I'm also surprised people didn't boycott smart devices with surveillance hardware built-in when they started coming onto the market. There used to be a time when people actually cared about the safety of their home and their privacy.
Your first statement just proves your second statement's reason.
People can't boycott something they know nothing about. And most people have no idea what their TV does because they don't or won't read the free manual.
Because you're old, like me, and don't see 77" TVs as a communication device. Today's younger generation sees these as nothing more than giant iPads and it helps Grandma videochat.
The bigger question is if this android device had a firmware hole that allowed this on a TV - how many android phones have the same "glitch" that are patched without your permission?
I believe the microphone is generally in the remote. Or at least that is where it on the Roku version so you can do voice searches [youtube.com].
I don't own a smart TV but I've tested the functionality on friends/family and it's very useful when you want to find a way to watch a specific movie/show and have no idea what channel/streaming service actually has it.
and you are surprised it is a shit show with security holes, open backdoors, and active complete stealth control from the vendor?
You buy any smart entertainment devices on the market and you are surprised it is a shit show... FTFY
The big difference here is that the shit show is more visible. Oh, wait... wasn't there something a few months ago about a whole bunch of Samsung smart DVD players being totally bricked by an update? That was pretty visible too. Never mind the cheapness of the hardware or how well known the company is: if it's a 'smart' device, then it's not a smart choice unless you have the will or the knowledge to mitigat
I love my 4K HDR 55" TCL. It works great, has built in Roku and was only about 350 bucks. So far I will keep buying their TVs because they are great deals and look good. There is no personal info in my TV or mic or camera and I don't need smart TVs for that matter as I use an Nvidia Shield instead. It's nice though if my shield breaks I have a built in ROKU to fall back on... or if I catastrophically lose my remote.;)
I'm sure tons of Smart TVs have security holes, they were never really designed to be se
"There is no personal info in my TV or mic or camera": "Smith!' screamed the shrewish voice from the telescreen. '6079 Smith W.! Yes, you! Bend lower, please! You can do better than that. You're not trying. Lower, please! That's better, comrade.
You buy the cheapest TVs on the market (Score:3, Insightful)
and you are surprised it is a shit show with security holes, open backdoors, and active complete stealth control from the vendor?
Re:You buy the cheapest TVs on the market (Score:4, Insightful)
I'm surprised a TV has a microphone, personally.
I'm also surprised people didn't boycott smart devices with surveillance hardware built-in when they started coming onto the market. There used to be a time when people actually cared about the safety of their home and their privacy.
Re: (Score:3)
Your first statement just proves your second statement's reason.
People can't boycott something they know nothing about. And most people have no idea what their TV does because they don't or won't read the free manual.
Re:You buy the cheapest TVs on the market (Score:5, Interesting)
Because you're old, like me, and don't see 77" TVs as a communication device. Today's younger generation sees these as nothing more than giant iPads and it helps Grandma videochat.
The bigger question is if this android device had a firmware hole that allowed this on a TV - how many android phones have the same "glitch" that are patched without your permission?
Re: (Score:3)
The sad part is that tv already had more updates than a lot of phones.
Re: (Score:2)
Even if they didn't, most sound chip-sets can mux all the I/O lines and is some cases could use the speakers as a rudementary microphone.
Re: (Score:2)
I believe the microphone is generally in the remote. Or at least that is where it on the Roku version so you can do voice searches [youtube.com].
I don't own a smart TV but I've tested the functionality on friends/family and it's very useful when you want to find a way to watch a specific movie/show and have no idea what channel/streaming service actually has it.
Re: (Score:3)
and you are surprised it is a shit show with security holes, open backdoors, and active complete stealth control from the vendor?
You buy any smart entertainment devices on the market and you are surprised it is a shit show... FTFY
The big difference here is that the shit show is more visible. Oh, wait... wasn't there something a few months ago about a whole bunch of Samsung smart DVD players being totally bricked by an update? That was pretty visible too. Never mind the cheapness of the hardware or how well known the company is: if it's a 'smart' device, then it's not a smart choice unless you have the will or the knowledge to mitigat
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
"There is no personal info in my TV or mic or camera": "Smith!' screamed the shrewish voice from the telescreen. '6079 Smith W.! Yes, you! Bend lower, please! You can do better than that. You're not trying. Lower, please! That's better, comrade.