Bad Vibrations From Internet Of Things, Voice As The Next Navigation And More On This Week's CTRL ALT Delete Segment On CHOM 97.7 FM
Every Monday morning at 7:10 am, I am a guest contributor on CHOM 97.7 FM radio out of Montreal (home base). It’s not a long segment – about 5 to 10 minutes every week – about everything that is happening in the world of technology and digital media. The good folks at CHOM 97.7 FM are posting these segments weekly on iHeart Radio, if you’re interested in hearing more of me blathering away about what’s going on in the digital world. I’m really excited about this opportunity, because this is the radio station that I grew up on listening to, and it really is a fun treat to be invited to the Mornings Rock with Terry DiMonte morning show. The segment is called, CTRL ALT Delete with Mitch Joel.
This week we discussed:
The Internet of Things is really happening. It’s a place where anything that you can plug into a wall socket (or that generates electricity) can be connected to the Internet. Think of the Nest thermostat or the countless devices that let us control our lights, televisions and more through our smartphones. Don’t think that the adult lovemaking toys are any different. Yup, those vibrating little do-dads can also be powered and connected. So, two anonymous women who alleged an Ottawa sex toy company was collecting real-time data on their use of an Internet-connected vibrator without their consent have reached a $3.75 million settlement. This takes tracking ourselves to a whole other level… and, of course the privacy issues that come along with it.
Your data and your safety in a world where everything (and everyone) is connected and tracking one another.
Voice will be the primary way that we navigate and control all of our devices. Think of Apple‘s Siri, Microsoft‘s Cortana and the massive growth that we’re seeing with Amazon‘s Alexa platform. Now, Alexa is coming to the iPhone. Inside of the Amazon App for iOS, there will be a microphone icon near the top of the screen that you can press to call up Alexa. You’ll be able to ask the assistant almost anything you can ask through a device like the Echo. That includes being able to make purchases, look up facts and control smart home products. Amazon says the feature was rolled out last, and should be available to all US users by this week. Let’s hope that it rolls out in Canada soon. Voice is the future of how we navigate technology.