Amazon enables free calls and messages on all Echo devices with Alexa Calling

Re:Amazon enables free calls and messages on all Echo device... by mikeash on Tuesday May 09, 2017 @05:09PM (#14303835)

I really don't understand this anger. I can't imagine using it either, but it's optional and off by default. If people like it, why shouldn't they have it? If they don't, they won't use it.

I don't think the spying concerns are reasonable. If somebody wants to spy on somebody, there are already plenty of ways to do it. Why require that developers buy an expensive Amazon widget when you could require that they buy a $40 webcam, or better yet just say "if you don't answer the phone whenever I call you during working hours, you'd better be dead or in jail, or else you're fired."

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Re:Amazon enables free calls and messages on all Echo device... by FullMtlAlcoholc on Wednesday May 10, 2017 @08:44AM (#14307714)

> If people like it, why shouldn't they have it?

It may become the norm that even though it's still optional, society moves in a direction where people have it on by default, and you are met with confused/dissapointed faces when you explain it is uncomfortable. Or it simply becomes a cultural norm in the professional world

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Re:Amazon enables free calls and messages on all Echo device... by mikeash on Wednesday May 10, 2017 @10:43AM (#14308567)

I don't see why it would change anything in that respect. Like I said, you can already achieve this without Amazon's fancy new box by saying, "Answer your phone when I call or you're fired."

[ Parent | on HN ]