|
|
Post by Bonzo on Jan 29, 2018 13:03:33 GMT -5
I got a headache just reading the original post.
I'm glad it works for you.
But wow, that is just so not for me.
|
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Jan 29, 2018 15:30:46 GMT -5
I got a headache just reading the original post. I'm glad it works for you. But wow, that is just so not for me. I was wondering if the format I used would just not work well or if it was too long. My original idea was just to say what I could with the echo. This would have been much shorter. But I think most people would think - sure you can but why would you bother?So I thought communicating how I would use them in a typical day may make more sense to people. |
|
hemster
Global Moderator 
Particle Manufacturer
...still listening... still watching
Posts: 51,951
|
Post by hemster on Jan 29, 2018 16:18:21 GMT -5
Thanks for posting, garbulky. I enjoyed reading it and appreciate how automation can ease one's life. As you say, you customized your experience and each one of us would have different needs. I'm just starting to delve in to home automation and have setup some wifi lights just to see how we like it. Next up will be a security system so I don't have to keep paying ADT's exhorbitant rates. I sincerely doubt if I'll place an Echo in the bathrooms (I have 3). Some places are sanctuaries from electronic intrusion. Besides, I don't want anyone "dropping in" in there!  |
|
|
|
Post by novisnick on Jan 29, 2018 16:37:31 GMT -5
Thanks for posting, garbulky . I enjoyed reading it and appreciate how automation can ease one's life. As you say, you customized your experience and each one of us would have different needs. I'm just starting to delve in to home automation and have setup some wifi lights just to see how we like it. Next up will be a security system so I don't have to keep paying ADT's exhorbitant rates. I sincerely doubt if I'll place an Echo in the bathrooms (I have 3). Some places are sanctuaries from electronic intrusion. Besides, I don't want anyone "dropping in" in there! I have an Echo in my bathroom, Mrs likes her selection of music and I get news briefs and weather while taking care of mundane business.,,,,SSS🤭 |
|
|
|
Post by Bonzo on Jan 29, 2018 16:38:47 GMT -5
I got a headache just reading the original post. I'm glad it works for you. But wow, that is just so not for me. I was wondering if the format I used would just not work well or if it was too long. My original idea was just to say what I could with the echo. This would have been much shorter. But I think most people would think - sure you can but why would you bother?So I thought communicating how I would use them in a typical day may make more sense to people. I really do appreciate your post. It was very insightful to help get a feel for what it's like. I sent a copy of it to my wife and here is an edited version of her reply...... please read in jest with a sense of humor..... I laughed at this. Of course he's a dork. Everyone one on this forum is a dork. I'm just glad she over looks my dorkiness. . I've never had an egg I didn't like (as long as they are properly prepared). In your example, my time would have been 3 minutes for some good old soft boiled eggs. Mmmmmmmmm, love 'em. But tofu? Dude? Come on. That schiit is NASTY.  This is where her and I totally agree. Agree with her again. Ah yes, Soylent Green. I love that movie. My wife - not so much. She's not a big Charlton Heston fan. |
|
hemster
Global Moderator
Particle Manufacturer
...still listening... still watching
Posts: 51,951
|
Post by hemster on Jan 29, 2018 17:16:03 GMT -5
Thanks for posting, garbulky . I enjoyed reading it and appreciate how automation can ease one's life. As you say, you customized your experience and each one of us would have different needs. I'm just starting to delve in to home automation and have setup some wifi lights just to see how we like it. Next up will be a security system so I don't have to keep paying ADT's exhorbitant rates. I sincerely doubt if I'll place an Echo in the bathrooms (I have 3). Some places are sanctuaries from electronic intrusion. Besides, I don't want anyone "dropping in" in there! I have an Echo in my bathroom, Mrs likes her selection of music and I get news briefs and weather while taking care of mundane business.,,,,SSS🤭 The prospect is scary to scare the crap schitt out of me! I just crank up the volume on my rig so I can hear it in the "personal office". News briefs and weather can wait until I'm gone done doing the doodoo.   |
|
|
|
Post by novisnick on Jan 29, 2018 17:22:31 GMT -5
I have an Echo in my bathroom, Mrs likes her selection of music and I get news briefs and weather while taking care of mundane business.,,,,SSS🤭 The prospect is scary to scare the crap schitt out of me! I just crank up the volume on my rig so I can hear it in the "personal office". News briefs and weather can wait until I'm gone done doing the doodoo. My friend, in the morning time is short and I have Schiitt to do! 😏 |
|
|
|
Post by flamingeye on Jan 29, 2018 17:24:04 GMT -5
it is the future and big brother has been here for a long time now
|
|
|
|
Post by copperpipe on Jan 29, 2018 17:24:28 GMT -5
That stuff is so not entering my home. And I'm a "dork" by the standards of Bonzo's wife, so it's not a matter of not understanding the dorky nature of said device.
But it's just spyware masquerading as a tool. You just know some basement dweller in Russia is listening to your love sessions, right?
|
|
|
|
Post by flamingeye on Jan 29, 2018 17:26:28 GMT -5
they can turn your cellphone on without you knowing
|
|
|
|
Post by Bonzo on Jan 29, 2018 18:12:31 GMT -5
it is the future and big brother has been here for a long time now Fortunately, for the time being, we currently do have "some" say in the matter. In the future, I predict we will not have any say.  |
|
|
|
Post by Bonzo on Jan 29, 2018 18:21:59 GMT -5
it's just spyware masquerading as a tool. Here's my favorite current example. Those devices being pushed by insurance companies that you plug into your car. The sales pitch guise is that it will save you money, IF you are a safe driver. But the fact is they are tracking your every move. When you don't come to a complete and utter stop, when you speed, when you don't turn on your turn signal even when you are in the middle of nowhere, etc etc etc. What's going to happen is that lobbyists in Washington are eventually going to "sell" this idea under the guise that it saves lives, to make it a law that each and every car MUST have a similar tracking device. And when that happens, not only will we all get tracked, but instead of saving money, anyone who doesn't drive to the true letter of the law will get penalized. In the end it will take our rights away and cost us money at the same time. It's the one device of this nature that I can say without hesitation or remorse, that anyone who signs up for one of these things with their insurance company is a complete idiot. |
|
|
|
Post by thompson12 on Jan 29, 2018 20:20:49 GMT -5
I have an Echo in my bathroom, Mrs likes her selection of music and I get news briefs and weather while taking care of mundane business.,,,,SSS🤭[/quote]
Is that the new version of the echo drop in
Mitch
|
|
|
|
Post by copperpipe on Jan 29, 2018 20:22:28 GMT -5
they can turn your cellphone on without you knowing Yup, they can. All the more reason not to encourage them or make it even easier with these other nasty spying devices (doesn't matter which brand, they're all the same horrid little things, and they can all jump rope as far as I'm concerned.) |
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Jan 29, 2018 21:04:53 GMT -5
Well there's no doubt it's a privacy nightmare. It's "SUPPOSED" to only communicate the actual requests to the cloud. And the wake word is done "locally". At least that's what I assume because it works without the internet to recognize wake words. But that's the key word "supposed" to. I thought about it, all the way until the Echo turned off the lamp by my voice.  |
|
|
|
Post by novisnick on Jan 29, 2018 21:11:11 GMT -5
I have an Echo in my bathroom, Mrs likes her selection of music and I get news briefs and weather while taking care of mundane business.,,,,SSS🤭 Is that the new version of the echo drop in Mitch[/quote] its standard with he new Throne 😋  |
|
|
|
Post by brutiarti on Jan 29, 2018 22:19:36 GMT -5
Just having a smart phone is enough to feel spied already
|
|
|
|
Post by copperpipe on Jan 29, 2018 23:08:36 GMT -5
Well there's no doubt it's a privacy nightmare. It's "SUPPOSED" to only communicate the actual requests to the cloud. And the wake word is done "locally". At least that's what I assume because it works without the internet to recognize wake words. But that's the key word "supposed" to. The only way to use these kinds of devices, is to be 100% certain that they are already backdoor-ed, or will be in the future. If you're OK with that, fine, but just be honest with yourself and be aware that they will be used to intrude on you. I thought about it, all the way until the Echo turned off the lamp by my voice. A little exercise is a healthy thing  |
|
KeithL
Administrator
Posts: 10,273
|
Post by KeithL on Jan 30, 2018 9:47:06 GMT -5
Exactly.... we are surrounded by cameras and microphones...... Pretty much every current computer has a camera and a microphone... My TV has a camera option - and it can respond to both voice commands and gestures... My TV's remote control has its own microphone... My cable remote has a microphone... My phone has a camera and a microphone... My car has a camera and a microphone... Then there are video doorbells and burglar alarms... And there are even a few dolls and other toys that you can talk to... and that connect to an outside server so they can figure out what you're asking them to do. And don't forget smart watches and sports watches... I don't think my microwave oven has a microphone... but I wouldn't bet my life on it... and my next one probably will. (Bear in mind that voice control has become so prevalent that even devices that don't have it may already have a microphone installed in preparation for next year's updates.) It is getting just a tiny bit creepy... Also remember that, even if the manufacturer never listens in when they shouldn't, there are still hackers. One of the most recently discovered Android phone hacks is a piece of malware that lets someone listen in on your phone. (It's so sophisticated it can turn on the microphone of your phone, and listen in on what people around you are saying, specifically when your phone is in a certain geographic location.) I would also point out that the whole idea of back-doors and snooping has become a bit of a gray area with the latest generation of smart devices. Most of them require a connection to a server somewhere to work... and that server must be listening to everything you say in order to know when to respond. (And, face it, it sort of defeats the whole point of having a remote control that responds to voice commands if you have to walk over and push a button to instruct it and give it permission to listen, right?) Just pretend you're rich..... They say that rich folks don't mind undressing in front of the maid or butler.... because, once you get used to their being there, you just think of them like part of the furniture. Well there's no doubt it's a privacy nightmare. It's "SUPPOSED" to only communicate the actual requests to the cloud. And the wake word is done "locally". At least that's what I assume because it works without the internet to recognize wake words. But that's the key word "supposed" to. The only way to use these kinds of devices, is to be 100% certain that they are already backdoor-ed, or will be in the future. If you're OK with that, fine, but just be honest with yourself and be aware that they will be used to intrude on you. I thought about it, all the way until the Echo turned off the lamp by my voice. A little exercise is a healthy thing |
|
klinemj
Emo VIPs 
Official Emofest Scribe
Posts: 15,093
|
Post by klinemj on Jan 30, 2018 10:05:40 GMT -5
it's just spyware masquerading as a tool. Here's my favorite current example. Those devices being pushed by insurance companies that you plug into your car. The sales pitch guise is that it will save you money, IF you are a safe driver. But the fact is they are tracking your every move. When you don't come to a complete and utter stop, when you speed, when you don't turn on your turn signal even when you are in the middle of nowhere, etc etc etc. What's going to happen is that lobbyists in Washington are eventually going to "sell" this idea under the guise that it saves lives, to make it a law that each and every car MUST have a similar tracking device. And when that happens, not only will we all get tracked, but instead of saving money, anyone who doesn't drive to the true letter of the law will get penalized. In the end it will take our rights away and cost us money at the same time. It's the one device of this nature that I can say without hesitation or remorse, that anyone who signs up for one of these things with their insurance company is a complete idiot. Actually, we're buying one of those for my Mom and not for insurance reasons. She forgot her GPS unit and got lost in Atlanta last week. She called my sister who luckily figured out where she'd ended up after a wrong turn, then was able to navigate her back to a location she knew. Just in case she does that again, we want to know where she is w/o having to rely on Mom providing reference points she can see. It's $80 and will be worth our peace of mind. Mark |
|
