Every where you turn, "smarts" are being added to devices. You name something and I can guarantee that someone is attempting cram extra crap into it fit into the smart thing category. Is this really the direction that we need to go?
If you don't know it yet, I'm a tech guy. But there are some things that I just don't think need to be made smart. Why in the world do we need to have smart light bulbs? Do we really need to have the color of the lights in the room change based on the music in the movie? And is it really necessary to have an internet connected car? And how about one of the latest appliance to be connected, the refrigerator. Do you really need to be able to see what's in your refrigerator while you're at the store? And this is just the beginning!
The biggest issue that I have with these devices isn't that they exist and that some people want them, it's that they are eliminating the regular devices. I don't want or need a television that is connected to the internet. I want to connect the cable to the back of it and turn it on. I don't want to worry about what the manufacturer is collecting about my viewing habits and what they are doing with it! Think about all of the recent stories that have been in the news about companies tracking and selling the data. They sell that data for millions of dollars, and when they are caught they pay an undisclosed fine because of an out-of-court settlement where they admit no wrongdoing.
Think cars are any better? How about the recent news about Tesla accidents? Yep, takes them about 2 days to analyze the data sent to them from the car to figure out what happened. Is that a good thing? I'm mixed on that because in this case it has proven who was at fault and buying a Tesla you are opting into this kind of tracking. However, it tells you what kind of data auto manufacturers can and do collect from you. And let's not forget the hacking that has occurred with Jeeps. Sure, it requires physical access to the vehicle at this point, but that is at this point! At some point that will likely change.
But what all of this really leads to is more and more ways in which the news agencies can and will cause panic among everyone. There are a lot of people who are hoping to cause you to panic and buy their products and services to "protect" you from all of this. I'm honestly tired of hearing all of the news about it. For the most part, if you follow basic rules of safety you aren't likely to run into any issues. I'm not saying it can't happen, just that being smart provides most of the protection that you will find in these security packages.
Let's go back to talking about cars again. Every state, I believe, has created laws about smart phone usage while driving, and manufacturers are considering ways in which to disable them while you are driving. Yet you would be very hard pressed to find a car without a huge touchscreen mounted in the dash, and they are perfectly legal to use! I just don't understand how that is legal but the use of a phone isn't. And, as they are considering blocking your phone, they are also adding in-car Wi-Fi so that you can always stay connected. Seriously, it's just another way in which they are trying to make a buck off of you! That isn't a free service by any means. In order to offer this, they have taken on the role of an authorized re-seller of whatever carrier they work out a deal with.
And let's not forget about the latest device that's being added to the "smart home," the home assistant. Why is it that we feel the need to be able to just shout out a question in the middle of the room to have the stereo turned up or a question answered? Last I knew, every stereo system that is able to connect to a network comes with a remote control. And my phone can certainly answer any question that I have using the same command as Google's device. So what's the point other than being able to track more about you?
There isn't one! And that's the problem. You don't need a television that is connected to the internet and you don't really need a car that constantly "phones home" to supply diagnostic data. I want a car that I can get in and go for a drive without being tracked. When I turn on the television, I want to watch television. Not wonder who is tracking every show that I watch. The initial concept of smart devices is to enhance things for us. But they've really gone well beyond doing that now. They aren't enhancing our lives or experiences, they are enhancing the wallets of these companies who are tracking everything that you do just to sell that information to others. That's right, buying these devices and things means that you are paying for the privilege of being tracked. I, for one, would really prefer to have some dumb devices...
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