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Amazon Sidewalk

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Re: Amazon Sidewalk

#301

Post by prox »

yunohn wrote: post #77
prox wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For me at some point it became an insight that I don’t always want “faster” or even “simpler” , most things are simple enough already that I don’t need to trade privacy, security, speed or even a nice discount for that latest and greatest product that’s actually just a new sales channel disguised as a product or app.

I feel like you’re making a tangential observation, rather than a direct response to the concept of “convenience” being useful in modern life. Anyways, could you provide some concrete examples of products where you were able to obtain such privacy and security guarantees with minimal friction?

I usually research any product where it comes from, who owns it, what is the angle of the company. In a way that is convenience to me nowadays. Recently I bought a 3d app, and I first checked what the company did, how did it treat its customers. What does its actions look like? This is kind of my standard procedure these days.

Re: Amazon Sidewalk

#302

Post by carschno »

Cosmin_C wrote: post #203
danpalmer wrote: post #162

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Dumb TVs" would cost more. It's hard to market something that costs more and has what most people would perceive to be fewer features. They would cost more because post-sale content sales and advertising generate revenue for TV manufacturers, which they use to subsidise the device sale price, because it's such a competitive, low-margin, market.

I may be living in my own small little bubble but I don't know anybody shopping for anything because their smart TV showed an ad. Everything ads seem to do is just piss some people off. Then again I remember that if commercials weren't successful, TV as we know it would not exist. People gobbling up ads and buying stuff because of that is why ads are still being used after all. After all... https://www.nytimes.com/19…

Ads are not primarily about making the user consciously _like_ a product. They are about making the user _know_ a product or brand. Once they are in the mood or need of buying something, product X "feels" vaguely familiar. This is supposed to give them more confidence in the potential purchase.

Re: Amazon Sidewalk

#303

Post by rfrey »

mchristen wrote: post #244
sithadmin wrote: post #234

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is a huge market for 'dumb panels', under the moniker of 'digital signage'. Nearly every major TV vendor has 'dumb' displays SKUs on offer in many different configs. The only problem is that they aren't always easy to get one's hand on, as they usually are sold through b2b channels instead of consumer-facing retail outlets.

They are oftentimes way more expense, I'm guessing because you aren't subsidizing the cost with your data.

I don't believe for a second that data is subsidizing anything. It's a revenue stream, sure, but prices haven't gone down as data collection went up.

Re: Amazon Sidewalk

#304

Post by nr2x »

criddell wrote: post #282

Didn't you see the part where it's been designed to protect your privacy? It's only there to make sure all the cameras and internet microphones around your neighborhood stay live. You know, to protect your privacy.

“Encryption”

Re: Amazon Sidewalk

#305

Post by userbinator »

choeger wrote: post #154
Clewza313 wrote: post #104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So armed Amazon goons kicking down your door and bringing you to the dungeons of the Ministry of Customer Obsession to be tortured with fake cattle prod knockoffs?

Nope. Much more like this: You are legally obliged to install a smart meter, smart smoke detector and smart heating control in your home. If you rent, your landlord will install these things. If you own the authorities will inspect the presence and operation of these devices and fine you if you don't comply. All these devices will be offered by companies like amazon. Coincidentally, amazon lobbyists shape the laws th…

Rural life never looked so good...

Re: Amazon Sidewalk

#306

Post by notyourwork »

spamalot159 wrote: post #200
jiofih wrote: post #145

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m not sure a parallel can be drawn to the Find My network. That one is purely designed for location tracking in an anonymous way, and does not have the ability to transfer data between devices or any other type of tracking.

You're right but it is pushing their advantage from the phone sector onto another and forcing out their competition in Tile. That sounds to me like monopolistic activity.

At what point is a business making decisions for its own interest not a problem?

We always criticism big companies for their market position. Where is the line drawn between big enough to be successful but not big enough to be unfair player using existing business to leapfrog into other areas?

It seems we are quick to point a finger but its never qualified. We just think "x is big, x is doing y, x is being unfair."

Re: Amazon Sidewalk

#307

Post by gedaxiang »

jxf wrote: post #237

If you want to disable Sidewalk, here's a quick Tweet I wrote back in November: https://twitter.com/jxxf/status/1332684843331825665?s=19

Weird, I don't even see the Sidewalk option in Account Settings

EDIT: looks like my Echo is too old to be compatible. Lucky I guess!

Re: Amazon Sidewalk

#308

Post by Traster »

jelling wrote: post #44
dangerface wrote: post #19

I love how insidious Amazon are with their products, get the hardware into their homes then just change what it does to what you want. What you didn't read the EULA in the last update?

The latest Firestick software update is a great example of this. The new UI/UX aggressively de-prioritizes apps from content producers in favor of a "feed" that lets them push their own content and intermediate content producers from their customers. They even go as far as to deliberately hide your saved items/watch next items three levels deep in a menu.

This is one of the reasons why I've always been fascinated by people who claim Amazon has a customer focus. It is impossible to get what you awant from Amazon. If you go to Amazon they are going to make sure you get what they want to give you. You're going to watch the content they make, buy the white label goods they produce and click the adverts they put in front of you. It is the most customer hostile company I've ever seen.

Re: Amazon Sidewalk

#309

Post by notyourwork »

rubatuga wrote: post #11

Please don’t support Amazon from creating another network-effect product that creates vendor lock-in, and privacy issues. Convenience should not be the end-all goal, as the ad blatantly states, but instead interoperability and open-protocols.

> Convenience should not be the end-all goal

For who? Even as a tech savvy person, that is ALL I want. I used to tinker around with home projects, nowadays I want things that work with no fuss. I don't want to play IT support desk for my family, I want their stuff to work.

Convenience is exactly what people want who don't understand technology but want to use it for benefit.

Re: Amazon Sidewalk

#310

Post by bawana »

They are using MY echo, MY bandwidth, MY data. Why should I give it to them for free? I am going offline with a raspberry pi picovoice. I get all the functionality of voice control without the sewage that comes with today's internet.
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