Smart home speakers are driven by intelligent voice assistants. Amazon Echo has Alexa whose skill count now reaches 15,000. Google Home has Google Assistant who users can throw any question at and get an answer in an instant, thanks to Google. Apple HomePod has Siri, every hustler's right hand.
All of them are activated by a catchphrase. Once triggered, voice data is stored to improve suggestions of the voice assistant in the future. Despite the promise of device manufacturers to keep voice data private, this technology poses security risks on both the user and the company. Hackers can breach and mine private information and could be taken against them.
Amazon and Google use strict encryption so completed commands are kept safe. Users also have the option to remove voice data once one wishes to. The HomePod is hyped to have a more secure system than the existing home speakers. While Google and Amazon connects a user's account with the voice data, Apple uses a random set of numbers to associate voice data, and these numbers will be deleted every six months.
In the circumstance that the government needs data, Amazon and Google have it in store despite the user deleting it. Apple, on the other hand, would not have it already since it is using a random number. In a nutshell, Amazon and Google store voice data forever, while Apple gets rid of it.
While Apple has not yet released the device, HomePod is expected to work with the manufacturer's services to include Apple Music and other apps and HomeKit smart home product.
Google Home activates with "OK, Google" and "Hey, Google". In terms of data collection, Google Home users have the option to restrict some permissions. Google Home is supported by a long list of favourite services such as Netflix, Spotify, YouTube, TuneIn Radio, Google Play Music, and Food Network, among many others. Some of the smart devices it can connect to include Chromecast, Chromecast Audio, Next Learning Thermostat, SmartThings, and more.
Amazon Echo wakes up to the catchphrase "Hey, Alexa". Amazon Echo and its siblings Echo Dot and Echo Show are supported by unbelievably many smart thermostats and other intelligent home devices like Philipps Hue led lighting. Just last week, it was revealed that voice assistant Alexa has already reached over 15,000 skills. Some of the widely-used supports include Pandora, Uber, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and a lot more.
