Users with an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac can interact with Siri without even touching the device by using the “Hey Siri” voice command, which calls up Apple’s virtual assistant. As other assistants like Amazon’s Alexa also have similar commands, Facebook is now introducing a new wake-up call, “Hey Facebook,” for its own smart devices.
Facebook has its own line of smart devices called “Portal”, which are basically tablets or “smart displays” designed to be used at home on a table or desk. In addition, there is also the Oculus VR platform, which is owned by Facebook.
As reported by The Verge, Facebook today announced that Oculus Quest users can now have a hands-free experience using the “Hey Facebook” voice command. For example, commands such as “Hey Facebook, take a screenshot” or “Hey Facebook, show me who’s online” are now available to users.
Portal devices already have a similar command – “Hey Portal” – which is now replaced by “Hey Facebook”. Just like other virtual assistants, Facebook devices begin to record and transcribe what the user says after identifying the wake-up words. Facebook says this feature is optional and is turned off by default.
Unless you turn off Portal’s microphone, Portal listens for a wake-up call. If Portal detects a wake-up call, a visual indicator will appear at the bottom of the screen and Portal will begin recording and transcribing your voice interaction. This recording and transcript is sent to Facebook servers in real time to respond to your request.
This, of course, raises privacy concerns since Facebook has been known to collect user data without asking for permission. Although Siri offers a similar feature with “Hey Siri,” Apple guarantees that its devices do not send anything to Apple’s servers until the device hears the wake-up command. The process of identifying the phrase “Hey Siri” is done offline, thanks to the AI built into Apple’s own chips.
Would you be sure to leave Facebook’s virtual assistant always on at home or at work? Let us know in the comments below.
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