I have stridently refused to let a smart speaker into my home. The reason is simple – I have a strong distrust of cloud-based products because most manufacturers are sneaky and use them to profile you and your home.
Now that the tech giants like Google and Amazon have wormed their way into most American homes, would they misuse the trust that millions of people have placed in them? Well according to Bloomberg, they have been silently collecting data every time a switch was turned on or off.
But now, they have started demanding a continuous stream of information such as which TV channel you are watching and whether someone’s at home. All of this data can be very valuable for their own advertising purposes or to sell on to any marketing department that will pay for it. After all, data is the new oil.
What do you think – are you concerned about your smart speaker selling not just your data but ‘you’ too? Leave a comment below! Have a great weekend everyone!
News
Your Smart Light Can Tell Amazon and Google When You Go to Bed – Bloomberg
Nest Secure had a secret microphone, can now be a Google Assistant – CSO Online
Amazon tops smart home speaker market as sales surge over the holiday season – SiliconAngle
LG set to “aggressively” expand voice-controlled smart home appliances in 2019 – Neowin
1 in 4 people plan to buy a smart lock this year, study says – Digital Trends
The Battle for the Smart Home Intensifies as Amazon Buys eero – Techpinions
Making smart homes less expensive with new technology – Digital Journal
Products & Services
Xiaomi unveils new smart home display hub – Android Pit
Litho: This finger worn device will let you control your smart home through gestures – SiliconCanals.nl
Samsung’s Galaxy Home smart speaker will finally arrive in April – Mashable
Smart switch? Psh. Leviton wants to smarten up your whole breaker box – CNET
Comment and opinion
The case for smart speakers being overhyped – The Drum
It’s time for Apple to get back into the smart home in a big way – Macworld
Did Apple just get serious about making smart home products? – Gearbrain
AIs could debate whether a smart assistant should snitch on you – New Scientist
Off our beat
Samsung’s ‘Galaxy Fold’ is the world’s first phone with a foldable screen
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAOEerIbUe0
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