That’s alotta Alexa. Amazon drops smart subs, plugs, even a microwave

ronjor · Sep 20, 2018

Kim Wetzel@kimdogg

Amazon’s annual hardware took place today in Seattle, where the company took the opportunity to rapid-fire a total of nine new devices at us in under an hour. We were expecting everything from Alexa-powered microwaves to amplifiers, and that’s what we got. And then some.
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guest · Sep 22, 2018

Amazon’s blockbuster Alexa event made zero mention of privacy concerns — and that may say more about us than about them
Alexa, how secure is my data?
September 20, 20108
https://www.recode.net/2018/9/20/17883538/amazon-alexa-microwave-privacy-security

But while Amazon seemingly discussed every conceivable way to embed its voice assistant more deeply into our daily lives, it did not utter a word about the potential privacy risks that these burgeoning human-robot relationships pose.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s because most consumers have given up on the idea of privacy in our times — or believe that the risk-reward balance of technologies like Alexa tilt in the direction of our new artificially intelligent overlords.

The Amazon event arrives at a time in the U.S. when big tech companies have come under intense scrutiny from politicians for how they handle customer data, following the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal that was exposed earlier this year.

Instead, it was all Alexa glitz and glam. If Amazon customers don’t push Amazon, we live in a world where you can’t expect the company to discuss the potential downsides itself. And that’s sad all around.
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guest · Sep 23, 2018

Amazon Is Invading Your Home With Micro-Convenience
September 22, 2018
https://www.nextgov.com/emerging-te...-home-micro-convenience/151479/?oref=rf-river

This is how Amazon has infiltrated the home with its voice-activated devices and service. [...] The results might be convenient, but they also facilitate a new depth of corporate surveillance.

The company also introduced Echo Auto, a device that brings Alexa into the car, using smartphone connectivity for operation. In addition to allaying concerns about distracted driving (and helping people negotiate increasingly common hands-free laws), Echo Auto also opens the door to, well, opening the garage door by voice from the car.

That seems ridiculous. Can’t people just reach up and press the button, like they have done for decades?

The actual benefits of all the Alexa-enabled toasters and coffee machines and printers and razors are dubious. On the surface, it’s hard to imagine why pressing a button on a microwave and saying “Stop” would ever be more appealing than just pressing a stop button.
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guest · Nov 12, 2018

Voice tech like Alexa and Siri hasn’t found its true calling yet: Inside the voice assistant ‘revolution’
November 12, 2018
https://www.recode.net/2018/11/12/17765390/voice-alexa-siri-assistant-amazon-echo-google-assistant

You can soon, if you insist, talk to your microwave — and it will listen.

Amazon recently announced a $60 voice-activated microwave, along with 10 other new products using its Alexa voice assistant. Roll your eyes if you’d like, but it’s the latest example of Amazon’s obsession with making Alexa — which first launched four years ago — ubiquitous, from the kitchen to the car.
And Amazon is hardly alone. Google has been ramping up its Assistant voice-powered gadget lineup [...]

While people are certainly enthusiastic about the new technology, it’s not exactly life-changing yet.
What the future holds
Until we find the app, use-case or invention that could only be possible using voice, we’re still just repurposing online content for your ears.
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ronjor · Nov 13, 2018

These antique phones are precious, private Alexa vessels

Devin Coldewey@techcrunch
Amazon’s Alexa may be in ten thousand different devices now, but they all have one other thing in common: they’re new. So for those of us that prefer old things but still want to be able to set timers and do metric-imperial conversions without pulling out our phones, Grain Design is retrofitting these fabulous old telephones to provide Alexa access with no other hints of modernity. There’s even a privacy angle!
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hawki · Dec 16, 2018

"Lonely Parrot Goes Shopping Online With Alexa While Owners Out

Rocco, an apparently lonely and, uh, peckish African Grey parrot in Berkshire UK, has become so used to hearing his owners talk to Amazon's Alexa, he started doing it himself when they were out of the house. So far, the feathered fowl has ordered watermelon, strawberries, raisins, ice cream and even broccoli. The bird has also commanded the home robot to tell him jokes and play love songs...

...Because of a parental lock feature, none of the orders for food have so far gone through, but his owner always has to check that he hasn't scheduled events or added to her online grocery lists. 'Rocco and Alexa chat away to each other all day,' she said. 'Then I have to check the shopping list and cancel all the items he’s ordered.' "

https://www.thedailybeast.com/lonely-parrot-goes-shopping-online-with-alexa-while-owners-out

hawki · Dec 23, 2018

"Alexa's advice to 'kill your foster parents' fuels concern over Amazon Echo

An Amazon customer got a grim message last year from Alexa, the virtual assistant in the company’s smart speaker device: “Kill your foster parents.”

The user who heard the message from his Echo device wrote a harsh review on Amazon’s website, Reuters reported - calling Alexa’s utterance “a whole new level of creepy”.

An investigation found the bot had quoted from the social media site Reddit, known for harsh and sometimes abusive messages, people familiar with the investigation told Reuters..."

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/dec/21/alexa-amazon-echo-kill-your-foster-parents

mirimir · Dec 23, 2018

Rule of thumb: Don't use reddit as a source for your AI. For text, or links.

Mrkvonic · Dec 23, 2018

It's funny how people get stressed over something they control 100%. Just don't use these smart assistant if you don't want. Simple.
Mrk

hawki · Jan 7, 2019

"'That's not true': Amazon's Alexa just hilariously interrupted a Qualcomm exec in the middle of his speech at CES

Amazon's Alexa interrupted a Qualcomm executive giving a keynote at CES on Monday afternoon in an eerie sign that artificial intelligence really does have a mind of its own.

Reporters at the event tweeted about Alexa's notable interruption, in which the voice assistant reportedly said "No, that's not true," in response to something said by the speaker."

https://www.businessinsider.in/that...of-his-speech-at-ces/articleshow/67428882.cms

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/blakemontgomery/alexa-interrupted-ces

hawki · Jan 7, 2019

"Kohler put Alexa in a toilet so Happy New Year

This is an intelligent toilet that uses surround sound speakers and dynamic ambient lighting systems to hopefully immerse you in an environment so tranquil, so idyllic, that you actually forget you’re sitting on a toilet. The Numi 2.0 also comes with personalized cleansing and dryer functions as well as a heated seat. Plus, the Numi 2.0 also provides a little company in the form of Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant..."

https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/07/kohler-put-alexa-in-a-toilet-so-happy-new-year/

Krusty · Jan 7, 2019

I'm glad I'm growing older. Quite scary where the future is heading.

Circuit · Jan 7, 2019

Krusty said: ↑

I'm glad I'm growing older. Quite scary where the future is heading.
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That's why our life-span is about 80 give or take.

Krusty · Jan 7, 2019

Circuit said: ↑

That's why our life-span is about 80 give or take.
Click to expand...

I doubt I'll get that far, but it is amazing how much abuse our bodies can handle.

guest · Jan 13, 2019

Keyboard + Alexa
Why is my keyboard connected to the cloud?
Just because you can, doesn't mean that you should
January 13, 2019
https://www.zdnet.com/article/why-is-my-keyboard-connected-to-the-cloud/

At last week's CES, Razer took it a step further when it announced it is adding support for users to use Alexa to control their peripherals.
"Alexa, ask Chroma to change my lighting profile to FPS mode," Razer cheerily proclaims as an example of its upcoming functionality.

For this to work, the software that usually controls keyboard and mice settings needs to be connected to Amazon Alexa.
It's a 2-for-1 cloud connection, because once you embrace the idea of Razer's servers being secure, then you've already accepted a more risky proposition than using just Amazon.
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ronjor · Jan 25, 2019

Did Amazon overextend itself with its rapid Alexa devices expansion?

by Nat Levy on January 25, 2019
Last September, Amazon unveiled a dozen new and updated devices at its annual big hardware unveiling — double the number it unveiled at a smaller gathering a year before. It’s been four months since that big event at the Spheres, and issues with a few devices are popping up.
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guest · Feb 18, 2019

Amazon is once again selling its Echo Wall Clock
February 18, 2019
https://www.neowin.net/news/amazon-is-once-again-selling-its-echo-wall-clock

Announced in September alongside several other Alexa-enabled products, the Amazon Echo Wall Clock ended up having to be pulled from the online retailer due to connectivity issues. As spotted by The Verge today, the item is once again available for purchase.

Priced at an affordable $29.99, the Echo Wall Clock connects to existing Echo devices, using LED lights around the edges so you can see the status of a timer that you've set.
Unfortunately, it's only compatible with Amazon's Echo products, including the Echo, Echo Plus, Echo Dot, Echo Spot, Echo Show, and Echo Input, meaning that you can't use it with third-party Alexa speakers.

If you want to check out the Echo Wall Clock on Amazon, you can find it here. It's shipping now for $29.99.
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hawki · May 14, 2019

"Alexa Can Now Alert You if Glass Breaks or Your Smoke Alarm Goes Off

If you’ve got an Amazon Echo, it can now double as a secondary alert system for fires and break-ins. Today, Amazon is introducing a new feature in the U.S. called Alexa Guard, which will notify you with audio and video clips whenever it detects your smoke alarm or the sound of broken glass..."

https://gizmodo.com/alexa-can-now-alert-you-if-glass-breaks-or-your-smoke-a-1834747615

hawki · May 26, 2019

"Siri and Alexa Reinforce Gender Bias, U.N. Finds

Why do most virtual assistants that are powered by artificial intelligence — like Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa system — by default have female names, female voices and often a submissive or even flirtatious style?

The problem, according to a new report released this week by Unesco, stems from a lack of diversity within the industry that is reinforcing problematic gender stereotypes..."

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/22/world/siri-alexa-ai-gender-bias.html

ronjor · Sep 12, 2019

Amazon is hosting its big new hardware event on Sept. 25

Todd Haselton@robotodd 12 sep 2019
Key Points
Amazon is hosting its big annual hardware event on Sept. 25 in Seattle.
Last year it introduced 15 new Alexa-enabled products and ways for partners to build Alexa into other gadgets.
This year we will likely learn about new Alexa hardware from Amazon.
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guest · Sep 23, 2019

Here’s what to expect from Amazon’s big hardware event
New Echo devices? New Fire TV things? We’ll find out
September 23, 2019
https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/23/...ware-event-echo-fire-tv-kindle-what-to-expect

Amazon is hosting an event in Seattle on Wednesday, September 25th, where it is expected to announce new hardware and possibly new services. The company held a similar event last September where it unleashed over 70 announcements and many new products across its Echo and Fire TV product lines.

It’s hard to say whether the company will do the same thing this year, as Amazon has managed to be the only tech company to keep its products from leaking ahead of their formal announcements. But since it’s hosting an event and inviting journalists out to Seattle to attend it, we expect there will be something to see.
LIKELY STUFF: NEW ECHO DEVICES, RING PRODUCTS [...]
MAYBE STUFF: FIRETV PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, FIRE TABLETS [...]
DON’T EXPECT IT: NEW KINDLE DEVICES [...]
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hawki · Sep 23, 2019

"Leaker Claims Alexa-Powered Earbuds Are Amazon's Next Big Device...

...recent leaks claim Amazon’s next big tech push could come in the form of Alexa-powered wireless earbuds.

Based on info from a source who spoke to CNBC, the rumored earbuds are codenamed “Puget” and are designed to make Amazon’s Alexa digital assistant easier to use while on the go, while also doubling as a health and fitness device capable of tracking metrics like calories burned, distance traveled, and running speed...

CNBC’s source claims that for Puget, Amazon is looking to undercut competitors like Apple’s AirPods and Samsung’s Galaxy Buds by pricing its upcoming wireless earbuds at under $100..."

https://gizmodo.com/leaker-claims-alexa-powered-earbuds-are-amazons-next-bi-1838373869

guest · Sep 25, 2019

The biggest announcements, live from Amazon’s fall 2019 hardware event
All of the headlines from Amazon’s big hardware-focused event
September 25, 2019
https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/25/...s-announcements-updates-highlights-alexa-echo

Amazon’s fall hardware event is underway. We expect to hear about a ton of new products, and there have already been several announcements, including a new voice-powered smart oven, an affordable Eero mesh Wi-Fi system, the high-end Echo Studio speaker, and more — all of which you can see below.

Last year’s event saw the debut of a smart microwave, smart clock, and more, so Amazon will likely expand its efforts to take over your home just as it has set out to take over your living room with its streaming devices and TVs.
Unlike most major hardware events, this one isn’t being streamed live. However, we’re gathering all of the latest announcements below, so you won’t miss a beat.
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Amazon follows up its Alexa microwave with a new Alexa Smart Oven

Last year, Amazon introduced the world to the AmazonBasics Microwave, its first real kitchen appliance, which offered the ability to be controlled with Alexa. And now the company is following that up with a new appliance, the $249.99 Alexa Smart Oven: a combination microwave, convection cooker, air fryer, and food warmer.

Like the Alexa microwave, the Alexa Smart Oven doesn’t offer Echo hardware on board — there’s no microphone or speaker — but rather is controlled through a separate Alexa device.

In addition to the fact that the Alexa Smart Oven offers more cooking options, Amazon has also expanded the Alexa integration on offer: there’s a new “scan to cook” feature that will work with “hundreds” of prepackaged food products (including ones sold by Amazon-owned Whole Foods, of course.) You’ll also be able to do things like set the temperature and preheat the oven through voice controls.
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ronjor · Sep 25, 2019

Every Single Piece of Hardware Amazon Announced Today

guest · Sep 26, 2019

Amazon’s new products show it wants Alexa to always be with you
September 26, 2019
https://www.technologyreview.com/f/...ts-show-it-wants-alexa-to-always-be-with-you/

The news: Amazon unveiled a dizzying number of new gadgets yesterday, including wireless ear phones (Echo Buds), a smart ring (Echo Loop), and smart glasses (Echo Frames). They all provide hands-free access, so you can ask Alexa to play a song, give you directions, or whatever else you may need, on the go. The products cost between $129-$180 each.
What’s behind all this: Taking these three products together, there’s a clear push to move Alexa beyond the home, and onto your body. While Google Assistant is embedded into Android smartphones, people currently only use Alexa at home, and there’s no Amazon smartphone.

Will people be comfortable walking around openly talking to a voice assistant? It’s one thing in the home, but quite another on the subway or in the park. Many smartwatches have a speaker facility, but it’s very rare to see anyone using it in public.
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