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The Smart Speaker!

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One of the things that make me snicker (yes, even at my age, I still snicker) is the reality of smart speakers. The Amazon Alexa speaker listens for voice commands based on the phrase Alexa and then an action. Google looks for the passphrase Hey Google, and Cortana looks for Hey Cortana. But, the reality of advertising is that many companies advertised smart speaker services on the radio. My speaker in my office has Alexa integrated. When the ad on the radio would say Alexa tune to ESPN, my smart speaker tuned to ESPN, it makes me snicker as I said. It does call to mind a comedy routine I listened to a few months ago, where the comic talked about looking for smart speakers when visiting people’s houses.

Every time the host would leave the room, the comic would change the radio on the smart speaker (Alexa play Halloween music)! It made me laugh out loud. I know a few people. Let’s call them smart speaker warriours that would love the impact of something like that. Hey, why is your speaker playing Christmas music, its July? That got me thinking about my continued interest in voice control. The reality of voice control is ambient noise. Siri does ok inside the house. In my car, the voice control is not as effective. Alexa does find in the house, and I got the Alexa car kit, I am going to install it and see it in the car (with car noise) the Alexa car kit will do better than Siri.

I can now, fairly say that Voice Control devices are no longer a fad. They have moved into the mass market. TV’s, cars and speakers all offer voice control systems. I don’t recommend relying on the Toyota Voice control system, and it isn’t good. Siri is ok, but you often have to repeat yourself in the car. Recently I noticed that the ads that used to use the name Alexa, now say “tell your smart speaker to play X.” I wonder though if it is a smart speaker if, it is playing something that has it change its playback.

As more and more devices add voice control, I wonder what is next. Voice control toothbrushes? (brush faster, brush slower). Voice control razors? Who knows. Well, somebody knows, but it isn’t me.

  • Question of

    would you buy a toothbrush that told you to brush longer?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    would you buy a spoon that told you that you were eating too fast?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    would you buy a key finder that talked to you (warmer, colder)?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    Would you buy a speaker that had a name no one knew so that no one else oculd change your music?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    is it ok to change someone’s smart speaker music?

    • Yes
    • No

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Written by DocAndersen

One fan, One team and a long time dream Go Cubs!!!!!!!!!!!!!

37 Comments

  2. Q: would you buy a toothbrush that told you to brush longer?
    Yes (2 votes) – 22%
    No (7 votes) – 78%
    Q: would you buy a spoon that told you that you were eating too fast?
    Yes (1 votes) – 11%
    No (8 votes) – 89%
    Q: would you buy a key finder that talked to you (warmer, colder)?
    Yes (7 votes) – 88%
    No (1 votes) – 13%
    Q: Would you buy a speaker that had a name no one knew so that no one else oculd change your music?
    Yes (4 votes) – 50%
    No (4 votes) – 50%
    Q: is it ok to change someone’s smart speaker music?
    Yes (3 votes) – 38%
    No (5 votes) – 63%

  7. Last time I lost my keys I was in my twenties. I had to leave for work and therefore locked myself out of the house. I could start my ’65 VW Bug with a screwdriver or a strong thumbnail. When I got home I had to kick the door in just like the movies. Then I had to repair the door. My keys were on a table in plain sight (darn). Since then I have a rule about keys.
    You might guess I don’t have a smart anything. The changing music – why didn’t I think of that? Shoot.

    1

    • 🙂 I traveled for 10 years. In that time period, I developed check rules. One of those rules was around my car keys.

      1. Always in the same place period.
      2. checklist before I sleep, yes keys are in the right place.

      I haven’t lost my keys, like you since my 20s because of that system!

      1

    • That, by the way, would be an awesome movie for your movie series. Keys in a room, 360-degree view around the keys, end with a pullback and the person outside trying to pry open a window!

      1

      • That would be excellent for a one or two minute film contest.
        During the recent 10 days that I was a little quiet here I finished and uploaded 6 new films.

        1

          • I had breakfast down there last week. I missed the Merrie Ellen going back in the water. It was a quick stop for them. I think the tides may help predict the lifts at work on larger boats. The animations consume time like crazy and I get lost in them. But, yes there will be some more. Oh, my deer compilation film is steadily progressing.

            1

    • But you are my “doc you didn’t explain this well” reader pal. When you tell me I missed, then I know to make sure I write the information for everyone.

      Thank you!!!!

      • I don’t understand this comment best, my friend …. I didn’t tell you you were wrong …. I wrote that I always look for the keys

        1

        • No i was just saying you always let me know in your comments when I wasn’t clear and I welcome that!

          In this case I was clear – Looking for keys is something I hate doing!

          🙂

          1

  9. I would buy anything but one that would help locate the keys for me.. Nope more for my husband who makes me run around for the keys. 🙂

    1