Top 5 reasons not to buy a smart speaker

Thinking about getting a smart speaker like the Amazon Echo or upcoming Apple HomePod? You might want to think again.

[suxbuday]

The title has an error in it. Should read:
"Top 5 Reasons Why You Weren't Going To Buy a Smart Speaker Anyway, but Still Need to Hear for Validation"

[elliottkillian]

Who will listen to my conversations? Without a smart speaker I'm just talking to myself.

[mikewolf]

I definitely agree with number 4. I can see how purchasing a smart speaker can lead to a slippery slope of buying more and more smart home devices. Heck, I can think of at least 20 items that I'd replace with smart home iterations if I had unlimited funds, and I don't even have a Google Home yet!

[Bairdjacob]

#4 is so true. I started with just $30 for a Google home mini. Since then I've automated all my lights and televisions, set speakers up throughout my entire house, and have a few outlets. I've only spent around $750 though over the last two years. One item was a cast enabled sound bar that cost like $350 though, which I would have bought either way. So, $400 isn't bad I don't think.

[namhoang]

For the "youre paranoid" reason, how do you think your google assistant and siri open up when you say "hey siri/google", for the "money" reason, I bought a google home mini for 25$, for the "its still awkward" I find the google home is very good at listening, for the "bluetooth speaker" google home mini has bluetooth and it can work as a bluetooth speaker, for the "phone" reason its much more convinience to be able to just ask and get a quick reply right away

[elexceer]

Why is he talking about me? I'm not paranoid

[NEZ_]

CNET..

I hope the speakers have a good grip at the bottom..

I dont wanna keep knocking the speakers over everytime I want to turn the volume up or mute the speakers..

[gcforreal]

Those are the exact reasons I see no need for a smart speaker. My phone can control most smart home. Functions and I can stream music to my Bluetooth soundbar just fine without one.

[robba]

Yes Bluetooth speakers are cheap (unless you need to drop better than $300 on apples offer, with Siri ) but unless you are looking at smart devices, to control why by home assistant at all, its on your phone?

[Stumblinn]

I don't do videos myself but it I was going to do one, it would be something like "The Top 5 Ways That A Smart Speaker Can Assist Those Of Us Who Are Disabled." I am not concerned about the always listening feature of Alexa - I just turn usually mute Alexa when I am watching a video about Alexa so that she doesn't keep triggering each time the person in the video addresses their Alexa device. I have also turned off voice ordering in the app so that there is no chance of Alexa doing an order for something I don't want because she misheard something. Using those two simple precautions has kept me from having any problems with, while still being able to use the benefits of, an always listening device. I am very grateful to Amazon and all those who have taken time to develop skills for Alexa since both my partner and I are disabled and she not only makes our life easier but also safer as can also function as an "I've fallen and can't get up" device.

[brothersgalore]

thank you man, you just did a true public service. you deserve a prize

[kimtran]

Hi all, go and check the speaker BBX1 . this looks great. I watched the videos and compare to the one described here, it has a touchscreen. To find the videos look for : speaker BBX1 . title of the video is in French, but the demo is easy to understand

[Roaryer]

As that paranoid guy, I found that final line hilarious.

[hollywood]

How did he know I like yelling at tech😱

[poopypantsdiggity]

Maybe if your hands dont work but smart phones do everything and more.

[thebigdoghimself]

I am saying that the echo has problems hearing.

[raymond]

whatever happened to listening to music via your home stereo system?? I've never understood this follow the leader crap that social media is. Oh well, i guess for some, it is required. Enjoy your day folks.

[SuaveLlaveBlog]

maybe i want the person spying me to hear me? I'm so lonely.

[MrDan]

I just got an amazon dot ( Amazon refurbished for 37). I am using it daily.

[DesignTechie]

I went to school for design it’s pretty tounge and cheek when u are just a person vs a machine trying to work together on a common goal so yelling at tech is pretty normal to me