fatchap Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 Having read the thread on here about smart homes, I was wondering as I got an Echo Plus for crimbo. How its so fast at assessing information and playing music? I'm a bit worried to be honest, it runs rings round my PC which is extremely fast at currently 267 mbs virgin media. I have it so it recognises my voice and It interrupted me and my wife last night when we arguing what goes into margarita cocktail, and thats no bull, i do not remember saying the wake up word at all. I have read online that its not clever to let it have full access to your contacts on your phone, which is one of its key features as it can make catastrophically expensive misinterpretations. Also the lights worry me as the green in the blue seems to track you around the room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoozer Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 You actually had an arguement with your Wife and an electronic device with a Female voice joined in Ummm not convinced an Echo is for me sounds like it has a free hand in your Gaff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newbie to this Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 I can't answer your question. But I do know that I would never have one. There was a rumour floating around the internet that Alexa works for the CIA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoozer Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 1 minute ago, Newbie to this said: I can't answer your question. But I do know that I would never have one. There was a rumour floating around the internet that Alexa works for the CIA. Rubbish, It was the Men In Black Department Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benthejockey Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 I might have imagined it, which is entirely possible, but I’m sure I read/saw/heard that it stored your commands in a database and that this data was used to convict someone of something that they otherwise would have gotten away with? I could have completely fabricated that I’m not sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 I like technology very much, but voice activated devices are simply something I don’t need. Each to their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B725 Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 If its owt like my Mrs you ask it something and then it will ignore it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delwint Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 (edited) I said to the wife yesterday that Alexa ignores what I ask and does something completely different. Just like she does 🤣 Edited December 27, 2018 by Delwint Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston72 Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 1 hour ago, Newbie to this said: I can't answer your question. But I do know that I would never have one. There was a rumour floating around the internet that Alexa works for the CIA. im glad she works for someone, she never ***** well works for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 47 minutes ago, Benthejockey said: I might have imagined it, which is entirely possible, but I’m sure I read/saw/heard that it stored your commands in a database and that this data was used to convict someone of something that they otherwise would have gotten away with? I could have completely fabricated that I’m not sure! If it hasn't happened yet, it will do soon! I know someone was convicted after evidence was gained from a wifi-enabled washing machine. A chap's defence was that he couldn't have been out being a criminal because he was at home doing his washing. The timing on the cycle fitted, but police gained access to his phone and data records via a warrant and proved he'd used the app to start the cycle remotely. I'm with the sceptics on this stuff. The more devices like this you have, the more access points you're giving someone if they want to hack in, aside from the data collection that is possible through them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 2 hours ago, fatchap said: Having read the thread on here about smart homes, I was wondering as I got an Echo Plus for crimbo. How its so fast at assessing information and playing music? I'm a bit worried to be honest, it runs rings round my PC which is extremely fast at currently 267 mbs virgin media. I have it so it recognises my voice and It interrupted me and my wife last night when we arguing what goes into margarita cocktail, and thats no bull, i do not remember saying the wake up word at all. I have read online that its not clever to let it have full access to your contacts on your phone, which is one of its key features as it can make catastrophically expensive misinterpretations. Also the lights worry me as the green in the blue seems to track you around the room. Being technically inept and suspicious, seems an open portal for the technically adept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 Is BIG brother just around the corner? Listening to your every word. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatchap Posted December 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 Apparently it dosn,t work for the government. And your not to ask it questions at 3am in the morning. And contrary to popular belief hasnt got a really creepy laugh. At this very moment mine is singing I know a song that will get on your nerves, get on your nerves get get get on your nerves ......and it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 Mines in the kitchen drawer been there since it kept popping into action if it heard anything resembling it's name, and I mean ANYTHING. It just become a nuisance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 With smart TVs with cameras, phones with voice activation and now these things. None of us know how much access they have to our information and conversations. I don't trust them, all these big tech companies have been hacked at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danger-Mouse Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 3 hours ago, old'un said: Is BIG brother just around the corner? Listening to your every word. It's closer in China. https://theworldnews.net/uk-news/chinese-schools-make-pupils-wear-micro-chipped-uniforms-to-thwart-truancy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted December 28, 2018 Report Share Posted December 28, 2018 If you just want music and radio get a sonos. I wouldn't want a device like Alexa in my house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmaxphil Posted December 28, 2018 Report Share Posted December 28, 2018 Our neighbors get a food delivery, when we were round there's I asked alexa to order dog food (they don't have a dog) all ways wondered if it came 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepasty Posted December 28, 2018 Report Share Posted December 28, 2018 I dont see the need for these types of devises and dont like the idea of something listening all the time... I got my phone if I need info, music etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted December 28, 2018 Report Share Posted December 28, 2018 (edited) I'd be more worried about Facebook and all those other apps storing your info. And then selling it Edited December 28, 2018 by strimmer_13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yates Posted December 28, 2018 Report Share Posted December 28, 2018 Why am I thinking about George Orwell. Scary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuartc44 Posted December 28, 2018 Report Share Posted December 28, 2018 Nearly all laptops have webcams and microphones which have been hackable for years. Windows 10 uses voice commands, not sure about win 8, If someone wanted your info they would already have many ways in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secret-squirrel Posted December 28, 2018 Report Share Posted December 28, 2018 (edited) Alexa or the echo is not aloud in my house !!! I’m sure a couple of years ago I remember Samsung were being investigated Or had some link to a anti terror operation in the uk. through there smart tv’s ,remote controls as they have microphones in them for the voice recognition feature . I’m only young...ish and I remember when I was at school (15year who) the computer department always told us (mostly the girls) to put a piece of blue tac or a sticker over there webcams or camera on the laptops as people could easily hack into them and watch you and then possibly blackmail you with whatever thay had seen/stored .im sure this has all gone on for years but I personally wouldnt want to put my family in that situation . each to there own with this stuff tho ! 👍😀 SS Edited December 28, 2018 by secret-squirrel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted December 28, 2018 Report Share Posted December 28, 2018 (edited) 11 hours ago, Danger-Mouse said: It's closer in China. https://theworldnews.net/uk-news/chinese-schools-make-pupils-wear-micro-chipped-uniforms-to-thwart-truancy Could do with some of that for the feckless workshy creatures here. Was once told by an adept that there's always a back door access to every system for the creator, the knack is finding it. Edited December 28, 2018 by old man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted December 28, 2018 Report Share Posted December 28, 2018 2 hours ago, secret-squirrel said: Alexa or the echo is not aloud in my house !!! I’m sure a couple of years ago I remember Samsung were being investigated Or had some link to a anti terror operation in the uk. through there smart tv’s ,remote controls as they have microphones in them for the voice recognition feature . I’m only young...ish and I remember when I was at school (15year who) the computer department always told us (mostly the girls) to put a piece of blue tac or a sticker over there webcams or camera on the laptops as people could easily hack into them and watch you and then possibly blackmail you with whatever thay had seen/stored .im sure this has all gone on for years but I personally wouldnt want to put my family in that situation . each to there own with this stuff tho ! 👍😀 SS I’ve had a few of those emails telling me they have put a virus on my computer that hacked into the monitor camera and if I did not want the footage made public I had to send them $500, best is I don’t have a monitor camera. Alexa listens and stores your requests on cloud, this is said to give you a better experience once Alexa starts to learn about you and your requests…. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.