Amazon sidewalk, auto opting you in to a public WiFi mesh?

InceptionHosting · November 2020

Just got this email from amazon regarding amazon echo devices, is it me or does this read like an auto opt in public WiFi mesh, or at least the beginning of where we pay for the bandwidth?

A new feature is launching on your Echo device: Amazon Sidewalk.

Amazon Sidewalk is a shared network that helps devices work better. For example, if your device loses its wifi connection, Sidewalk can simplify reconnecting to your router and help set up new Echo devices. Sidewalk can also extend the coverage for Sidewalk-enabled devices, such as Ring smart lights and pet and object trackers, so they can stay connected and continue to work over longer distances.

When enabled, Sidewalk uses a small portion of your Internet bandwidth to provide these services to you and your neighbors. This setting will apply to all of your supported Echo and Ring devices that are linked to your Amazon account.

Learn more about Amazon Sidewalk.

Sidewalk is coming to your Echo device later this year, but you can disable this feature at any time from the Amazon Alexa app.

To disable this feature, follow these instructions. You must have the latest version of the Alexa app on your phone to proceed.
Click the appropriate link below on your mobile device to get the latest version:
iOS
Android
To open the Alexa app, tap Open. Or tap Install or Update, then Open when complete.
Sign into your Amazon account, if prompted.
Tap More > Settings > Account Settings > Amazon Sidewalk.
Turn Sidewalk off.

The Amazon Echo Team

debaser · November 2020

Horrifying. But really.

InceptionHosting · November 2020

Guess it’s finally time to get rid off old wire tap as I call it, I enjoyed the firetv and amazon Alexa, alternatives aside from google?

Neoon · November 2020

Good timing, switching to IKEA zigbee stuff, the gateway can run without interwebs, still the RPi4 can fuck with the lights.
The app works without any account, just need to be in the same wifi.

InceptionHosting · November 2020

Any other generic tv devices that are capable of loading video from amazon prime?

Neoon · November 2020

@AnthonySmith said:
Any other generic tv devices that are capable of loading video from amazon prime?

Well, get a bare bone and play it via chrome and disconnect that shit TV from the internet.

yoursunny · November 2020

Alexa is my girlfriend, and now she's talking to other girls on the sidewalk?

But I'll keep this feature enabled. I'm all for mesh networking with less dependency on centralized components.

bdl · November 2020

I got the email too, but this article has more in-depth info:
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/amazon-sidewalk-will-create-entire-smart-neighborhoods-faq-ble-900-mhz/

I'm guessing that only BLE will be enabled around me since we're still using 900mhz for mobiles/cellphones. I'm still going to opt out (well, when I can, my app doesn't have the option ).

bikegremlin · November 2020

vyas · November 2020

I only had one question:
In event of a cyber crime, if my network was used, then will the cops come knocking at my door?

bikegremlin · November 2020

@vyas said:
I only had one question:
In event of a cyber crime, if my network was used, then will the cops come knocking at my door?

If you use a smartphone (with them Alexas, Siris and whatnot), no worries: they would already have know where you've been and what you've been doing.

vyas · November 2020

@bikegremlin said:

@vyas said:
I only had one question:
In event of a cyber crime, if my network was used, then will the cops come knocking at my door?

If you use a smartphone (with them Alexas, Siris and whatnot), no worries: they would already have know where you've been and what you've been doing.

"Alexa, where was I when this incident happened?"

You were walking your dog and listening to Take That. For the third time this week. I am getting tired of your taste in Music, you know. I can sing you a song instead. Even your neighbour's Alexa can. "

bikegremlin · November 2020

@vyas said:

"Alexa, where was I when this incident happened?"
You were walking your dog and listening to Take That.

In some jurisdictions this could get you arrested for animal abuse!

vyas · November 2020

@bikegremlin said:

@vyas said:

"Alexa, where was I when this incident happened?"
You were walking your dog and listening to Take That.

In some jurisdictions this could get you arrested for animal abuse!

Listening to music while walking the dog, or the choice of music? :-)

bikegremlin · November 2020

@vyas said:

@bikegremlin said:

@vyas said:

"Alexa, where was I when this incident happened?"
You were walking your dog and listening to Take That.

In some jurisdictions this could get you arrested for animal abuse!

Listening to music while walking the dog, or the choice of music? :-)

Define "music".

beagle · November 2020

@AnthonySmith said:
Any other generic tv devices that are capable of loading video from amazon prime?

Roku?

miegl · November 2020

Thank you for the opt-out botnet, Amazon

InceptionHosting · November 2020

@beagle said:

@AnthonySmith said:
Any other generic tv devices that are capable of loading video from amazon prime?

Roku?

I did not know roku could connect to prime, nice one.

beagle · November 2020

@AnthonySmith said:

@beagle said:

@AnthonySmith said:
Any other generic tv devices that are capable of loading video from amazon prime?

Roku?

I did not know roku could connect to prime, nice one.

Yes, it has all the main streaming services: Amazon, Google, Netflix, Disney+, Sky Store, Plex

havoc · November 2020

Hell no. Don't want to be in any of these IoT walled gardens, let alone a distributed mesh of it.

AlSwearengen · November 2020

Updated app today, still do not have option to disable Sidewalk appearing in settings.

And what a bunch of cunts for dirtying up the already congested and noisy 900MHz band.

InceptionHosting · November 2020

I mean, if they said we are going to pay you for the rights to use your bandwidth... ok, maybe, but opt out, and to opt-out you have to install the alexa app... um no.

SpeedBus · November 2020

@AnthonySmith said:
Any other generic tv devices that are capable of loading video from amazon prime?

The Xiaomi Mi Box S can (it runs stock/pure Android TV and no funky custom UI).

https://www.mi.com/us/mi-box-s

InceptionHosting · November 2020

@SpeedBus said:

@AnthonySmith said:
Any other generic tv devices that are capable of loading video from amazon prime?

The Xiaomi Mi Box S can (it runs stock/pure Android TV and no funky custom UI).

https://www.mi.com/us/mi-box-s

Do you have one, I like the fact that roku has sky player on it, very handy and not something I have had before (but wanted) with the fire stcik, also do you know if the Mi box has additional storage options? (popcorn time)

SpeedBus · November 2020

@AnthonySmith said:

@SpeedBus said:

@AnthonySmith said:
Any other generic tv devices that are capable of loading video from amazon prime?

The Xiaomi Mi Box S can (it runs stock/pure Android TV and no funky custom UI).

https://www.mi.com/us/mi-box-s

Do you have one, I like the fact that roku has sky player on it, very handy and not something I have had before (but wanted) with the fire stcik, also do you know if the Mi box has additional storage options? (popcorn time)

Yup I have one, apps can be installed on it via the Google Playstore + via USB as well (install any file manager off the play store and you can access USB to install other APKs). Sky Go (?) seems to not be natively available on it but, some reddit guides say to use some Kodi plugin etc could be a bit of a mess with that if the plugin stops working randomly.

Storage is okay but it's got only 8GB onboard, I have a external HDD plugged to it when I need, but never tried popcorn time on it.

Apart from that the UI is clean, no ads or anything, just a couple of preinstalled apps which can (so far) be uninstalled as needed.

InceptionHosting · November 2020

@SpeedBus said:

@AnthonySmith said:

@SpeedBus said:

@AnthonySmith said:
Any other generic tv devices that are capable of loading video from amazon prime?

The Xiaomi Mi Box S can (it runs stock/pure Android TV and no funky custom UI).

https://www.mi.com/us/mi-box-s

Do you have one, I like the fact that roku has sky player on it, very handy and not something I have had before (but wanted) with the fire stcik, also do you know if the Mi box has additional storage options? (popcorn time)

Yup I have one, apps can be installed on it via the Google Playstore + via USB as well (install any file manager off the play store and you can access USB to install other APKs). Sky Go (?) seems to not be natively available on it but, some reddit guides say to use some Kodi plugin etc could be a bit of a mess with that if the plugin stops working randomly.

Storage is okay but it's got only 8GB onboard, I have a external HDD plugged to it when I need, but never tried popcorn time on it.

Apart from that the UI is clean, no ads or anything, just a couple of preinstalled apps which can (so far) be uninstalled as needed.

Thanks, will get one for the upstairs TV and a roku for the downstairs.

CamoYoshi · November 2020

I don't see how you people can live with these so called smart devices and smart homes with all this stuff.

I have a printer, and a shotgun in case the printer makes a funny noise.

InceptionHosting · November 2020

@CamoYoshi said:
I don't see how you people can live with these so called smart devices and smart homes with all this stuff.

I have a printer, and a shotgun in case the printer makes a funny noise.

because: "alexa fart"

InceptionHosting · November 2020

Just saw a youtube video on the Dynalink TV Box looks pretty amazing at only $30

Not shilling for tech yes city I promise, just had some relevant stuff over the past few days

AlSwearengen · November 2020

@CamoYoshi said:
I don't see how you people can live with these so called smart devices and smart homes with all this stuff.

I have a printer, and a shotgun in case the printer makes a funny noise.

Lemme guess, you live in the south?

CamoYoshi · November 2020

@AlSwearengen said:

@CamoYoshi said:
I don't see how you people can live with these so called smart devices and smart homes with all this stuff.

I have a printer, and a shotgun in case the printer makes a funny noise.

Lemme guess, you live in the south?

Nope, I work in IT for a living and live in a very tech centric hub on the west coast.

Amazon sidewalk, auto opting you in to a public WiFi mesh?

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