smart speaker
Alexa's home device
A smart speaker is a voice-activated wireless speaker with a built-in virtual assistant—Amazon's Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple's Siri.
It responds to spoken commands: playing music, answering questions, controlling other devices, setting timers.
The smart speaker turned on the lights when I asked.
The device is always listening for its wake word, which raises privacy concerns.
Virtual home assistant
- Google AssistantVoice-activated digital aide
- SiriDigital voice helper
- CortanaMicrosoft's virtual assistant
- voice commandSpoken order to technology
hands-free · wake word · routine · skill · action · query · reminder · timer
Wireless network standard
- BluetoothShort-range wireless protocol
- pairingJoining two together
- streamingReal-time digital delivery
- syncCoordinate timing or data
Zigbee · Matter · mesh network · cloud · integration · compatibility · ecosystem · SmartThings
Zone where waves stabilize
- bassDeep pitch or fish
- trebleHigh frequency range
- equalizerWhat evens things out
- volumeAmount of space filled
soundstage · noise cancellation · playback · Spotify · Apple Music · podcast · radio · audiobook
Control that kills audio
- data collectionSystematic accumulation of facts
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
- encryptionConverting data into code
- opt-outChoose not to participate
Smart home device
- cylindricalCircular in cross-section
- compactTightly packed together
- power cordWire delivering electricity
- touchscreenInput-sensitive display panel
display · countertop · nightstand · kitchen · portability
Alexa
Virtual home assistant
- Google AssistantVoice-activated digital aide
- SiriDigital voice helper
- CortanaMicrosoft's virtual assistant
voice command · hands-free · wake word · routine · skill · action · query · reminder · timer · alarm
Wi-Fi
Wireless network standard
- BluetoothShort-range wireless protocol
- pairingJoining two together
- streamingReal-time digital delivery
sync · Zigbee · Matter · mesh network · cloud · integration · compatibility · ecosystem · SmartThings · firmware update
far-field
Zone where waves stabilize
volume · soundstage · noise cancellation · playback · Spotify · Apple Music · podcast · radio · audiobook
mute button
Control that kills audio
- data collectionSystematic accumulation of facts
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
- encryptionConverting data into code
Echo
Smart home device
- cylindricalCircular in cross-section
- compactTightly packed together
- power cordWire delivering electricity
touchscreen · display · countertop · nightstand · kitchen · portability
- audio devicesmicrophone, mic, CD player, iPod, stereo
- connected devicessmartphone, tablet, smartwatch, iPad, iPhone
- wireless devicessmartphone, cell phone, tablet, wireless router, WiFi router
- Digital EntitiesAI, bot, chatbot, virtual assistant, AI assistant
- speakerswoofer, tweeter, subwoofer, midrange, bookshelf
- Touchlesscontactless, automatic doors, automatic door, hand dryers, automatic flush
smart speakerpassive speaker
Speaker needing external amplifier
transistor radio · boombox · phonograph · clock radio · gramophone
smart, speech, speaker, spoken, speaking, spoke, smarts, speaks, smarting