Free Republic
Browse · Search
Smoky Backroom
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Alexa has a secret new superpower: Transforming into a security camera
cnet ^

Posted on 05/29/2021 3:57:18 PM PDT by algore

Beneath the mild-mannered facade of a regular, everyday voice assistant, Alexa has an alter-ego -- a crime-fighter, you could say -- that can be summoned with the flip of a toggle found deep within your Amazon Echo Show's device settings.

The setting is called Home Monitoring and it can transform your otherwise milquetoast smart display into a bad-guy halting security camera. (Bad guys not included.)

Okay, so Home Monitoring may not be the stuff of superhero origin stories, but it's still pretty nifty as long as you don't need a lot of advanced security camera features.

It doesn't record video and you can only put it where you'd otherwise put a smart display (so, no mounting to the ceiling, unless you're actually Spiderman). But still, it's usefull for checking in on things, like kids, pets or your house while you're away.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnet.com ...


TOPICS: Heated Discussion
KEYWORDS: 1984; creepy; eyes
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-26 next last
I think every device you can buy should either have an Iot address, or a dna based fingerprint so the govt can pay private companies to identify all your crap
1 posted on 05/29/2021 3:57:18 PM PDT by algore
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: algore

They talk of this as if it is a good thing.


2 posted on 05/29/2021 3:58:59 PM PDT by rlmorel (Leftists are The Droplet of Sewage in a gallon of ultra-pure clean water.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: algore

Ah, an in home spy…

Don’t walk around nude !

You might blind the glowies.


3 posted on 05/29/2021 4:00:10 PM PDT by Pikachu_Dad ("the media are selling you a line of soap)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: algore

I’d never let that whole in my house


4 posted on 05/29/2021 4:00:43 PM PDT by al baby (Hi Mom Hi Dad)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pikachu_Dad

WRAP THE KINDLE IN REYNOLDS WRAP


5 posted on 05/29/2021 4:02:11 PM PDT by ptsal (Vote R.E.D. >>>Remove Every Democrat ***)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: algore
...a bad-guy halting security camera.

LOL. Yeah, right.

6 posted on 05/29/2021 4:05:50 PM PDT by Veggie Todd (Religion. It's like a History class. Without the facts. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: al baby

<>I’d never let that whole in my house<>

We’re voluntarily bringing Orwell’s telescreen into our homes.


7 posted on 05/29/2021 4:08:58 PM PDT by Jacquerie (ArticleVBlog.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Veggie Todd

So you can have viral footage of a known kidnapper making multiple intrusions into your home...


8 posted on 05/29/2021 4:11:10 PM PDT by a fool in paradise (Lean on Joe Biden to follow Donald Trump's example and donate his annual salary to charity.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: ptsal

And bake at 450 c for three days !


9 posted on 05/29/2021 4:17:05 PM PDT by Pikachu_Dad ("the media are selling you a line of soap)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: algore

“Citizen, you have not installed and activated your free Alexa. Do you wish Tech Team 7 to visit your home to properly install it or will you install it in the next 30 minutes?”


10 posted on 05/29/2021 4:22:01 PM PDT by Rurudyne (Standup Philosopher)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: algore

The new CEO of Microsoft, surprisingly, issued a warning saying that the US was in danger of becoming a surveillance society.

This is very true. Unfortunately there’s probably nothing that can prevent that - but what can be prevented is letting the government be able to use that information (collected by Alexa, Siri, etc.). Some of our congress critters should be out there thinking about laws to prevent this. Of course, the Dems are probably thinking about laws to enhance it.


11 posted on 05/29/2021 4:27:24 PM PDT by livius
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rlmorel

Nice! They’ll even activate it remotely if you forget. For “national security” reasons of course!


12 posted on 05/29/2021 4:33:42 PM PDT by glorgau
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: algore

My bet is that Pooh-Bear has direct control of all of the cameras and microphones.

There is some kind of sick irony (or maybe inevitable gullibility) in Linux, the supposed bastion of Freedom in software, becoming part of the most locked-down and invasive software systems on the planet.


13 posted on 05/29/2021 4:34:05 PM PDT by Empire_of_Liberty
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: algore

The day will come when the government will force everyone to have cameras and microphones in their homes. Of which they will monitor.


14 posted on 05/29/2021 4:37:57 PM PDT by Revel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: algore

Does Alexa have a big brother?


15 posted on 05/29/2021 4:40:52 PM PDT by Fresh Wind (Der Impfstoff macht frei.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: algore

Do not have a want or need for alexa in my house for any reason


16 posted on 05/29/2021 4:42:08 PM PDT by markman46 (engage brain before using keyboard!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All
Alexa has a secret new superpower: Transforming into a SPY camera.

Fixed it for ya.

17 posted on 05/29/2021 4:51:11 PM PDT by LegendHasIt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Fresh Wind

Alexa IS Big Brother.


18 posted on 05/29/2021 4:55:39 PM PDT by Maris Crane
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: rlmorel

It has been said before,1984 was a warning not an instruction manual.


19 posted on 05/29/2021 5:05:27 PM PDT by Fai Mao (It is time, past time and almost too late.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: algore

It’s also useful for the government to hack and spy on you.

1984 anyone?


20 posted on 05/29/2021 5:56:43 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-26 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Smoky Backroom
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson