Amazon turns your Alexa into security ‘watchdog’ that spies on your home – and sends you audio clips of intruders
AMAZON has just started to roll out home security tech called Alexa Guard to all its Echo customers in the US.
The feature can turn the company’s line of Alexa home products into security systems that can listen for intruders and send alerts and warnings.
All Amazon Echo owners will have to do is say “Alexa, I’m leaving” when walking out of the house and then the device will start listening.
A feature called “Smart Alerts” listens for key intruder sounds such as glass breaking and smoke alarms going off.
If an Echo device hears a noise using this new tech then it will record the sound and send it to you via an app on your smartphone.
Amazon has said that it worked with hundreds of different contractors who broke hundreds of glass windows with different types of instruments so the different sounds could be recorded.
This extensive testing means that the security feature should be prepared for most break in eventualities.
The feature can be used with other smart home devices as well.
Users who already have monitored home security systems like Ring or ADT pro monitoring can set up Alexa Guard so it forwards alerts to their providers.
People who have systems like Away Lighting setup can also use Alexa Guard to turn on the lights if they want it to look like they’re still in the house.
The Alexa Guard app is being rolled out for free to US Echo owners but there is no word yet on when it will be coming to the UK.
What is Alexa?
If you've never heard of Alexa, here's what you need to know...
- Alexa is an “intelligent” personal assistant built by Amazon.
- You can find her on several different devices, including Amazon’s Echo speakers.
- Alexa responds to voice commands, and can talk back to you.
- She can perform thousands of different tasks, including telling you about the news or weather.
- But she can do more complex things too, like ordering a pizza or arranging an Uber taxi pick-up.
- To activate Alexa, you need to say “Alexa” to an Amazon Echo speaker.
- Alexa currently only works in English and German languages.
- Because she’s powered by artificial intelligence, Alexa is constantly getting smarter.
- Alexa will also get more used to your voice, and better understand what you want her to do over time.
TOP STORIES IN TECH
In other news, you could get an Amazon Echo Dot for 99p if you sign up to Amazon Music Unlimited Family Plan.
If you’re confused about smart speakers, check out our Amazon Echo vs Google Homeguide.
And, here are some of the best Amazon Echo tricks you can try today.
Would you like Alexa Guard in your home? Let us know in the comments…
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.