Thinking about getting Alexa......

dilettante said:
Many devices operate in a different vendor's ecosystem using their own cloud services. Amazon's Alexa system has a feature called "skills" to extend its reach into those. The 3rd party normally provides such skills and you add those plugins to Alexa to bridge over to them.

I try to stick to the Tuya ecosystem. That way most of my devices can use one Alexa skill.

Smart light bulbs, hallway night lights, plugs for other appliances like lamps with regular bulbs, temperature and humidity sensors, cameras, motion sensors, the list goes on and on. Even an essential oil mister.

You can create multi-device lighting "scenes" controlled via a single command. Or Echo speaker groups, including the basic Everywhere group. When cleaning I'll say "Alexa, play Bossa Nova Everywhere." For cooking I can ask my Kitchen Dot "Alexa, play Fleetwood Mac." Or sometimes when I'm reading and wandering around I'll say "Alexa, play ambient jazz Everywhere." Or even "Alexa, play Star Trek by Michael Giacchino."

It is also possible to bind two Echo devices as a stereo speaker pair.

I even have Portable Dot which is a 2nd generation Echo Dot mounted on a rechargeable battery base. This can be taken out on the patio, or even down to the basement when working down there or cowering during tornado warnings.

Then there are Routines, where an event (motion sensor triggered?) can trigger actions (turn on a given set of lights?).
Click to expand...
Your system sounds very interesting. Do you find it is an enjoyable addition to your life? It sounds like it is. It is like having an invisible partner that operates a lot of tasks for you. We don't have any devices like that. I was wondering what the cost would be to get an inexpensive device that I could interact with, by voice, and get information from, news that I want to hear, music, podcasts, just anything to interact with that brings me the most bang for the bucks.? Should I just shop around, or does anyone have such an inexpensive/expensive toy?
 
I bought an Echo Flex for $12.50 USD on sale when they were new. It has only simple microphones and a tiny speaker, but it is meant as a basic model for use in the garage or at a workbench.

I bought Echo Dot 2nd generation devices for under $30 new.

I think a new Echo Pop runs about $26, the new Echo Dot more like $50. However these often go on sale with deep discounts and I'm sure this Summer will see such a sale or two. Often Amazon even sells used, reconditioned older units for good prices.
 

The reason I don't like Alexa is simple. I was at my mother's house. Alexa was turned off, or so I thought. My friend and I were discussing Harry Potter movies and and used no word that could have been mistaken for "Alexa". Suddenly Alexa piped up and suggested a HP movie for us to watch.

Ergo, Alexa was somehow listening to us. Also, this happened to my Mom sometimes, as did hearing via Alexa voices from the neighbor's house. My mother had just died, and even Alexa could not contact her to get more information on her experiences.
 
WheatenLover said:
The reason I don't like Alexa is simple. I was at my mother's house. Alexa was turned off, or so I thought. My friend and I were discussing Harry Potter movies and and used no word that could have been mistaken for "Alexa". Suddenly Alexa piped up and suggested a HP movie for us to watch.

Ergo, Alexa was somehow listening to us. Also, this happened to my Mom sometimes, as did hearing via Alexa voices from the neighbor's house. My mother had just died, and even Alexa could not contact her to get more information on her experiences.
Click to expand...
I've heard people say this, but I have never had that happen, and I've had Amazon echo for about 10 years. Occasionally it will answer but only if i use the wake word or one very similar on tv...

It's really not listening to you, despite what people think...:D
 
Last edited:
hollydolly said:
I've heard people say this, but I have never had that hapen, and I've had Amazon echo for about 10 years. Occasionally it will answer but only if i use the wake word or one very similar on tv...

It's really not listening to you, despite what peole think...:D
Click to expand...
I don't believe it's not listening ... there have been too many tech advances of which I doubt we fully know the extent, and I suspect that plenty of connected things can now listen if a company collecting data makes it happen.

I don't feel paranoid, just wary. I definitely am 100% against any company collecting my data without me giving my direct permission. Now, I would never give permission for that, as boring as my data likely is. I also protect my phone and Linux computer with Proton VPN and email, etc. and with BleachBit.

I also checked CreditWise about 2 weeks ago-- no problems. Checked it again a few days ago, and they suddenly have instances of my name, address, and social security number being found on the dark web since 1995, which was when I started using the internet. There are a dozen instances of it being on the dark web from now through last year. This is likely due to data breaches since I have especially been careful about not giving any entity my SSN unless it is required by the federal and state governments (income tax returns, bank accounts).

I have been exceedingly careful, and still my information is on the dark web. I am going to figure out what (if anything) I can do about it. It simply makes me furious that large companies that have my (and others) information are not forced to make sure that their data is secure. How can hackers have the upper hand when it comes to data security unless those charged with securing data are negligent or stupid???

I wonder how the federal government fits into all this. Where is their responsibility to keeping our SSN's safe from hackers. They do all sorts of high level technology stuff, so I think it is possible. And if so, it should be done.

If I were younger, I would become a white hat hacker of the highest order. I am not kidding; I am furious and I have the smarts to do it. What I don't have, most probably, is the time left on this earth to achieve that.
 
WheatenLover said:
I don't believe it's not listening ... there have been too many tech advances of which I doubt we fully know the extent, and I suspect that plenty of connected things can now listen if a company collecting data makes it happen.

I don't feel paranoid, just wary. I definitely am 100% against any company collecting my data without me giving my direct permission. Now, I would never give permission for that, as boring as my data likely is. I also protect my phone and Linux computer with Proton VPN and email, etc. and with BleachBit.

I also checked CreditWise about 2 weeks ago-- no problems. Checked it again a few days ago, and they suddenly have instances of my name, address, and social security number being found on the dark web since 1995, which was when I started using the internet. There are a dozen instances of it being on the dark web from now through last year. This is likely due to data breaches since I have especially been careful about not giving any entity my SSN unless it is required by the federal and state governments (income tax returns, bank accounts).

I have been exceedingly careful, and still my information is on the dark web. I am going to figure out what (if anything) I can do about it. It simply makes me furious that large companies that have my (and others) information are not forced to make sure that their data is secure. How can hackers have the upper hand when it comes to data security unless those charged with securing data are negligent or stupid???

I wonder how the federal government fits into all this. Where is their responsibility to keeping our SSN's safe from hackers. They do all sorts of high level technology stuff, so I think it is possible. And if so, it should be done.

If I were younger, I would become a white hat hacker of the highest order. I am not kidding; I am furious and I have the smarts to do it. What I don't have, most probably, is the time left on this earth to achieve that.
Click to expand...
Please let us know if you learn what can be done about this - if anything.
 
dilettante said:
Want something real to worry about?

Click to expand...
About 25 years ago, I took my mom to a new doctor. While getting to know her a bit, he asked her how old she was (late 70s), then he apologized for asking such a personal question. She smiled at him and said, "Oh, c'mon. We both know there's no such thing as privacy anymore."

How right she was. True then, truer now.
 
dilettante said:
Want something real to worry about?

Click to expand...
why is an Australian talking about American Hipaa?

The uk doesn't have Hipaa...but we do have an equivelent in the DPA


United Kingdom has laws that serve similar purposes to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, particularly regarding the protection of personal health information.

The key legislation in the UK includes:
  1. Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018): This law implements the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the UK and provides a framework for the handling of personal data, including health information. It establishes principles for data processing, rights for individuals, and obligations for data controllers and processors.
  2. UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR): This regulation works alongside the DPA 2018 and outlines specific rules for the processing of personal data, including sensitive information such as health records.
  3. Common Law Duty of Confidentiality: This principle holds that health care providers must keep patient information confidential unless there is a lawful reason to disclose it.
  4. NHS Confidentiality Code of Practice: This code provides guidance specifically for health care providers in the NHS regarding the confidentiality of patient information.
https://poe.com/chat/3pj6xq84sps50ux00p4
 
hollydolly said:
why is an Australian talking about American Hipaa?
Click to expand...
I always assume that (a.) they don't have much going on down there besides snakes and spiders; (b.) everyone keeps a close eye on the US because, you know, gossip; (c.) "make big money on YouTube" and a larger audience means more dollarydoos in the pocket!
 
Just had a weirdie occur for the first time.

Got an email that the Alexa ecosystem had discovered a new device it can control.

Looked in my Alexa phone app, and sho 'nuff, there is a Matter-enabled Govee light bulb it discovered. Hmm, I have no Govee light bulbs here at all. Must be the neighbor's?

Note that because setting it up requires either scanning a QR code on the bulb or entering its numeric code there really isn't a security issue here. People can't easily take over your house and turn it into a haunted mansion. Well, more easily now, but still not easily.


"Matter" is a newer technology that Apple pushes because their knickers are in a twist: they have a vanishingly small number of smart home device partners. So they bribed up a consortium to implement "Thread" (network protocol) and "Matter" (application framework) that lets Apple get a foot in the door since they "invented" (bought the patents to) it.

When you think "evil," think Apple.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top