Alexis v/s?others? - Non-Wakeboarding Discussion

(baitkiller) · (baitkiller) **Join Date: Jan 2010** 12-13-2016, 7:53 AM

Thinking of getting one for the wife. I know there are a few other options. Which and why?
Thanks

(wakemitch) · (wakemitch) **Join Date: Jun 2005** 12-13-2016, 7:58 AM

Are you really okay with something listening and recording all the time?

(wakebrad) · (wakebrad) **Join Date: Aug 2005** 12-13-2016, 8:59 AM

Do you mean Amazon Alexa?

(Cabledog) · (Cabledog) **Join Date: Dec 2013** 12-13-2016, 9:45 AM

it s called the Echo. better search now if you want one before Christmas. amazon is having a tech sale this week but delivery may not be before 12-25.

Some friends have one and it is cool but am concerned with privacy.

(baitkiller) · (baitkiller) **Join Date: Jan 2010** 12-13-2016, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wakemitch

Are you really okay with something listening and recording all the time?

Didn't know it was recording. ..

(pesos)

I've gone the Apple route for a few different reasons. Wife and I have iphones - if you don't then maybe not the best approach, but in building out a smart home little by little I've found Apple's Homekit to be the best and most secure framework.

I have a couple of Ecobee3 thermostats and the Schlage smart lock. Probably going to replace a couple of ceiling fans with the new Hunter smart fans. Still waiting for a Homekit compatible garage unit.

I can handle it all via voice from anywhere in the world on either phone or watch - voice commands relay back through the apple tv. Now that most of the kinks are worked out it works well.

(wakemitch) · (wakemitch) **Join Date: Jun 2005** 12-13-2016, 1:54 PM

https://www.wired.com/2016/12/alexa-...rd-your-voice/

(baitkiller) · (baitkiller) **Join Date: Jan 2010** 12-15-2016, 2:50 PM

Good link, thanks

(trayson)

Quote:

Originally Posted by wakemitch

https://www.wired.com/2016/12/alexa-...rd-your-voice/

I've heard this is helpful to prevent them from transmitting your recorded thoughts...

But for what it's worth, I got the google home. It understands things better in searching than Alexa. And while it doesn't integrate with a ton of smarthome stuff, it's adding a bunch of that shortly.

I went with the Wink 2 hub because it talks to about everything I'd need it to. I have a Honeywell wifi thermostat, Lutron Casita switches, MyQ garage door opener, and the wink hub controls them all. Soon (probably in the next couple months?) my Google home will allow me to control the wink.