'Alexa Guard' Security Feature Rolls Out to Amazon Echo Devices in the US

[MacRumors]

Amazon announced this morning that Alexa Guard is now rolling out to all Echo device owners in the U.S.

The free feature update, which has been trialed by a select few over the last few months, turns Echo speakers into security devices when no-one's home by allowing them to listen for key sounds indicating danger or intrusion.

Users need to say "Alexa, I'm leaving" to set Alexa Guard to Away mode, after which the device will listen for sounds like breaking glass and the sound of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.

According to TechCrunch, Amazon has worked with licensed contractors to break hundreds of different glass windows with different instruments in order to create a wide range of different sounds for Alexa to listen for.

Upon detecting an ominous sound, Alexa sends the owner Smart Alerts via phone notifications. Users can also play the detected sound from the Alexa mobile app or Drop In on their Echo device remotely to find out what's happening.

Alexa can arm a Ring or ADT security system, with the user able to choose to forward Smart Alerts they receive to Ring or ADT. Users with Away Lighting can also use the alert to turn on lights so as to make it look like they're actually home.

For more details about Alexa Guard, check out Amazon's FAQ.

Article Link: 'Alexa Guard' Security Feature Rolls Out to Amazon Echo Devices in the US

 

[jimothyGator]

According to TechCrunch, Amazon has worked with licensed contractors to break hundreds of different glass windows with different instruments in order to create a wide range of different sounds for Alexa to listen for.

That sounds like a fun job.

 

[Scottsoapbox]

Thank goodness Alexa will ignore breaking glass windows while I am at home. #Hobbies

 

[knemonic]

How bout a service in IFTTT that allows me to arm the echos when Life360 detects the last person to leave a location? Then I don’t ever have to say I’m leaving

 

[apolloa]

Seems like a brilliant innovative idea, shame it’s US only as per usual..

 

[LewisChapman]

What a great use of existing tech.

Just a shame they only smashed US windows?

 

[44267547]

Now this I like, I think this would be a really useful feature that you can take a smart speaker and essentially have it trained for listening for different audibles that would cause an alarm, and it’s compatible to operate with ring and ADT security, which are both major consumer products.

 

[Craiger]

Please add this to the HomePod Apple!

 

[Bazooka-joe]

Brilliant innovation....The progress of Alexa functionality just embarrasses HomePod to the 'Nth' degree.......can't innovate, my ass,.

 

[44267547]

Brilliant innovation....The progress of Alexa functionality just embarrasses HomePod to the 'Nth' degree.......can't innovate, my ass,.

I’d say the HomePod and Alexa Are two different comparisons here that are not mutually exclusive. The HomePod is really focused on being music oriented first with the sound, not necessarily by providing this type of functionality (Even though this would be a useful expansion in the future), as Alexa is as being more of a ‘smart speaker’ first, music player second.

 

[ztw2002]

That’s neat, Apple really needs to catch up to Google and Amazon on A.I.

 

[Piggie]

How about a feature where it will listen to you wife being illogical and issue an alarm so she knows she's in the wrong

 

[FilipeTeixeira]

What a great use of existing tech.

Just a shame they only smashed US windows?

Indeed. They should go all around the world smashing random windows. I would totally help them .

 

[mattopotamus]

Pretty cool. Especially for those without home security.

 

[McG2k1]

Now Amazon can help you make your home little more secure now and then by making it a lot less secure all the time.

 

[Ultramove69]

I wanna break windows...for science!

 

[M.PaulCezanne]

Upon detecting an ominous sound

...like a stranger in bed with your spouse. I need to patent this add-on feature and offer it as an exclusive. Kick my divorce law practice into high gear.

 

[AlliFlowers]

I love it. Especially since my Ring is so sensitive it goes off when a bug flies by. (I can't turn it down any further!)

 

[NM08SRT8]

How bout a service in IFTTT that allows me to arm the echos when Life360 detects the last person to leave a location? Then I don’t ever have to say I’m leaving

Is saying that too much work?

 

[dominiongamma]

Please add this to the HomePod Apple!

Apple can’t even add Spotify to HomePod lol it’s not happening

 

[ripper998]

Updated my Alexa app and says it’s not available. Not sure what’s up

 

[trip1ex]

Sounds a bit hokey like a lot of features on these products

 

[picaman]

I guess they are doing a slow rollout. Updated the Alexa app, went to Settings -> Guard, and was asked to sign up to be notified when it is available. Whatever.

Update: it now works.

 

[CodexMonkey]

That sounds like a fun job.

It sounds smashing.

 

[PastaPrimav]

Please add this to the HomePod Apple!

This is way too useful to be added to HomePod.
[doublepost=1557844263][/doublepost]

Sounds a bit hokey like a lot of features on these products

What a throwaway comment. Did you even read how it works at all? This one feature all by itself is like a pseudo alarm system for people who don't have one. All of the fancy extras that are part of a real security system boil down to a handful of really effective ones: Glass breaking being number one. Smoke alarm detection being number two.
Door and window sensors are useful, but ultimately anyone breaking in is not going to open a locked door or window...they will break. And lot of good a window sensor does you if they break in. The glass break sensor is the crux of it.

This simple Alexa feature detects glass breaking, and notifies you. Allowing you to play the recorded sound, and listen live. This alone gets you about 90% of the way to a self-monitored alarm system.
[doublepost=1557844430][/doublepost]

I’d say the HomePod and Alexa Are two different comparisons here that are not mutually exclusive. The HomePod is really focused on being music oriented first with the sound, not necessarily by providing this type of functionality (Even though this would be a useful expansion in the future), as Alexa is as being more of a ‘smart speaker’ first, music player second.

What you're saying is true. The problem is: most people are not going to buy multiple similar products to get all of the features available.

I have several Alexa enabled devices now, and since some of them happen to be brand new Sonos speakers....I'm not missing out on anything Apple has to offer with HomePod in terms of "music-first".