Alexagate It is the name of a curious device designed for some models of Amazon smart speakers to improve user privacy. How do they do it? Well, preventing him from listening 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Of course without losing the functionality and advantages of not having to physically interact with the device. Because if that were the case, it would lose its grace. We will tell you more details below.
Alexagate, increase the privacy of Alexa
One of the main criticisms of Alexa and practically all other voice assistants is the issue related to user privacy. These devices you will already know that they are actively listening 24 hours a day and seven days a week. They do this to be able to respond to your requests when you need it.
That is, they are on alert all the time waiting for that word that activates them. Or what is the same, the already classic "Alexa", "Hey Siri" or "Ok, Google". The problem is that on some occasions there have been controversies because these previous records have been stored instead of being deleted. Therefore, the users most concerned about their privacy reject the use of any smart speaker inside the home.
Alexagate wants to turn the situation around and in the event that you use the Amazon Echo (some models, because it is not compatible for all) do it with complete confidence and without losing the possibility of interacting with it without having to physically touch it . Because you already know that the Amazon Echo includes a button to mute (Mute) the microphone, but when you want to use its functions you would have to press it to activate it and then again to deactivate it.
With this device developed by MSCHF, what you do is place the Amazon Echo up to third generation and Echo Plus a kind of little hat that cancels any outside sound through the use of ultrasound. So the only way to activate Alexa is by using three claps or the physical press of a button.
This means that you can not worry about listening to the assistant, because until you clap three times or touch it, Alexa is as if she were deaf. Therefore, if you want to turn on the lights in the room, you would have to triple tap your palms and then say “Alexa, turn on the lights in the room” and that's it.
Alexagate, a plus in security for 99 dollars
Alexagate, as you have seen in the images, is a kind of hat made in yellow that sits on top of the speaker. A design that does not make the product ugly at all, but that does detract from a certain level of attractiveness. Although it still allows you to see the light code of colors with which to receive information visual.
Here you have to assess what interests you the most, whether to lose part of the aesthetic for greater privacy or keep it at the risk of such eavesdropping. However, there are ways to ensure the deletion of everything that Alexa listens to and sends to its servers to improve actions such as voice recognition or the proactive and natural conversation that is still sought as a great objective.
The price of Alexagate is 99 dollars, so you will also have to take into account to what extent it is worth it. Because looking at the prices of the Amazon Echo, sometimes it costs more to pay for the collar than for the dog. Or put another way, how could an accessory cost more than the device itself for which it is intended?