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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

#31

Post by r00fus »

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?

I have no idea why Google doesn't get more flak, but there is a higher level of privacy standard with Apple as they neither profit from user metadata (advertising) and are the most publicly visible torch-bearer for privacy among the big corps.

I don't trust anyone (even Apple) to have an always-on listening device in my house. Too many shades of 1984. If need be, I'll push a button on my phone/bt headset and query.

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

#33

Post by smacktoward »

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

#3 turns out to be complicated to do in practice, because the API Alexa exposes to allow third-party "skills" to handle voice commands requires them to be phrased in a pretty specific format that includes the name of the skill (see https://developer.amazon.com/public/solutions/alexa/alexa-sk...). Which is a big ask for a user in a high-stress emergency situation, especially if the skill is one they aren't going to have been routinely interacting with before then. (And a 911 type application is sort of the definition of an app the user will not be routinely interacting with.)

I tinkered a little bit with this idea when the Echo Dot came out, but these limitations more or less killed my interest in exploring the concept further.

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

#34

Post by scosman »

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"

Or as an intercom:

* Alexa, call the living room: hey everybody, dinner's getting cold!

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

#36

Post by komali2 »

j_s wrote: post #12
Mtinie wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you have a different level of expected privacy with Amazon's services than you do with Apple, Google, or Microsoft? Alexa Calling will compete with FaceTime, Google Duo, and Skype (amongst others). Do you feel the same way about those other services or is your concern specifically related to the Echo platform?

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.

>gut feeling

Why are you using gut feeling to make decisions when you clearly have an internet connection right now and can confirm or deny your hypothesis instantly?

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

#37

Post by wmeredith »

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?

Are you kidding? You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy for product launches than that which is HackerNews. It doesn't much matter who is launching. The bigger they are, the more piss and vinegar you'll find in the comments. Apple and M$oft are certainly not immune to this.

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

#38

Post by jbigelow76 »

chayesfss wrote: post #25

Call/message anyone with the alexa call app? Won't get out of the gate

I think Android users would be more open to adopting a new call/message app. Apple users however are pretty well anchored to the iMessage/FaceTime combo.

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

#39

Post by danielhooper »

scosman wrote: post #34
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"

Or as an intercom: * Alexa, call the living room: hey everybody, dinner's getting cold!

More like "tell everybody the dinner's getting cold" and Alexa will figure out what room they're in ;)
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