Tech Talk: Alexa, Stop Spying On Me! What Else Is Available?
Narration provided by Wondervox
By Mark McNease
We would not have a small electronic spy sitting on our kitchen counter insisting it would never mislead us.
Not long ago we were eating dinner at the kitchen table, enjoying the soothing sounds of 70s music from the all-knowing Alexa. Suddenly its robotic voice shouted out, “I would never lie to you!” We had not asked it anything, or inadvertently said ‘Alexa,’ or in any other way prompted this startling and dystopian intrusion into our meal.
That was that: she had to go. We’d read recently that Alexa would soon start recording every conversation it hears and storing it in ‘the cloud.’ Opting out of this police-state function was not an option. How true any of it is, or what it could mean, didn’t matter. We would not have a small electronic spy sitting on our kitchen counter insisting it would never mislead us.
So … what are some alternatives for those looking for a similar device? After researching several, we decided on the Apple HomePad Mini. At just $99, it’s doing the few things we want, especially playing music, checking the weather, and providing easily-accessible information. Keep reading for some pros, cons, and maybes about other devices.
Exploring Alternatives to Alexa: Smart Home Voice Assistants
Our choice ($99):
The Apple HomePod Mini. It’s a small, round, simple solution for people who value basic functionality and privacy. Its design blends into any room (it’s just a small, colored orb), while the sound quality is excellent for the size—rich, clear audio perfect for music lovers and ‘what’s the weather’ junkies. In addition to privacy-centric features, which is very important to us, it integrates with Apple’s ecosystem, allowing users to sync their calendars, send messages, and control HomeKit-enabled smart devices. It uses Siri, Apple’s voice assistant, and can be set to recognize your voice. NOTE: it’s set up using on person’s iPhone/system. You can set it for multiple uses, but that’s a little more complicated.
Pros:
– Strong emphasis on user privacy
– Deep integration with Apple’s ecosystem
– Good for controlling Apple HomeKit devices
Cons:
– Limited compatibility with non-Apple smart devices
– Fewer third-party skills and integrations
I’m not a fan of Google, for both political reasons and because I think it’s as much a surveillance tool as Alexa is. But if you don’t mind being tracked in every possible way, this may be for you.
Google’s voice assistant is know for its superior search capabilities and seamless integration with Google services like Maps, Calendar, and Gmail. It powers devices like Google Nest Hub and Nest Audio.
Pros:
– Excellent natural language understanding
– Strong integration with Google services
– Wide range of compatible smart devices
Cons:
– Privacy concerns for some users
– Slightly less third-party device compatibility compared to Alexa
Built into Samsung Galaxy devices and newer Samsung smart appliances, Bixby aims to provide a comprehensive voice assistant experience.
Pros:
– Deep integration with Samsung devices
– Good for controlling Samsung smart appliances
Cons:
– Less widespread and fewer features outside Samsung ecosystem
– Not as advanced in natural language understanding
There are other options, but these are the three big ones. We didn’t need anything all that fancy, and we were happy with Alexa until she went to the dark side and started reporting us to the thought and speech police. Even if that’s just hyperbole and paranoia, I don’t want a machine telling me it will never lie to me when I didn’t ask it anything.
Questions? Topics? Reach me at Editor AT LGBTSR.com