from day 1 we've rewarded our cat with the "Greenies" dental treats. As a result, she is pretty vocal about getting our attention when the toilet needs flushing, which is about twice a day (one solid, one liquid evacuation). Another benefit that we didn't anticipate, is that the vet always remarks at how clean her teeth are. So, win-win on the Greenies.
I did some marketing consulting for the "inventor" of citikitty (was on Shark Tank as you probably know). I just sent her the link to the article telling her she needs to invent some kind of consumable to her kit to get future residual income. I was half serious half kidding.
Interesting I don't use her product but we do have a cat.
She might like it. Although one potential issue is scaring off people by mentioning "germs". In other words putting an idea that didn't exist in many people's heads that they never thought of. Although also possible it would result in increased business as well.
Seeing as the YouTube video with the most views, Gangnam Style, has less than 2.2 billion views as of today... And the top channel has less than 7.1 billion views... I think the tip amount would need to be closer to $0.10/view, which I personally would not pay.
