Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 9:29AM We put signs up around our businesses when we have video surveillance shouldn't we do the same thing in our homes if you have voice activated devices to warn visitors of their presence? Here is an interesting article that caught Rick Osterloh a little off guard when asked if Home Owners should warn about these devices in their homes. He said that he does… sure.
Friday, June 9, 2017 at 10:52AM 
Here is a quick overview of the three major products that are in the market today, Apple (HomePod), Google (Google Home) or Amazon's (Amazon Echo). Which one of these out performs the other? What other considerations should you be thinking about? Take a look at this article and see if this helps you to decide.
Me, I have already made my commitment to the Echo line of products. Each of the different product lines have their different pro's that might make you lean towards that product. If all you are looking for is good sound for your music, I would probably stick with none of these and jump back to Sonos. It has the widest flexibility but will make the biggest dent in your pocketbook. If you are looking for the add-on apps to make the unit a true assistant, then the Echo is probably the product you should be looking at. If you are heavily into Google products and apps then it might be Google Home. Lot's of things to consider.
Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 8:38AM Here is a great discussion of whether you should be concerned with Amazon Alexa and Google Home
See the Naked Security article here.
The article addresses the following topics:
Friday, February 3, 2017 at 9:28AM Patrick Spence, Sonos new CEO, has a new mission: Keep Sonos alive in the face of the innovative disruption from the rest of the industry. Amazon’s Alexa and now Google’s Home Products are part of this competition invading the networked speaker environment. Sonos is a manufacturer of home speaker systems that have their own unique connectivity. Instead of embracing standards they have stood alone with their products not interfacing with other manufacturers products.
The Alexa is a good example of this type of device providing more than just sound, but services as well to access information or purchasing merchandise. Integrating this product with internet programming like IFTTT provides an extension to personalize its services.
So if Patrick Spence gets his way, Sonos will be connecting to these other devices that are exploding onto the market. I hope so.
http://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2016/8/30/12709452/sonos-amazon-alexa-announced
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/10/business/sonos-john-macfarlane-ceo.html?_r=0
Friday, February 3, 2017 at 7:54AM Alex is one of those neat devices that if you pay attention to the enormous number of skills that are being attached to it everyday can help to add a lot of enjoyment in your home or office. Yesterday I ran across this article in engadget that discusses a new skill you can add to your Alex Tap, Dot, Fire TV or newer model Fire tablets. Below is a video on how it all works:
