Mike4 wrote:I wouldn't mind betting there is one helluvalot of effort going into cracking the Google Nest home automation system by crims. There must be reams of data available in it, useful for determining when people are away from home, on holiday etc etc so as to choose when to go a-burgling.
Maybe if your name is Ecclestone and you have a safe full of diamonds, but for mere mortals it is far simpler for the criminals to do a - ‘is there a car on the drive’ ‘are the lights on’ ‘does anyone answer if I knock on the door’ - nope, get out the crowbar then.
Lootman wrote:I don't like Google having such information on me anyway, so I never connected our Nest to the internet. You can change its settings manually and I never need to change the settings unless I am home anyway, so have no need to access the Nest from my phone.
On the other hand I am quite happy for my Hive system to be linked to the internet.
Aside from the ease of adjusting the heating if plans change and I will be home early or late, I can get warnings if the temperature is too low whilst I am away indicating a problem that I can get someone to resolve.
And the Hive system also is linked to door and window sensors so I can be reassured everything is secure, backed up by Ring cameras connected to the internet so I can see and hear what is going on.
Then the lights are also controlled by Hive so when away it gives the appearance the house is occupied, or if at home I can adjust them from my armchair.
Plus of course the TV controlled through Google Home and Samsung Smarthings so that can be turned on and off and controlled remotely.
Then the motorised curtains and blinds that open and close on voice demand or using IFTTT for automation.
And of course since this is the motoring board, there is my car which is also connected to the internet and where I can turn on the heating or aircon remote so it is the correct temperature when I get in.
Do all those companies know what I am doing, where I am, and what I am doing - probably. Do I care - nope.