I got tired of having it sit on a (hand made... in high school, no less) book shelf, collecting heat all day. Since the Roku doesn't have a power button, I always worry about the thing over heating and catching things on fire. As sill as it is, you never know; it could happen.
So... after 3 years of having the Roku sit and hide, it's now hanging and hiding.
It was surprisingly easy to install; as the kit comes with everything you need, along with directions for TV mount or wall mount (if your TV hangs off the wall). All it took was figuring out what the slots were on the back of my Vizio, and 1, 2, 3, hooked! Literally, 5 minutes.
Since the mount is relatively cheap (@ $11.99 plus tax and/or shipping), it's worth it. I haven't had any problems watching shows with it on the TV vs when it was under the TV (it sat on the same shelf as the television). I know the directions suggest hooking it up in such a way (for wall mount or apartment problems), that the remote can find the device, but I've done neither, so it's not an issue. If anything, there's a two foot difference in placement.
I also didn't need to purchase any extra HDMI cables - the nice thing about the TV I have, is there are 3 HDMI inputs, so I could place my original cable in any port, but the mount still gives me a decent amount of space, to be able to leave my set up the way it was. Which is a good thing.
I know some of the reviews for this suggest Velcro, and I was originally intending on trying it out, but the Velcro I got was the 3M command strips. They didn't hold so well (because of the heat on the Roku), and I wasn't going to get Velcro velcro because it leaves sticky residue. I don't need that if I decide to get rid of the TV*. Or upgrade the Roku. Whatever comes first. The mount is perfect because it's peace of mind, outside of failed strip idea. Plus, it's seemingly cleaner looking, even though I've to too many wires back there (damn cable box... those free boxes they give out, aren't HDMI friendly. Bout time for an update in the technology??).
Proof or it didn't happen (photos taken with the Canon):
* The TV is "so old", Amazon doesn't have it anymore. "Currently unavailable. We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock" the site says. I do have to point out: I did try out the Velcro for my remotes, because I got the idea over a year ago to clean up the area around my TV. I know how messy the residue is, considering I've had to move the cable box around on the TV to get everything working properly. It's going to be a PITA to clean if I ever decide to upgrade, but at least it looks more aesthetically pleasing from the front. All I have to do now, is read all the books I've been hoarding.
My "messy as all hell" stash (taken on an iPhone):
Moving on...
I was at a local chain super market today (ok, The Fresh Market) and was walking up and down the aisles. This is one of those "you had one job. *facepalm*". Whoever created the price tags showing this week's special on a brand of coffee, didn't put the decimal in the price, so instead of getting $2 off the bag, you're getting $200 off. Who in their right mind was paying $210.99 for a bag of coffee, and what in the hell is it made out of? It better be worth it, for what it's being sold as... lol.
It's really supposed to be $12.99 original price, with a $2.00 special, making it $10.99.
Photos or it's a lie (taken on the iPhone):
After going to the market, my mother decided she wanted to clean a cabinet. What was found in this cabinet? A microwaveable egg poacher that she bought at the Avon, Massachusetts' Christmas Tree Shop, probably 25 years ago (or so the box looks like she did). It was probably bought sometime in the late 1990s to early 2000s, so we're talking close to 20. Which is close enough.
How old is it? (iPhone pictures):
It's old enough that I can't find the name brand on Amazon, but I've found similar ones for a couple dollars to over 10 dollars more.
Last but not least for today, I had an interesting conversation with my mother, which ultimately led to me buying her an Echo Dot.
Sure, it's the 2nd generation, but it's currently part of Amazon's 2018 Cyber Monday deals. For $19.99 plus tax and free shipping (total: $21.19), I should get it Tuesday. Just in time to wrap it and give it to her for Hanukkah (on Sunday).
What prompted this, you ask? Especially after my posts about these fancy devices?
We were at our cousin's for Thanksgiving. They are the family with the Google Mini I posted a video about the other day. My uncle has the Amazon Echo (not part of the Cyber Monday deal, but still has $30 off), and another cousin has the current Echo Dot (again, not part of the package, except it's $20 off the original price, but $5 more than what the 2nd generation is... for less than an inch in size difference).
Due to everyone talking to their devices to play music (plus we have a Prime membership, which doesn't hurt [except my wallet will ask me wtf, come January, and my phone will notify me there's been a new charge to my Visa card]). However, my mom started asking random / out of the blue questions:
- Does the device use data?
- No, mom, it uses wifi
- How do you know?
- These things connect to our wireless internet, much like your computer does. It doesn't need a cellular service to work.
- I don't understand. How come it doesn't use data?
- Think about how you turn on your computer and read your email. Your Acer computer isn't a cell phone, but you connect to the Comcast internet to go online. It's the same thing with Ivan and Carrie's Echo and Gail's Google Mini.
- So if I ask it to play Michael Bublè, it would?
- Yes
- And not use data?
- Right.
- I want it. 😃
She's concerned about all the connected devices using mobile data. Which only our smartphones use, if we go out roaming around. We've never used more than the 2GB allotment our Verizon contract came with, but she got a little scare last month when the Verizon rep told her that her phone was nearing full (she keeps too much crap on it. Which isn't data; it's memory). But she still is concerned because we try to keep our bills low, regardless of what it is and is used for. Since she plans on getting the phone bill lower once our contract is up in March, I can understand the concern. I'm not savvy enough on all electronics, but I've come across certain things that help me explain our using to her, well enough, for me to understand myself (and to attempt to explain such things to people like Emily, when she got a new phone on Friday). Plus, I have a friend in IT that I always text emergency questions to (hi, Tim) and I've got a cousin that always researches the best of the best (Hi Howie). It also doesn't hurt my #brandmarketingextraordianire cousin is quite insightful as well (Hi, Brady).
- back on topic -
After the conversation, I went and I ordered the Dot. I still do what I'm told by my mother. Especially since this thing will be tied to my Prime account, I'm going to be watching the card carefully, making sure she doesn't do anything stupid. Maybe she needs to FaceTime a relative and get a couple lessons in how to ask the right questions to the device?
Considering we found out Thursday that Google doesn't like you to tell it to shut off a reminder; it prefers you say "cancel the reminder". It'll be a lesson for the both of us, actually, since I still find it shady as hell to be using these things. The future is nigh and it's invading my house quicker than I want. I've been fine with my Roku and wireless printers, but now we're diving into deeper waters, what's next?
Time will tell, and I'll be sure to post an update on what the Echo Dot does when it's fully set up.
Until then, enjoy your online shopping.
Cheers;
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Thanks for sharing!