Smart speakers are Double Cross (1996)error prone, leak personally identifiable information, and line the pockets of bad actors like Facebook and Amazon. That said, if the worst person in your life still insists on owning one, the least you can do is buy them an Alexa-jamming device.
Say hello to Alexagate, a new ultrasonic speaker that fits neatly on top of most Alexa-enabled smart speakers. The idea is simple enough: while turned on and placed on top of your device, Alexagate uses "pulsed ultrasound to jam the Echo's microphone."
You clap three times to turn it on, and another three to turn it off.
"It is possible to shout through Alexagate's blocking, but we could only do it from about six inches away, yelling until our throats were hoarse," reads the product's FAQ. "Believe us when we say that the blocking is good."
The device costs $99, and is made by MSCHF — a novelty product company profiled by Business Insider in January — apparently for people too young to remember The Clapper.
There is another, more permanent, way to say "bye bye." Credit: mschf The Alexagate is the latest in an ever-growing line of add-ons meant to protect you from the prying ears of your smart device. The best of which — a bracelet which emits ultrasonic noise to interfere with the microphones common on smart speakers — is meant to be taken with you, but is unfortunately not for sale. Notably, all these privacy-focused devices take as a given that smart speakers are recording users — even when not triggered by wake phrases like "Hey Google" — and represent a fundamental violation of users' privacy.
It's unclear, then, why the simpler, and more effective solution, is not offered for sale: that of a hammer.
SEE ALSO: The secret workforce that does the tedious work of the online economy
True, barring those who rely on smart speakers for accessibility reasons, the out-of-touch people who actually own Echos and Google Homes may take more kindly to an Alexagate gift than you wandering around their home and smashing their invasive electronics.
But hey, a return to some moderate semblance of privacy has to start somewhere — a fact that MSCHF is clearly counting on.
Topics Alexa Amazon Amazon Echo Cybersecurity Privacy
Sunday's Fat Bear Week match pits two fat favorites against each other
Someone renamed NYC's Trump Tower 'Dump Tower' on Google Maps
NASA posts image of an ancient galaxy crowd in the deep, deep cosmos
'Tolkien' is evidence that some people shouldn't get a biopic: Review
Why are TikTok comments suddenly full of religious messages?
How Uber and other digital platforms could trick us using behavioral science – unless we act fast
Facebook adds appointment booking to Facebook and Instagram
Movies and shows to stream Mother's Day weekend 2019
Best smartwatch deal: Save $40 on the Fitbit Versa 4
Stormtroopers will enforce four
Reality Distortion Field: 10 Things Apple Won't Directly Say But We'll Infer About the iPhone X
Google is thinking about a foldable Pixel, but don't expect it soon
Netflix's 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' will get Bandersnatch
Protests in South Korea just keep getting bigger
Best portable power station deal: Save $179.01 on the EcoFlow River 2 Max
Apple could release AirPods 3 later this year. Here's what we know so far.
Facebook gets petulant after co
Netflix's 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' will get Bandersnatch
Razer Kishi V2 deal: Snag one for 50% off
James Cameron responds to 'Avengers: Endgame' beating 'Titanic' record
This tiny dog braved Harvey flooding in his very own bucket boat'Overwatch' director shames a forum troll using the most brutal weapon of all: FactsEd Sheeran won Artist of the Year at the VMAs but didn't know who actually voted for itTropical Storm Harvey causing catastrophic flood disaster in HoustonApple might have finally scheduled the day it will unveil the iPhone 8Download This: Hypno Cam gives your photos a psychedelic makeoverOne deliciously nerdy 'Destiny 2' change will cut down on so much dumb tediumHouston's local businesses pitch in as Harvey's flooding wreaks havocElon Musk shows off the Boring Company's tunnel with a Tesla insideOne deliciously nerdy 'Destiny 2' change will cut down on so much dumb tediumAll the outApple might have finally scheduled the day it will unveil the iPhone 8Ed Skrein exits 'Hellboy' over whitewashing controversy, everyone applauds'Game of Thrones' Season 7 finale smashes ratings recordsGuy sues Showtime because he says stream quality of Mayweather'Smash Bros.' expert playing with upsideHero Texan delivers sixTaylor Swift's 'Look What You Made Me Do' video is hereHBO announces new series about 'Game of Thrones'Jubilite is the colorful lamp getting girls involved in STEM People can't decide if this monkey is cute or if it looks like Lord Voldemort Great Barrier Reef brought to politicians' doorstep in artful protest Huawei teaser image suggests a phone with a 'pinhole' notch This pastor "flew" into his sermon — and it's amazing Gucci and Saint Laurent are working with Apple on in Samsung's Galaxy S10 is shaping up to be extremely feature Facebook documents seized by the UK government could end up being published Woman falls asleep in Uber, gets charged $111 for 35 How a quiet California town fortified itself against today's megafires This person's 45 Unique gifts for your friend that's obsessed with skywatching Amazon doesn't have much to say about its customer data leak Apple must pay up to $14.5 billion in Irish taxes Amnesty International takes aim at Google's censored search engine Acer's new camera lets 8 people play with your pet using their phones NASA's InSight snaps a clear view of Mars' surface Comedian's ultra Everyone Tom Brady looks like with his new haircut A deep dive into Apple's 'sweetheart deal' with Ireland Early 'Aquaman' reactions promise positive showing for DC saga
1.2547s , 10136.3203125 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【Double Cross (1996)】,Defense Information Network