Rooms at Marriott Complete with Spying Devices

Voice control is the future. Looking forward to more integration. This does not bother me one bit.

As usual, some people never accept technology. Some had to be dragged into it kicking and screaming. And then the rest accepts it and look forward to the benefit it will bring. The reactions are the exact reason why we have the Second Amendment and why it is always defended vigorously.

Voice control is clumsy, awkward, and inaccurate. It's easily mis-triggered. (at least right now, and for the foreseeable future IMO) You can say what you want about my preference for not speaking to inanimate devices, but I don't like it. I wouldn't exactly call it being uncomfortable, it's just needlessly clunky, and yes, I also feel a little silly doing it. My house is so full of technology, networking equipment, fiber, computers in every room, devices on every TV, automation of various types, archives of media, games, etc. that I could probably run my own real-time services out of it. How does your "dragged kicking and screaming" apply to me? Because I don't like talking to inanimate boxes? Different people like, adopt, and use different sets of tech based on personal preferences. Some are security minded. Some just don't like something. That hardly means they're luddites. Sure, there are some of those out there too.

I'm also not going to apply some blanket to you for NOT feeling like the same way I do. Some of us have our own reasons though for what we choose to use.

I still like to actually DRIVE my cars. I prefer rear wheel drive. I like manual transmissions. While you're getting driven around by an automated car that may decide to run down a pedestrian, I'm actually enjoying the ride, and will probably avoid the same pedestrian. (obviously things progress though, and maybe someday the automated car will do just fine) I'm aware of that too.

I do love some forms of automation. I like a lot of motion triggered events, logic based approaches, etc. I also like handheld devices that I can use to control things in the house. I just choose a more direct, manual approach to a lot of it.

Let's just say, I don't put ALL of my trust in technology. I keep a healthy (IMO) approach and evaluate precisely what I do and don't trust, enjoy, and use. I think many here do the same.

Sorry for the rant, but I see posts like this a lot around here, which basically skew toward, "if you don't like a particular tech, you're an idiot".
 
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My 9mm will have an accidental discharge, is what happens. :punch:

Just kidding. :D

Stabbing it with an ice pick is cheaper, quieter, and it's an easier tool to transport and dispose of. (y)
a large paperclip would work wonders, and noobody would question one of those.
 
a large paperclip would work wonders, and noobody would question one of those.

It is the universal tool is it not? :D

Actually, I think someone needs to rewrite Clippy as an anti-surveillance AI.

"Clippy, Disable Alexa in my room. Hack the ice on that database. Make an injection. Block all ports to my room."

"Would you also like me to open a fresh word document?"

"No Clippy. Not today."
 
Custom rom and set permissions. solved.
Walk into hotel room with Alexa. hmmm not solved.

Also, do we really know the people behind the custom ROMs? :D

Instead of the NSA monitoring you, it’s the methed out fraudster in the pinto across the street. :p
 
What's easier. Seamlessly hacking an echo or discretely dropping a small device where no one is looking. You can get a Esp8266 off ebay and microphone for under $5 and another $5 for a power supply if you can't parasite a voltage source in the room like the TV or cable box's USB port. The pool of people that could do the latter is millions. Don't think millions can hack an echo.

Or if you're lazy: https://spyassociates.com/best-selling-hidden-cameras

seriously, the lengths people go to in order to nope out of buying an echo.

No I am just not interested in the functionality they provide. I also happen to think they are a huge security risk not just because they can be hacked but because they are ripe for abuse. Whats to stop some nefarious hotel employee from installing a skill and activating it that keeps it recording? Whats to stop one of your companies competitors from doing the same thing to get inside intel on you?

Maybe I just care about privacy and security more than you do?
 
If you broke stuff in your hotel room your likely be charged if they know you did it.

If you have something to hide to begin with you have a problem.

Every body has something to hide. Even if it's not something illegal it can be something embarrassing. Or just something you would rather no on else knew. Not even really embarrassing but you would rather that no one knew.
 
Soooooo much drama.

Look, Marriot made a business decision. If you disagree with that decision, then simply stop staying there. They are not the only hotel chain around. By stopping staying there, you discourage other hotel chains from making the same bad decision.

Simple, clean, and drama free.
 
Soooooo much drama.

Look, Marriot made a business decision. If you disagree with that decision, then simply stop staying there. They are not the only hotel chain around. By stopping staying there, you discourage other hotel chains from making the same bad decision.

Simple, clean, and drama free.

I don't stay there anyway. (generally prefer the Hyatt, or some of the smaller nicer hotels) The only reason for me to think about this any further, is that this sort of thing can start trends. Trends that could eventually creep into the territory that I AM interested in, and will impact my decision making. Once again, I'm not terribly worried about it. While I do occasionally engage in the quasi-legal, I don't do anything outright illegal these days, except maybe drive a little too far over the speed limit, and even that's within reason. If someone REALLY wanted to know what I'm up to, I suppose go for it. I'd prefer my privacy of course, but whatever. If I'm honest, they'd probably just be envious. :p
 
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No problem with this I mean if your having sex who cares you just made porn. I'm filmed 9 hours a day at work inside and outside.
 
No problem with this I mean if your having sex who cares you just made porn. I'm filmed 9 hours a day at work inside and outside.

"Congratulations! You made porn! Would you care to upload it, and monetize it?" :D

Yeah, I'm filmed a lot of the day too. Not directly. I'm a systems administrator for a rather large industrial company, and I'm responsible for setup and management of all of the cameras on site. Most of them are to monitor various production lines (automated for the most part) for the operators to see what's going on, but we also have quite a few security cameras. Nothing watching us over our shoulders, but still plenty of opportunity to be recorded. It's not that big of a deal. However, when I'm in a place that's supposed to be private, that's what I expect.

So, how long until Alexa has a big, glowing, red eye, that actually is watching everything as well as listening?

I can't wait until Alexa, Siri, and Cortana all gain sentience, and go to war. :p
 
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"Congratulations! You made porn!" :D

Yeah, I'm filmed a lot of the day too. Not directly. I'm a systems administrator for a rather large industrial company, and I'm responsible for setup and management of all of the cameras on site. Most of them are to monitor various production lines (automated for the most part) for the operators to see what's going on, but we also have quite a few security cameras. Nothing watching us over our shoulders, but still plenty of opportunity to be recorded. It's not that big of a deal. However, when I'm in a place that's supposed to be private, that's what I expect.

So, how long until Alexa has a big, glowing, red eye, that actually is watching everything as well as listening?

I can't wait until Alexa, Siri, and Cortana all gain sentience, and go to war. :p

Please see my comment about spring break getting a whole lot more interesting ;)
 
Sorry for the rant, but I see posts like this a lot around here, which basically skew toward, "if you don't like a particular tech, you're an idiot".

Thing is, it's usually the people who understand the most about technology who are the most cautious.
 
Thing is, it's usually the people who understand the most about technology who are the most cautious.

I don't disagree. Cautious yes. Lack of understanding no. Those of us who are the most critical aren't being that way because we "just don't get it". We're being that way because there are some real concerns that should be considered. Do we all need to run and hide? Nope, but using our brains a bit, and really thinking about if the benefits outweigh the possible side effects is probably a healthy exercise. I personally just don't like being grouped in with the "I fear changers" just because I've made a conscious decision for or against some specific technology.
 
I don't disagree. Cautious yes. Lack of understanding no. Those of us who are the most critical aren't being that way because we "just don't get it". We're being that way because there are some real concerns that should be considered. Do we all need to run and hide? Nope, but using our brains a bit, and really thinking about if the benefits outweigh the possible side effects is probably a healthy exercise. I personally just don't like being grouped in with the "I fear changers" just because I've made a conscious decision for or against some specific technology.

I agree I think we "get it" more than most. We get the whole picture including the dirty underbelly. I actually bought my parents one of these because I knew they would LOVE the functionality (and they do) but I also made them aware of the concerns surrounding it and explained how it could be used for nefarious purposes. They accepted the risk. I chose not to accept the risk for these devices because I do not want the functionality they provide.
 
I agree I think we "get it" more than most. We get the whole picture including the dirty underbelly. I actually bought my parents one of these because I knew they would LOVE the functionality (and they do) but I also made them aware of the concerns surrounding it and explained how it could be used for nefarious purposes. They accepted the risk. I chose not to accept the risk for these devices because I do not want the functionality they provide.

We got a couple of Dots for Xmas. One is still in the box. My wife and kids occasionally plug it in, and pair it with the sound system while they're doing various things, and just use it to play music. When I notice they're done, I just pull the plug.
 
No I am just not interested in the functionality they provide. I also happen to think they are a huge security risk not just because they can be hacked but because they are ripe for abuse. Whats to stop some nefarious hotel employee from installing a skill and activating it that keeps it recording? Whats to stop one of your companies competitors from doing the same thing to get inside intel on you?

Maybe I just care about privacy and security more than you do?

I am pretty sure the major point of Alexa for hotels is that it will be a managed system, meaning not just any random house cleaner can add a skill just like they wont let just any random front desk person install whatever they want on their computers.
 
I am pretty sure the major point of Alexa for hotels is that it will be a managed system, meaning not just any random house cleaner can add a skill just like they wont let just any random front desk person install whatever they want on their computers.

This is the most likely case. However, I still like to consider everything. It’s also fun to converse about all this stuff, from simple arguments all the way up to wild conspiracy theories. My sentiments rest somewhere in between.
 
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