Got a song stuck in your head, but can’t figure out the title? Here’s how your tech can figure it out, in 60 seconds.
Free privacy tool: See what your CAR collects about you
A new car has over 1,400 microchips and runs on 100 million lines of code. Because it is connected, it can also collect a lot of data about you.
Your car is like your phone, computer or tablet now — always listening. What is your vehicle collecting? Way more than we’d all like to think.
Your car is so nosey
The Vehicle Privacy Report is put out by a company called Privacy4Cars. They delete synched personal data from used cars before they’re resold — which is how carmakers comply with privacy laws and make money. But they offer tools for consumers, too.
One is a free privacy tool you can use. Your car’s maker might collect:
- Your name, address, email address, driver’s license number and other details.
- Location data that shows where you are and where you went.
- Biometrics collected by your car’s microphone and camera.
- Voice recordings collected by your car’s voice assistant.
- Data synched from your connected devices, like call records, text messages or contacts.
You’ll also see who your information is shared with — think insurance companies, the government and data brokers.
Go here to enter your car’s VIN. Depending on your car’s make and model, it can be pretty shocking.
One of my team members drives a Hyundai
Vehicle Privacy Report returned a rundown of the car. Hyundai collects information to predict your “preferences, characteristics, predispositions, behavior, attitudes, or similar behavioral information.” Uh, OK.
The carmaker shares and sells that info to its parent companies, subsidiaries, sister companies and service providers. That includes analytics partners, advertising agencies and social networks. Sheesh.
How to tell Alexa to delete what you say
There’s no denying it: Alexa is listening to you all the time. Every day, thousands of Amazon employees around the world analyze audio clips from users like you. Sometimes, they pick up private and personal audio.
Tap or click here to find out what your Amazon Echo can discover about your life by listening in. (Hint: It’s a lot.) Luckily, we know a trick you can use to wipe the slate clean every day.
Genius! 7 must-try voice commands to use with Siri and Google Assistant
A voice assistant is like your own genie: Your wish is its command. For example, you can use it to open navigation apps while you drive. This way, you’re keeping both hands on the wheel and focusing on the road instead of your screen.
Digital assistant driving you nuts? How to get Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant to pipe down
Digital assistants are helpful gadgets to have around the house and on the go. They can help you with the weather, the traffic on the road, daily reminders, music suggestions, morning routines and more.
More vehicles are equipped with technology to better sync your phone to your cars, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This also makes it easier to use your voice assistant on the road. While this can be useful, what’s the legality of talking to your phone’s smart assistant while driving? Tap or click here to find out.
These words trigger Siri, Alexa and Google Home
Did you know your voice assistant is always listening in? Here’s how you can wake them up on accident, in 60 seconds.
Say what? You won't believe the dangerous thing Alexa told a young girl to do
Smart assistants are constantly evolving to offer more features and uses. They can help you keep a schedule, set the mood for movie night, remind you to pick up the kids or even watch out for intruders.
Some features recently added to Amazon Echo devices include sound detection for running water and appliances, along with occupancy routines. As useful as they can be, smart assistants like Alexa can also be intrusive to your privacy.
Alexa has a new trick to answer your questions you'll love (or hate)
Alexa is already smart, but Amazon engineers want to take it even further. They’re tweaking the voice assistant’s algorithm to predict what users will say before they have a chance to speak.
Soon, Alexa may even be able to guess items you want to order before you’ve thought of it. Tap or click here for even more clever uses for your Amazon Echo.
Oh, Alexa, I'm going to hurt.' Echo records woman's pleas for help before dying of coronavirus
COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, causes several symptoms that can be distressing for patients. Many have reported being unable to take a full breath, along with burning fevers and tightness in the chest.
Hey Siri:' 10 tips to take your productivity to the next level
Siri has been around for more than a decade and it’s evolved into a solid voice assistant. This AI is quick to answer your questions and tell you jokes, but did you know it’s capable of answering more than just, “What’s the weather like today?”