Google Home — Ease or Privacy?

Its been about 2 months since I am using google home mini. Its my one stop solution for music. Connecting it with phone or PC and then use it at its best. Getting free gaana and saavn subscriptions is icing on the cake.

My Google Home mini

I use it to -

1. Quickly know the approximate time to reach from place A to B
2. Play songs
3. Wake me up in the alarm. Believe me, setting up alarm wasn’t this easy
4. Control wifi light
5. Remember some things — my helmet lock, great songs someone told.
6. know the time — when I am too lazy to look up at the wall clock

But all these features come at the cost of privacy. Google is listening to me everytime. Even the key strokes which I am doing right now for writing. I have experienced significant accuracy increase for my voice. Even when I am brushing, it can entertain my song requests. But the thought of someone sniffing their voices continuously is nightmare for some. Its not that big a deal for me presently if I compare the ease which its providing me.

Its a long debatable talk. Someone watching black mirror would question every thing like this. But I on the other hand want to procrastinate now and use it fully!

You may contact the author at me@abhinavrai.com