Posted on 08/08/2016 9:48:33 AM PDT by C19fan
Amazon surprised a lot of people when its Echo, a $180 so-called smart speaker, became a hit, giving them a novel way to play music, turn on the lights in their homes and set thermostats with voice commands.
Amazon, though, has much bigger plans for the technology behind Echo. It wants the Alexa Voice Service, which powers Echo, to be an ingredient in devices around the home and beyond, even if they aren’t made by Amazon.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I was thinking of Orwell’s 1984....
Yeah. Who ever thought we’d actually have TV’s that are always watching and listening. Yet here we are...
A friend of mine bought all kinds of Star Trek gear- a phaser, the flip talkie thing and a panel she installed by her front door that makes the wooshing sound whenever anyone walks by it.
It is waaaay cool! (I think she bought it from www.thinkgeek.com)
I love my Echo. It keeps me company when I’m home alone- it will randomly say, “Sorry, I did not understand the question....” In all seriousness, I do like it but use it mainly for music and turning on lights.
I forgot about getting one of those a few years ago.
One of the supers has a ST new mail alert that can be heard loud and clear on the floor.
I use the L&O chung chung sound myself.
My wife has said she was glad that our Nest was not connected to her.
For 55 years my bride has agreed to most of my suggestions.
She did say no to being wired to our Nest.:)
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