Author: DOuG pRATt

Tapping Touch

Kindle Paperwhite (10th generation)

My Kindle e-reader is just new enough to support a feature that’s coming in a firmware update. I’ll be able to tap the side or back of the unit, rather than the screen, to advance to the next page.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/newer-kindles-get-a-work-around-for-touchscreen-page-turning-in-new-software-update/

Having been a fan of the physical buttons on my long dead Kindle Keyboard, I’m looking forward to giving this a try. I could do the update manually via USB, but I’ll wait for it to be pushed out over WiFi.

Kindle Keyboard playing Dragnet MP3

Update: My mistake. Re-reading that article, I see the update on a 10th generation Kindle only includes the Recap feature. I’m not going to buy a new model just to get double-tap and a USB-C connector, rather than the Micro USB on my Paperwhite.

Regarding Competence

There is no such thing as being overqualified for any job, no matter what it is. That’s an idea I formed in the 11th grade, washing dishes after school and on Saturdays. It’s a notion that has stayed with me ever since then.

This White House briefing begins with somebody screwing up the audio. It continues with a stunning level of dissembling and lies from a childish press secretary who obviously feels she was born for the job. This security breach is a genuine crisis for Trump’s administration.

Here’s Trump proving just how out of touch he is and removed from those he is trusting to carry out his wishes. He’s showing his age, which is why he needs Musk to be his co-president. I’m not against the idea in principle. It’s what Biden should have done with Harris, as I stated at the start of his term.

Tracking ‘Touch’

The continuous takes in Adolescence were possible thanks to digital technology. A couple of much older examples come to mind, from when movies were shot on 10-minute reels of film.

Hitchcock’s Rope is a rather modest example, because it was filmed on a single interior set. The exterior tracking shot that starts Welles’ Touch of Evil is much more impressive.

My only problem with this movie is the casting of Charlton Heston. Richardo Montalban was the obviously better choice for the role.

Choose Carefully

A recap: Google notified registered users of its Pixel 4a phone that an update would affect battery performance. Three alternatives were offered in compensation.

I chose to take the $100 credit at the Google Store. Combined with a sale price that was already $100 off, I bought a Pixel 8a for $300.

All’s well that ends well… except when it doesn’t.

I planned to… switch my “appeasement,” but then I noticed the fine print: No changes are possible after making a selection. So—no money for me.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/how-google-nerfed-my-pixel-4a-then-stuck-it-to-me-too/