Audio Entertainment

Commuting can be such a drag! Whether alone, cocooned in your car, or travelling with the masses on public transport; getting to work is not usually a happy part of the day.

Of course, there is the radio; but with so much doom and gloom in the world, who needs to hear the hourly, or half-hourly news bulletins.

I have recently taken to two forms of entertainment whilst travelling.  Podcasts and audio books.

Podcasts

For the uninitiated, a podcast is series of broadcasts covering a plethora of subjects.  Some produced by well known broadcast organisations, such as the BBC.  Others are produced and presented by less known individuals.
In fact, that's one of the bonuses of a podcast; anyone can get in on the act and produce weekly episodes looking at their favourite TV show, or gardening, or politics or.... anything.

When I say anyone - I mean anyone.  I have a podcast of my own; which is available to listen to right here.

The BBC use podcasts alongside their regular progamming; providing either additional elements to a show, or an extra outlet for extended shows.  My favourites include "The Chequered Flag", their Formula 1 podcast.  Or, there's "Kermode and Mayo's Film Review".  This is broadcast on a Friday afternoon, but the podcast contains extra bits before and after the main show.  It's almost compulsive.

Other podcasts are "No Such Thing As A Fish", produced by the QI Elves, and is look at totally useless facts.  Funny as well as interesting.

Hollywood & Crime is a weekly series investigating a series or murders back in the 1940's, in Los Angeles.

The beauty of podcasts is that they're totally free; and you can download and listen to them on your phone.

Audio Books

My other, more recent discovery is audio books.  I had heard of them, but not really investigated them in detail.

I decided to have a look at Audible, which is an Amazon company.

Here you can listen to samples and purchase and download the entire book for listening; using their app (or on your laptop).

Audio books are not cheap.  Bearing in mind the production costs for a full, unabridged book, lasting upwards of 11 hours, they range from £2.99 to £20.

There are literally thousands to choose from.

"Mythos" read by Stephen Fry,
"Harry Potter and the Philosphers Stone" - also read by Stephen Fry
The Michelle O'Bama biography "Becoming"

The best way to enjoy Audible is through a membership plan.  For £7.99 per month, you get 1 credit.

You can use this credit for any book in their vast library.  They even have a guarantee that says if you don't enjoy a book, you can just return it.  Plus, if you decide to end your membership, which you can pause at any time, then you keep the books you already have.

You also get 30 days to try, without any obligation - and keep the book that you get in your trial.  It's a no-brainer.

Listening to podcasts or books, keeps my mind focused and I can progress the storyline, or learn something new.

What will you listen to next?

Lighting Up My Automation

I am a huge fan of automation.  I love using apps and services to make life just that little bit simpler.

Service such as Zapier or IFTTT, but there are other forms of automation.  Those that use physical equipment.

I'm referring to the Amazon Echo, Google Home and Apple Home (through Siri).

Using these small, unintrusive, devices, it's possible to listen to music, find out information and connect to a host to different technology.

But - you don't need these.  For example; I have a TP-Link HS100 in the hall, to which is connected a lamp.  The plug has a companion app (called Kasa) and it's this where the magic happens.

It's possible to schedule the lamp to turn on through a regular schedule, set a timer for how long the lamp is on, see the total amount of time the lamp has been on, and, of course, turn the lamp on and off remotely.

One big benefit is home security.  You can now control the lights to turn on and off to make it look as though there is someone home.

Want to add a caption to this image? Click the Settings icon.
Now - connect this to your Echo (or Home) and you have the ability to turn the lamp on and off with your voice....
"Alexa - turn on the hall lamp"; "Alexa - turn off the hall lamp"


Of course, the HS100 isn't just for lamps; you can connect compatible cameras (Kasa Cam) so you can view what's happening.  You can set up routines; which will link lots of devices together - maybe a lamp in the hall, and another upstairs.
When it's time for bed, you can set the downstairs lamp to turn off and the upstairs one to switch on!

I also have a routine on my Amazon Echo.  I just say "Alexa, bedtime" and the lamps downstairs turn off.

As autumn (and winter) approach, and the nights start drawing in, then why not get a couple of these devices so you can easily control the lamps in your home.

I love home automation; and I love the flexibility it gives me.  If you don't already have it, this is a great way to start (and you don't need an Alexa or Google to make it work).


Disclaimer - This post contains affiliate links.  If you purchase from these links I will earn a small commission.  This doesn't affect the price you will pay.

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