Reply to: Internet / Voice connected devices at home

[vetran]

I have friend who has set his up so that when he says "Alexa, welcome CFL". YMCA fires up on the stereo and all the lights flash in different colours around his house.

Other than that they are pointless.

what is he going to do for GJabs?

[DoctorStrangelove]

That's just a load of cant.

[Mordac]

Saying: "alexa translate Boris Johnson carot 100 into welsh" is worth the £35 and it never gets unfunny!

There's a video on FB, for those who don't have an Alexa. You'd have thought the Welsh would have changed their word for 100, perhaps they haven't realised it's quite rude?

[clearedforlanding]

I just don't have any of those devices in my house.

Still struggling to see any benefit from having them tbh.

I have friend who has set his up so that when he says "Alexa, welcome CFL". YMCA fires up on the stereo and all the lights flash in different colours around his house.

Other than that they are pointless.

[xoggoth]

I couldn't be bothered with Alexas etc. My constant swearing would probably make her blow up anyway.

[ladymuck]

Have they also banned all smartphones? Siri, Google etc. are all lurking there listening to you.

I have that feature disabled on my phone. Not that I believe it's no longer listening - I just don't get any "accidental" activations

[vetran]

Saying: "alexa translate Boris Johnson carot 100 into welsh" is worth the £35 and it never gets unfunny!

yep that amused me thanks!

[Lance]

Have they also banned all smartphones? Siri, Google etc. are all lurking there listening to you.

I didn't say I agree with the position. But no they haven't...

[Uncle Albert]

if you're worried about eavesdropping as you describe, you should be less worried about Alexa. It's cloud controlled and Amazon are gonna be quite good on security.
Your smart TV is a different matter. Or your CCTV/webcam.
Or the Windows XP laptop you've not got round to binning.

One of my clients has instructed all home workes to ensure that no Alexa type devices are in the room when they're on calls.

Have they also banned all smartphones? Siri, Google etc. are all lurking there listening to you.

[Lance]

I was working for a big bank while working at home I had my Amazon echo dot at home in my office. In between meetings I had it merrily playing music in the background. When a meeting would start I would either mute it or press the button to turn it off.

In one particular conference call meeting I mispronounced a name and Alexa pipes up "I don't know that one!" It occurred that I had been discussing subjects and this think was always listening in. So I flagged it with internal security and I unplug any "listening devices" when I am working.

As more people are working at home there is a possibility of more opportunities for hackers. If your device is physically unplugged there is no chance of it picking up anything. So by doing this (In the same way as changing your door locks when you move into a new house - lowers insurance liability) you lower your personal liability on behalf of an employer or client.

if you're worried about eavesdropping as you describe, you should be less worried about Alexa. It's cloud controlled and Amazon are gonna be quite good on security.
Your smart TV is a different matter. Or your CCTV/webcam.
Or the Windows XP laptop you've not got round to binning.

One of my clients has instructed all home workes to ensure that no Alexa type devices are in the room when they're on calls.

[Whorty]

Got the Alexa for a present once and it's not bad at times. Wouldn't have bought one myself though. Best bit about it is being able to change whatever anyone is listening remotely via spotify. Changing the soothing music track to the Macc Ladds when my other half is doing zoom yoga with her mum is priceless.

Apart from that it's just another thing in the house that can't understand what I say.

Be even better if your mother in law was called Betty

[Whorty]

I just don't have any of those devices in my house.

Still struggling to see any benefit from having them tbh.

Same here.

[Scruff]

Saying: "alexa translate Boris Johnson carot 100 into welsh" is worth the £35 and it never gets unfunny!

That was a replacement for "Jeremy Corbyn" but both are valid!

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

Saying: "alexa translate Boris Johnson carot 100 into welsh" is worth the £35 and it never gets unfunny!

?

I knew about the 100 thing but that’s funny. The welsh accent is the cherry on top.

[courtg9000]

I just don't have any of those devices in my house.

Still struggling to see any benefit from having them tbh.

^^ This.

Saying: "alexa translate Boris Johnson carot 100 into welsh" is worth the £35 and it never gets unfunny!