Category: smart speaker
Is my air fryer spying on me? Which? reveals smart devices gathering most data
Which? research has found evidence of excessive smart device surveillance - from air fryers demanding permission to listen in on your conversations and sharing data with TikTok, to TVs wanting to know your exact location. The consumer association rated products across four categories and gave them overall privacy scores for factors including consent and what…
Tougher laws for UK’s internet-enabled smart devices
Manufacturers will have to follow stricter rules if they want to sell internet-enabled 'smart' gadgets such as smart speakers and security cameras as a new law comes into force. From today, manufacturers will be legally required to protect consumers from hackers and cyber criminals from accessing devices with internet or network connectivity - from smartphones…
How to secure your smart home device
From thermostats to security cameras, smart home devices have become integral parts of modern living. However, hackers are increasingly targeting these devices, exploiting their vulnerabilities to gain unauthorised access and steal data. So, how can you enjoy the convenience of this futuristic tech without falling prey to criminals? Trevor Cooke, the online privacy expert…
Children overrate intelligence of smart speakers, study finds
Image: The Ellen Show, When Kids Use Amazon Alexa, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX6yxXuyALA Children overrate the intelligence of smart speakers – such as Alexa, Siri or Google Home – and are uncertain if the systems can think like humans or not, research suggests. Around two out of three school pupils who were surveyed about…
The Impact of Voice Assistants in Our Daily Lives
A recent study found that voice assistance use in the UK is increasing, with a recorded 28 per cent of respondents saying they use these tools multiple times a day. Whether you are a current user or looking for a voice assistant-enabled device, understanding the potential impact of voice assistants in your life is essential.…
Smart speaker shipments slow down as market matures
The US smart speaker market continued to contract during 2Q22, posting a decline of 14% year-over-year (YoY) according to Omdia’s latest quarterly smart speaker tracker. Although Amazon-branded smart speakers grew 33% during the quarter relative to last year, other brands like Google and Apple were down 31% and 57%, respectively. Given the rapid growth in…
Charity develops smart speaker tool for product recalls
A new development for smart speakers could help to prevent fires in UK homes. The add on, compatible with Google Home and Alexa, will inform users, when prompted, if a manufacturer has issued a product recall. The response rate to electrical product recalls in the UK is typically low mainly due to products not being…
Deezer now compatible with Apple HomePod and HomePod Mini
Music streaming service Deezer is now compatible with Apple's HomePod and HomePod mini smart speakers. Music lovers can set Deezer as their default music service and ask Siri to play any song from its global catalogue of 73 million tracks. All paying subscribers with iOS 14.3 and above and the latest software on HomePod can use…
1 in 5 US adults now own Amazon Echo
Smart home technology industry has grown incredibly in the last decade with homes becoming more and more interconnected than ever before. The most popular smart home device by far is the smart speaker, with the Amazon Echo dominating its competitors. According to data presented by Trading Platforms, 20% of Americans surveyed now own an Amazon…
Amazon Alexa accused of spreading antisemitism
Amazon has been accused of spreading antisemitic messages through its Alexa voice assistant by MPs who warned they would be contacting police over the incidents, according to The Telegraph. In a letter from the All-Party Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism, the MPs said they had found that Alexa was answering questions about Jewish people using information from antisemitic…
