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Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate, Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker (Fred Griffin Real Estate)

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Rainmaker
1,027,602
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

I have had an Echo for about a year and love it...I use her to play whatever music I am in the mood for, check the weather forecast, ask trivia questions, do a meditation minute when I feel one is necessary, set alarms to remind me to get up and do something, the list goes on. In theory, she could turn on the tv and the lights, but we haven't installed the smart outlets yet.  (Santa brought those along with an Echo for my husband).  

I read an article yesterday where Amazon has been asked for the transcripts from an Echo in relation to a murder trial;  it is believed that while Alexa only responds when you call her name, that she could be recording every conversation you have in front of her, which is then sent to the cloud.  

All I can say is, I haven't plotted any murders in front of her, so hopefully I'm safe. 

Jan 06, 2017 12:42 PM
Rainmaker
564,494
Maria Sapio
Keller Williams of Central PA - Carlisle, PA
Real Estate Agent- Carlisle, PA. Mariasapio.com

I received one for Cmas - so far I've asked Alexa to put items on my shopping list, tell me the weather, set reminders, and play music.  

Jan 06, 2017 02:18 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Fred Griffin my wife got ALEXA - and now asking to subscribe to spotify premium account!

Going through that initial hiccups - lets see how it works.

Jan 06, 2017 12:26 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Bunch of people here got it for Xmas. I'm sure they will be able to tell you. I think it will be like Hal soon. He'll start telling you what to do & what not to eat everyday.

Jan 06, 2017 12:03 PM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I don't use them.  Not sure I want someone listening in to all of my conversations.

Jan 06, 2017 05:16 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I do not...

Jan 06, 2017 04:25 PM
Rainmaker
2,817,671
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

I don't have one, but my brother does and loves it.

If you do buy one, I'd love if you use my amazon affiliate link (just go to any blog post of mine and it's in the footer).  It won't cost you any extra, but if you buy within 24 hrs of clicking it, I get a small commission.

Jan 06, 2017 03:03 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

There is so much hype about this lately. I do not see myself needing this tech tool. 

Jan 06, 2017 03:03 PM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

They sound like great gadgets that might actually be useful and effective. There is a security concern, as with most things these days. Look forward to comments from users.

Jan 06, 2017 02:12 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Fred Griffin Sounds like Siri or Cortana in a tube. I would be concerned about privacy issues.

Jan 06, 2017 01:14 PM
Ambassador
2,061,814
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

I gave a number of Amazon Echo Dot's (a smaller version of Alexa) which only runs about $39-$49.00

They seem to be enjoying it... I have no idea what the benefits are.

Jan 06, 2017 11:53 AM
Rainmaker
1,955,212
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Darn, I was looking to see the answers. Yesterday I learned a lot about Apple watches.  I will check back!

Jan 06, 2017 11:41 AM
Rainmaker
2,220,648
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

No

Jan 07, 2017 06:18 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

We do not

Jan 07, 2017 05:32 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I have not, i have seen them in use and wondered the same. Not sure if it is for me

Jan 07, 2017 05:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

I have not used these products.

Jan 06, 2017 11:48 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

 I would like to see them become a little more evolved before I invest in such a object ..

Jan 06, 2017 11:27 PM
Rainmaker
599,274
Nathan Gesner
American West Realty and Management - Cody, WY
Broker / Property Manager

I haven't used one. I suppose they have a purpose but I don't want a live microphone in my house.

Jan 06, 2017 09:32 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I personally haven't tried this yet, but I'm intrigued by it. I had to read the other answers to see what people were saying. Susan Haughton should get a kickback for her comment. She now has me even more interested. 

Jan 06, 2017 07:29 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I like it but still unsure of Amazon, Google, or Apple in making a choice.

Jan 06, 2017 06:46 PM
Ambassador
3,383,334
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

These devices are great conveniences, but it can hear you and access the internet.  I doubt people are really thinking about them being hacked and folks being able to spy on people.  

Would never use one.

Jan 06, 2017 06:22 PM
Ambassador
6,393,404
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Much of this can be accomplished for free with "Okay Google".

Jan 06, 2017 05:47 PM
Rainmaker
5,005,648
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

I do not. I use Siri and agree with Ron and Alexandra Seigel comment.

Jan 06, 2017 05:46 PM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

No we have not used it

Jan 06, 2017 05:42 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

No.

Jan 06, 2017 04:55 PM
Rainmaker
292,685
Jack Lewitz
Exit Strategy Realty - Evanston, IL

Remember what happened to Hal ? Y

Jan 06, 2017 04:05 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Fred,

We can do that with Siri.  I am not crazy about the fact that the conversations are recorded as Susan Haughton stated.  Neither one of us is planning any nefarious activities, however some conversations may be misconstrued and taken out of context. A

Jan 06, 2017 02:10 PM
Rainmaker
1,045,440
Dave Martin (703) 585-4687
Fairfax Realty - Fairfax, VA
Making Realty Dreams a Reality #WeWillGetYouHome

I do not and really don't think I have the need for these devices... BTW recently read an article that indicates these devices are ALWAYS listening and recording.. the recording was used against someone in court

Jan 30, 2018 12:14 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

I've never used it.  I'm still trying to get used to Siri!

Jan 08, 2017 11:15 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Between TVs and phones that montior everything you say, what's one more device?

Jan 07, 2017 08:30 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I do not use it.  

Jan 07, 2017 10:25 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I don't have one..... I'm sure I'll be the last to get one....

Jan 07, 2017 09:27 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

No, but one of my brothers just posted on fb that he thinks Alexa is excellent. Here is his fb post in his own words.

"Alexa (by Amazon) is awesome. So far just music, news flashes, alarms, calendars, and Uber - but it's entertaining so far."

Jan 07, 2017 08:42 AM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

I do not and we will not be using it either -

Talking to my husband "Hey hon, I want a new couch"

My husband - "Let's wait for presidents day sales"

2 days later doorbell rings - "Delivery... Couch from Amazon"!

Not gonna happen LOL

Jan 07, 2017 07:25 AM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

I have not bought one YET

Jan 07, 2017 07:12 AM
Rainmaker
864,658
Les & Sarah Oswald
Realty One Group - Eastvale, CA
Broker, Realtor and Investor

I don't have one. Still learning how to build my relationship with Siri. I know I am usually a zillion year behind everyone else.

 

Jan 07, 2017 06:57 AM
Rainmaker
280,599
Jeanne Gregory
RE/MAX Southwest - Sugar Land, TX
The most important home I sell is YOURS!

Got one for Christmas, but still trying to master my Apple Watch.  Alexa is next.

Jan 07, 2017 06:52 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Not a fan as of yet!

Jan 07, 2017 06:48 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

TMI and invasion of privacy particularly if law enforcement can subpoena these devices for evidence.

Jan 07, 2017 06:07 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I have not used it.

Jan 07, 2017 05:58 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I don't... I'm just not into gadgets and toys. If someone gave me one of these as a gift, it would probably end up in a closet gathering dust.

Jan 07, 2017 05:36 AM
Ambassador
5,230,079
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

YOU ARE NOT RECORDED UNLESS YOU ACTIVATE HER!!  Seriously, the news media has everyone petrified that Alexa is recording everything and she is NOT!  (In fact, I believe this is a conspiracy created by the competitor!  LOL)  It is JUST like Siri or FaceTime - if the light is on, she is activated and recording.  If the light is off, the system is not recording! 

I've had mine nearly 2 years now and LOVE it!  I use it for music, questions, weather and my grocery list (goes to the app on my phone so I don't have to write anything down)!  You'll love it, Fred Griffin!

Jan 06, 2017 10:24 PM