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Tag: Alexa

  • Experts hack Alexa, Google Home, and Siri by using ordinary lasers

    Experts hack Alexa, Google Home, and Siri by using ordinary lasers

    Researchers have apparently found a way to hack assistants such as Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, as well as some smartphones, by simply pointing a laser. The hack dubbed as Light Commands, allows attackers to take full control over many popular voice-controlled devices by targeting the device’s microphone with lasers.

    Takeshi Sugawara, one of the lead researchers of the study, explained that microphones in smart devices convert sound into electrical signals, which sends commands to the device. He added that microphones react the same way to a focused light pointed at them, just like they respond to sound commands.

    “It’s possible to make microphones respond to light as if it were sound. This means that anything that acts on sound commands will act on light commands,” Sugawara told Wired in a statement.

    As many voice-controlled devices are not protected by a PIN or password, attackers just need to be in the device’s line of sight to exploit this vulnerability. In a research paper published on Monday, experts revealed how they could easily hack smart speakers, tablets, and even phones by simply pointing a laser` through a window. They added that the vulnerability could be exploited by hackers to operate smart switches at homes or offices, as well as buy things online without being detected.

    “Once an attacker gains control over a voice assistant a number of other systems could be open to their manipulation. In the worst cases, this could mean dangerous access to e-commerce accounts, credit cards, and even any connected medical devices the user has linked to their assistant,” says a breakdown of the study on the University of Michigan’s website.

    Experts spent nearly seven months testing this vulnerability on popular voice-controlled devices powered by Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant. These include Google Home, Echo Dot, Fire Cube, Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, iPhone, and iPad. They were able to successfully exploit the flaw using ordinary laser pointers, laser drivers, and a telephoto lens. In some cases, even a souped-up flashlight did the trick.

    Researchers also added that they’ve shared their findings of the exploit with Google, Facebook, Amazon, Tesla, as well as Ford.

  • Amazon’s Alexa-powered wireless earbuds might feature fitness tracking

    Amazon’s Alexa-powered wireless earbuds might feature fitness tracking

    Reports emerged earlier this year indicating that Amazon is working Alexa-powered wireless earbuds, that’ll compete directly with Apple’s Airpods. Today, a new report from CNBC has shed more light on the matter. Besides, the report also suggests that Amazon plans to launch a new, better sounding Echo speaker

    To begin with, the report suggests that Amazon’s upcoming earbuds will not only feature Alexa but will also include multiple health and fitness features. They will reportedly come equipped with a built-in accelerometer that will be able to track calories burned, distance ran, and the wearer’s pace.

    However, the report also indicates that Amazon’s earbuds might not feature cellular connectivity. Now, this could make Alexa integration a bit of a hassle as they would need to pair with a smartphone to unlock Alexas’s full functionality.

    As far as pricing goes, the report suggests that Amazon’s earbuds will get a price tag of less than $100, which make them more affordable than Apple’s Airpods and other popular wireless earbuds. That said, it remains unclear whether Amazon’s upcoming earbuds will feature true wireless capabilities like Airpods. Today’s report from CNBC, however, states that the Alexa earbuds would be similar to Airpods.

    Elsewhere, the report also suggests that Amazon plans to launch a new Echo speaker with a built-in woofer, which is expected to improve the sound quality significantly, compared to the current Echo lineup, Apple’s HomePod, as well as Google Home. Amazon recently announced a lossless tier for its music streaming service that will offer songs with a bit depth of 16 bits and a sample rate of 44.1 kHz. And it would be a good idea if Amazon launches a new, improved Echo speaker that would allow subscribers to listen to music in high-definition with better sound quality.

    Amazon is expected to announce these new products during its annual launch event in Seattle on Wednesday. We’ll bring you all the live updates from the event. Until then, keep checking back for more.