Since most Bobcats use technology every day, there are a few new products available for purchase online that many may find useful.
If you hadn’t already realized, Amazon runs the world. You can purchase literally anything on the website, and lately it's been coming out with some of the most futuristic products in tech that are aimed at making life easier and more convenient.
If you’re a little late to the party, here are three of Amazon’s newer products that will have you wanting to overnight an order to your doorstep:
Recently, I bought an Amazon Fire TV Stick, and I’m surprised I lived so long without it. The small device, which looks like a USB stick, plugs into the HDMI slot on your TV and essentially turns it into a smart TV. Through it, you can access Amazon streaming, Netflix, Hulu, YouTube and a ton of other apps and games. You can also rent movies from Amazon right on it. The only thing it needs is to also be plugged into a power outlet and have a wireless connection.
I’m a Netflix addict and love to have TV episodes playing the background when I’m doing studying or schoolwork, but I would always struggle to do both at the same time on my laptop. I can safely say this has solved my dilemma. There are many other streaming devices like this out there. For example, Google Chromecast allows you to mirror your laptop onto the screen.
The Fire stick is also mobile. You can move it from TV to TV without having to change your settings, which makes it perfect for dorm or off-campus living.
This next item is something I never knew I needed until I discovered its existence: The Dash button. The little buttons can be affixed to anywhere in your room and correspond to specific products, such as KRAFT Macaroni or Tide detergent. When you’re getting low or are out of said product, you can simply press the button, and it will automatically reorder and ship it to you.
This is exclusive for Prime members and the buttons function through Wi-Fi and the Amazon app on your phone. While I have yet to try out these, I think I’m going to need to buy a few in the future — they’re only $5 on the site.
The final product, which you’ve probably heard about, is Amazon Echo. Like Siri gone wild, Echo is a cylinder-shaped device that listens and interacts to everything you do around it (Creepy!). The speaker is named Alexa, and she listens to everything you tell and ask her. Some people have even said she hears over some pretty loudly played music.
You can ask Alexa simple questions, have her control your music or home devices or set your calendar. The voice is far less annoying than Siri and is way more intuitive. Essentially, it’s reminiscent of the classic Disney channel movie Smart House.
One of my favorite reviews for the product is from a writer named E.M. Foner, which says “Since Alexa came into my life, I’m no longer alone 24 hours a day. Which begs the question, if I’m not alone, who is in the room with me? Amazon? The so-called cloud? The NSA?”
While I’m probably not going to drop my money on this anytime soon ($179, if you were wondering), I’m sure it would be greatly beneficial for anyone looking for a new roommate, assistant, spy or home furnishing. Seriously, go check out a video of this device and you’ll realize just how incredible technology can be.
Sophie Kruse is a senior majoring journalism and minoring in business and marketing. What is your favorite Amazon gadget? Email her at sk139011@ohio.edu or tweet her @kruseco
