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Amazon enables free calls and messages on all Echo devices with Alexa Calling

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Re: Amazon enables free calls and messages on all Echo devices with Alexa Calling

#21

Post by throwaway2016a »

dandr01d wrote: post #18
j_s wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My gut feeling is that FaceTime is encrypted client-to-client (or at least primarily p2p direct connections) but I don't have time right now to look into this in detail. Google / Skype are both assumed to be MitM'd; Microsoft in fact purposely re-did things to centralize Skype. If I recall correctly, Google Voice was pretty clearly used for training data.

Then how come only Amazon gets shit on when they announce new products, while no one blinks an eye at new Google or Microsoft communication-related releases?

To be fair. We (at least I haven't) looked through everything he's said online. He might have given them equal shit as well in the past.

Re: Amazon enables free calls and messages on all Echo devices with Alexa Calling

#22

Post by wan23 »

This seems like the biggest feature these devices have been missing. Some use cases off the top of my head:

* Alexa, call my phone (because I can't find it)

* Alexa, call for Chinese food (okay everyone call out what you want)

* Alexa, send a message to my son -- "I've fallen and I can't get up"

Re: Amazon enables free calls and messages on all Echo devices with Alexa Calling

#23

Post by ashark »

dandr01d wrote: post #18
j_s wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My gut feeling is that FaceTime is encrypted client-to-client (or at least primarily p2p direct connections) but I don't have time right now to look into this in detail. Google / Skype are both assumed to be MitM'd; Microsoft in fact purposely re-did things to centralize Skype. If I recall correctly, Google Voice was pretty clearly used for training data.

Then how come only Amazon gets shit on when they announce new products, while no one blinks an eye at new Google or Microsoft communication-related releases?

If it makes you feel any better, I take care to shit on all of the spy-vertisers whenever possible, and think this kind of massive data collection should be illegal.

Re: Amazon enables free calls and messages on all Echo devices with Alexa Calling

#24

Post by djhworld »

wan23 wrote: post #22

This seems like the biggest feature these devices have been missing. Some use cases off the top of my head: * Alexa, call my phone (because I can't find it) * Alexa, call for Chinese food (okay everyone call out what you want) * Alexa, send a message to my son -- "I've fallen and I can't get up"

I'm pretty sure there are a bunch of applications ("skills") out there already that do the first one in your list.

Third idea is really interesting though, maybe calling the emergency services could be good in that situation too

Re: Amazon enables free calls and messages on all Echo devices with Alexa Calling

#26

Post by hendersoon »

EchoUser wrote: post #19
owlninja wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Where does it say this?

Section 1.3 of the Alexa Terms of Use: "...to provide and improve our services...". 1.3 Alexa Interactions. You control Alexa with your voice. Alexa streams audio to the cloud when you interact with Alexa. Alexa processes and retains your Alexa Interactions, such as your voice inputs, music playlists and your Alexa to-do and shopping lists, in the cloud to provide and improve our services. Learn more about these voic…

Yes, but those are Alexa interactions. I would not necessarily read that as including audio or voice messages to another human where Amazon is not expected to interpret or understand what you're saying, but rather to pass along the voice/video as a carrier.

Then again, you could read it that way. And Amazon might. This needs clarification.

Re: Amazon enables free calls and messages on all Echo devices with Alexa Calling

#27

Post by mynameislegion1 »

djhworld wrote: post #24
wan23 wrote: post #22

This seems like the biggest feature these devices have been missing. Some use cases off the top of my head: * Alexa, call my phone (because I can't find it) * Alexa, call for Chinese food (okay everyone call out what you want) * Alexa, send a message to my son -- "I've fallen and I can't get up"

I'm pretty sure there are a bunch of applications ("skills") out there already that do the first one in your list. Third idea is really interesting though, maybe calling the emergency services could be good in that situation too

Yes indeed its interesting

Re: Amazon enables free calls and messages on all Echo devices with Alexa Calling

#28

Post by [deleted] »

xyzzy_plugh wrote: post #11
AlexandrB wrote: post #5

This is "free" as in Amazon is free to record your calls and messages and use them either as training data for AI or targeting data for advertising.

Huh? Skype is free. Google Hangouts is free. Google voice is free. Do you have a facebook account? LinkedIn? Gmail? All of your points apply there as well. How is this controversial?

[deleted]

Re: Amazon enables free calls and messages on all Echo devices with Alexa Calling

#29

Post by asciimo »

dandr01d wrote: post #18
j_s wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My gut feeling is that FaceTime is encrypted client-to-client (or at least primarily p2p direct connections) but I don't have time right now to look into this in detail. Google / Skype are both assumed to be MitM'd; Microsoft in fact purposely re-did things to centralize Skype. If I recall correctly, Google Voice was pretty clearly used for training data.

Then how come only Amazon gets shit on when they announce new products, while no one blinks an eye at new Google or Microsoft communication-related releases?

Assuming that it's true that they're always criticized for new products, it may be because they also sell a staggering breadth of other consumer products. We often see our Amazon search results on Web page ads for days after browsing on amazon.com. It's more obvious when you're being tracked and targeted by Amazon than by other consumer electronics manufacturers. (I wouldn't say I like it, but I'm OK with this contract so far.)
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