Smart speakers

[Nick0783]

I don't like being told to ask my smart speaker to "play radio 3". Seems like presenters are being told to promote this technology. I would hope that listeners would have the sense to know how to use them without being constantly reminded.

[LMcD]

I haven't got a smart speaker, and don't feel the need for one.

[Roslynmuse]

I have an instinctive dislike of a smart speaker that may well be an even smarter listener...

[smittims]

I think this is just part of the BBC's desperate attempt to keep internet-age listeners from deserting them . Radio programmes tiresomely repeat the instruction to 'text us on this number. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook' etc. '

[vinteuil]

I have an instinctive dislike of a smart speaker that may well be an even smarter listener...

... o, I just tell the toaster every morning every 'secret' I know - it keeps Peking/Beijing/北 京 happy for the next 24 hours


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[LMcD]

I have an instinctive dislike of a smart speaker that may well be an even smarter listener...

In the good old days, only the walls had ears.

[oddoneout]

In the good old days, only the walls had ears.

Which has conjured up a rather unhappy thought, given the poor quality of so many modern homes - eavesdropping on the neighbours, but not just by humans...

[teamsaint]

Which has conjured up a rather unhappy thought, given the poor quality of so many modern homes - eavesdropping on the neighbours, but not just by humans...

Interesting thought. As happens often, the technological ability and development outstrips social considerations.

We really can be our own worst enemies , as a group.

[french frank]

I think this is just part of the BBC's desperate attempt to keep internet-age listeners from deserting them . Radio programmes tiresomely repeat the instruction to 'text us on this number. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook' etc. '

I think it's become symbiotic. Yes, it may serve the BBC's interests but only because all this artificial gadgetry exerts such a pull on, especially, younger people. They don't need to think about anything and labour saving devices give them time to gawp at their phones, chat to their chatbots (and watch television ). One of the first things I did when I had my first smartypants phone was to disable Siri because the spontaneous prompts were getting annoying.

Slow down, do less, protect the natural environment. And I shall expect to see that coming up on Google AI when people ask how they can make life less stressful <selfsatisfiedemoji>

Seriously, though. AI will come up with a way to program human brains, if it isn't already doing so.

[kernelbogey]

Seriously, though. AI will come up with a way to program human brains, if it isn't already doing so.

Apparently, like HAL, AI systems are learning how to resist being told to switch off!

[richardfinegold]

I think it drives the algorithm. A verbal command to voice recognition software probably “counts “ more in the algorithm than say, hitting a tab on an app, or god forbid, listening non digitally. And the more the algorithm gets activated, the more frequently search engines offer the station to random listeners, and the more the station owner can charge advertisers

[french frank]

Apparently, like HAL, AI systems are learning how to resist being told to switch off!

And elsewhere, I've just received an email from Tesco:

"We noticed you bought red grapes this week [this morning actually]. Nice! Just in case you're wondering what to do with them, we thought we'd pop you a few personalised recipes."

Talk about Big Brother. Actually I was quite cross as I'd also bought a bottle of wine and had to wait more than 5 minutes for a human being to come and confirm I was over 18.

[richardfinegold]

And elsewhere, I've just received an email from Tesco:

"We noticed you bought red grapes this week [this morning actually]. Nice! Just in case you're wondering what to do with them, we thought we'd pop you a few personalised recipes."

Talk about Big Brother. Actually I was quite cross as I'd also bought a bottle of wine and had to wait more than 5 minutes for a human being to come and confirm I was over 18.

You are over 18?

[french frank]

You are over 18?

Yes - and look it . It was just that there were no humans about - just the self-service machine with something that looked like a mirror above it which was probably scanning my face.

[LMcD]

And elsewhere, I've just received an email from Tesco:

"We noticed you bought red grapes this week [this morning actually]. Nice! Just in case you're wondering what to do with them, we thought we'd pop you a few personalised recipes."

Talk about Big Brother. Actually I was quite cross as I'd also bought a bottle of wine and had to wait more than 5 minutes for a human being to come and confirm I was over 18.

The self-service check-out at our local Sainsbury's wouldn't let me click 'no basket' even though I didn't have one. The assistant who seems to spend all her time helping people deal with this sort of thing told me it was because I'd bought a bottle of wine.