Voice technology is niche and just dumb. People think it's easier to have voice-everything. I've found that it is actually a pain in the ass. I've got some voice assistance in my vehicle, through Android Auto via Google. The fucking thing keeps saying "oops, there's a problem" even though I have a network, I'm connected and everything. It sucks shit.
And everything that is voice-reliant, there's always a few second delay and you're chancing on the thing even properly hearing you. How is this technology anyway easier than if you just simply had buttons that can be pressed in seconds without having to be prompted?
nosuchanon@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Why would anyone want a corporate government surveillance wire tap that’s connected to the Internet and constantly listening for voice command is beyond me.
My friend used an Alexa and smart plugs to rewire all the lights in his house because it was cheaper to get the Wi-Fi connected lights and sockets rather than rewiring the whole house.
In order to keep the thing running, no one was allowed to touch any of the lights switches on the walls because it would break the system. It was fucking hilarious listening to him yell at his Alexa to turn on the lights in the living room and have it turn on the dining room instead.
He even had the screen on the base that would follow you around as you were walking in the house and this creepy screen would constantly be monitoring you while waiting for commands.
If anyone walked in it just looked like he was screaming at the top of his refrigerator about the lights in the house.
tal@lemmy.today 1 week ago
I assume that there’s a segment of the population that:
Does vaguely like the idea of at least some home automation.
Doesn’t have the technical expertise and/or time to wrangle with something like HomeAssistant. Wants sonething that works off-the-shelf.
Doesn’t want to spend much money up front on a system, which creates pressure for an ad-supported model.
I will say that I’m still more than a little fuzzy on what substantial practical benefits people are actually getting from their deployed systems, though.
nosuchanon@lemmy.world 1 week ago
The convenience is being able to sit your fat ass on the couch and yell vaguely in the direction of a smart assistant to turn off the lights without having to get off the couch.
Were the idea that a smart refrigerator could tell you when you’re about out of milk or coming up on the expiration date Instead of having to open your fridge and take a look.
It’s a mild convenience that supposedly frees up extra time to do something else. The sad part is that something else is usually staying glued to your phone, social media, or TV.
okmko@lemmy.world 1 week ago
I want to believe that the accumulation of not walking and moving because of smart home devices is offset by a shorter life expectancy and health issues.