Re: Annoying news and ads from Google app

On 12/9/2024 3:22 PM, Andrew wrote:

AJL wrote on Mon, 9 Dec 2024 17:24:42 -0000 (UTC) :
>

Google claims to make the articles interesting to me by monitoring
my usage. Scary for the paranoid, huh.

>
On that topic alone of Google monitoring your reading to figure out
what it is that you like to read and then presenting you with
similar offerings.... I have a free Amazon Vine account which allows
me to order from Amazon three items a day of up to $100 each without
cost, shipping or taxes. For *that* account, Amazon also monitors my
purchases, and then it offers me free stuff (up to $100 per item, 3 a
day) that fits my buying patterns. Surprisingly, that's a kind of
monitoring & offering that I actually like!

How many reviews do you do a month?
My Amazon story is kinda funny (and sad). I ordered a Google Pixel
tablet ($400US) about 2 months ago. I received a toy football. Yep, you
heard me right...a toy football...in a box with a 'battery inside'
warning. I returned the football the next day (almost 2 months ago now)
and have been trying for a refund ever since. The lady on the phone
today promised the charge back would now occur in 5 to 10 days. We'll see...
Why don't I just dispute the charge with my credit card you ask? Cause
Amazon would then probably cancel me and unfortunately I can't live
without Amazon. Sad, huh. For example I needed a new part for my shower
last week. Do I drive down to the store, hunt for a parking spot, fight
the crowds, and look for the part, only to find that it may not be
there? Nope. I just whipped out an (on topic Android) tablet toy, brought up the Amazon app, ordered the part and it was on my porch the next morning. I just can't go back to my prior life...