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by mkal_tsr 4151 days ago
> including a fraction of a second of audio before the wake word.

Interesting that they are able to transmit audio-data that occurred prior to the wake word being said (in essence to transmit the wake word). Looks like Amazon is keen to redefine "collected" just like other groups are...
1 comments
ars 4151 days ago
Why is that interesting? It's quite simple since the device is always listening locally, and just storing a second of audio in a buffer.

It's not "collected" since it only has 1 second of audio until it wakes up.

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mkal_tsr 4150 days ago
Because every time Amazon echo comes up, people always rush it "don't worry guys, it's not actually recording anything until it has to send to the cloud" and by Amazon's own admission, that's patently false.
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ars 4149 days ago
Um, no, that's patently true.

Unless you are talking about the half second before the trigger word? But even then - it only sends when triggered.

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mkal_tsr 4149 days ago
I am indeed talking about the 1/2 second before. Even if it's 0.00001 seconds before the trigger word (I feel dirty saying that phrase), it's the technicality that I'm discussing. Once we allow those technicalities to slide, the truth is easier to bend and/or ignore. Reinforcing that PR/marketing is not an acceptable excuse to lie (even if it's a minor technical lie) is one of the few ways to prevent this sort of subtle-switcheroo.
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ars 4149 days ago
> I am indeed talking about the 1/2 second before.

Then you are alone in this. Even amongst technological people, never mind the general public. This amount of time is perfectly reasonable.

> Once we allow those technicalities to slide, the truth is easier to bend and/or ignore.

No it doesn't. Slippery slope might be a valid argument in some places, but not here. You are overreacting.

> to prevent this sort of subtle-switcheroo.

There is no subtle switcheroo.

It's very very simple: It only sends audio when commanded to. That is the essence of the difference, and it's all that matters.

And don't tell me "next they'll send 1 hour of audio when triggered" because they won't. You are being ridiculous if you think that's where it's headed.

Taking outrageous positions like this just makes people ignore you.

> the trigger word (I feel dirty saying that phrase)

? Why? Does it have some special meaning I am not aware of?

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