Why someone wants a smart home assistant is beyond me

[oshunluvr]

As much as so may espouse the decline of the Unites States, it is such as this which (still) makes us the greatest country on the planet.

Even more important to remember after the past year and no doubt the coming one. "This too shall pass."

[TWPonKubuntu]

As much as so may espouse the decline of the Unites States, it is such as this which (still) makes us the greatest country on the planet.

And let's try to keep it that way or "don't let the alligators get you down" (swamp reference).

[oshunluvr]

My final comment here: It's Friday night. I'm taking the wife down to the local brewery. Won't you all join us? Even in absentia, you're more than welcome!

[TWPonKubuntu]

Raises a glass (mug, stein) in salute.

[Snowhog]

Actually concidering going out for pizza and beer. How fortuatice

[GreyGeek]

And, in America's current climate, accusation is equated to guilt, followed by a short trial in the media, loss of your job, etc... So, who's being paranoid? Someone could decide, 30 or40 years later, that a "curious glance" you gave them was really sexual harrasement.



In "1984" speaker/microphones were required equipment in each domicile and in every room in every building. Many had cameras. We could be only a decade away from that scenerio.

[Bings]

I'm not going to get in the privacy argument because I've found you either care you don't. This "smart" life is just pointless crap as far as I am concerned. Does humanity really need technology so they don't have to do really easy things like turning off a light switch. Online shopping is already easy, why do we need to ask a machine to order a box of cereal. It's nonsense. I love technology but don't people think their life might be a little over engineered when they are adjusting the thermostat with their phone. I want technology to help me do what I can't do by myself. I don't need it to trim my toenails and wash my balls for me.

[TWPonKubuntu]

Bings, those last additional capabilities are already available...

I notice that these "tools" are being advertised as either;

1) a labor saving device in the "can't do without" category
or
2) just the most cool, trendy, "hip" (yeah, I'm that old) and socially desirable addition to a household...

The ads make no mention of the resemblance to Orwell's "1984"... That would be a turn off to anyone old enough to know the film... It should be required viewing for college admittance.

I recall the Star Trek TV series and the use of exactly the kind of tools we are now seeing in the PDA's. I was in my 20's when that wave of "education" washed over an entire generation of gullible people. Yeah, I bought it then too. All I had was a slide rule. "Computer, what is the location of Mr. Spock?" "Mr. Spock is not on board the Enterprise." Notice that everyone wore a badge/communicator? At least they didn't have their noses buried in a tiny screen.

Ok, done now, going to bed. Night all!

[MoonRise]

I can see in certain cases of disability or recovery from serious medical issues, on of these "things" may be useful, ...

Agree to that but past that I agree with Dequire - "Why someone wants a smart home assistant is beyond me"

But that is my opinion.

[GreyGeek]

I have my iPhone6+ set so that Seri replies to "her" name even when the phone is locked and in my shirt pocket. I am driving down the road and need to tell my wife when I be home. "Hey Seri". Seri responds. "Call June". Seri does. I tell my wife that I'll be home at some time. My wife hangs up. My phone hangs up. I never took my hands off of the wheel. Ditto for "Hey Seri, send June a message". "What do you want to say?" I tell Seri, then pause and say "Send it". Seri does.

My wife was always writing down her grocery needs on a piece of paper. "Why don't you use your Reminders program on your iPhone?" "It's too complicated". I show her: "Hey Seri". "Yes Jerry" "Add onions to the groceries list in the reminder program". "Ok, I've added onions to your groceries list" "goodbye" Seri closes her audio interface.

I could give other examples, but my 11 yr old grandson makes me look like an amature when it comes to using Seri.

[dequire]

I have my iPhone6+ set so that Seri replies to "her" name even when the phone is locked and in my shirt pocket.

Damn. You were my last hope. Isn't one wife enough? :P lol.

[dequire]

Perhaps relevant to the conversation:

Slashdot - Google Home Ends A Domestic Dispute By Calling The Police

"It's easy to imagine police getting tired of being called to citizen's homes every time they watch the latest episode of Law and Order," quips Gizmodo. But they also call the incident "a clear reminder that smart home devices are always listening."

[GreyGeek]

https://xkcd.com/1807/

[jpenguin]

Reminds me of http://www.collective-evolution.com/...-be-listening/