Smart TVs are a poor choice anyway. Keep your various Netflix-y bits in a cheap external box that can be quickly replaced or upgraded when Netflix 2: Netflix Harder comes down the pipe. Makes more sense to me than chucking out a 60" panel every time a new service or feature comes along.

+1 "yup"

Once again I feel vindicated for being a cheap Luddite.

Smart TVs: another failed solution to the problem that everyone who wants a TV already has one, is generally happy with it, and has no need to go buy another one.

Seriously, smart TVs, 3d, 4k, curved screens, whatever the latest TV babble is, it all boils down to manufacturers pleading "For god's sake BUY ANOTHER TV, PLEASE! We're not meeting our sales quotas going broke over here!"

Especially since more and more people are getting their entertainment needs from their phones and tablets. Which I find hilarious, there are all these ridiculously huge TVs on the market that cost several thousand dollars with resolutions that look like looking out of a window, and millions of people are perfectly content with watching their shows on a 6-inch screen.

It doesn't help that content isn't keeping up with the gimmicks, anyways. What's the point of 4k or 3D if you're still watching DVDs and 720p TV channels on it?

I use my iphone while commuting for listening to podcasts and music through the car stereo. Every few days, the Siri assistant will hear something that sounds close enough to, "Hey, Siri.." to activate, then try to interpret some random bit of song lyrics or podcast conversation as a command.

I was skeptical of Siri, until I learned I could easily receive texts and email while driving, have them red aloud to me, then respond verbally, never taking my eyes off the road. Similarly, switching between music or GPS navigation, asking for ETA to a destination, weather reports, etc.

SUPPOSEDLY, it's only listening all the time when plugged into a power source. At least that's the only time it responds to spoken commands without a button press as a prompt. For all I know, it's listening all the time.

Whether or not it's listening all the time, the microphone can be turned on remotely.

Exactly. There's no way to know.

I don't have a webcam or microphone on my computer, for that reason, but I admit, I am willing to risk it for all the utility my phone gives me.

I thought I was the only one that paranoid.

I think it's extremely unlikely that my own computer would be used to spy on me, but it makes me uncomfortable working with a camera pointed at my face, even if I'm 99.99% sure no one is watching me through it. When I have to use my wife's computer, I always turn the webcam around to face the wall.

Does making obscene sexual requests to Siri ever get old? Maybe, but not yet.

Tell Siri your name is, "My Lord and Master." Makes interaction a lot more fun, but can be a bit embarrassing in public.

I always wanted to be in a Manga.

I'd prefer "Me Lord." Seems more authentic.

Basically anything gets on the internet and has any cameras or microphone should be considered to be listening to you. None of that shit is ever designed with any sort of security in mind. And while you can be scared of the NSA or the FBI, it's much more likely that it's your neighbor that's experimenting with cracking wifi or bluetooth and is just doing it for the thrill of it.

I refuse to get a smart tv until the programming stops being stupid

I refuse to eat fast food until it slows down.

I'd be a little more concerned about data-sharing cars than data-sharing TV's.

Here's a story about a Samsung smart TV adding commercials to a movie being played from local media.