Your Google smart speakers could be used to spy on you. A new report has found that hackers can use smart speakers to listen in on your private conversations at home. So here are all the details about this vulnerability.

Researcher Matt Kunze had found that hackers might be able to spy on users of Google Home smart speakers. Kunze discovered that Nest Mini has a rogue or “backdoor” account could be created using the Google Home application. Furthermore, the account could then be used to control the smart speaker. In other words, a hacker with malicious intent basically has remote access to a microphone feed inside your homes.

After this discovery, Kunze shared the information with the Search engine giant who awarded him with a heft sum of 107,500 US Dollars. The rogue account was capable of controlling the smart speaker and it let hackers send commands remotely via the cloud API, which allows two or more computer programs to communicate with one another. The hacker was also able to send a request to Google’s server requesting a link to the smart speaker.

This would even let the hacker to gain access to other smart home products as well by letting them unlock the front door, control smart appliances, possible even make online transactions as well, among other things. Those with malicious intent could also have the speaker call his phone allowing him to listen in to a conversation in the victim’s home through the speaker’s microphone.

RELATED:

• Google Pixel Fold launch may coincide with Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
• Google Home App Now Allows Control of Fans, Air Purifiers, and TVs
• Material You for Nearby Share on Android Gets Some Minor Tweaks
• Google Adds “Suspected Spam Call” Warning To Its Voice Call Screen
• Google Possibly Wanted To Buy Nuvia; Here’s Why

(Source, Via)

The post Hackers can use Google smart speakers to eavesdrop on you appeared first on Gizmochina.

With Double 11 behind us, Black Friday is the next shopping festival on the horizon. Google has announced its Black Friday deals as well as the dates when you will be able to grab these amazing deals.

The discount cuts across a variety of products from the Pixel 5 to Nest products and even the Google Home Max. Below are some of the major deals and the dates they will be live:

Pixel 5 for $649

The Pixel 5 launched on September 30 for $699. The Snapdragon 765G-powered phone packs a display with a hole punch, triple rear cameras, 5G support, and wireless and reverse wireless charging.

If you have got your eyes on the 5th gen Pixel phone, then you can grab it for $50 less ($649) on Sunday, November 22.

Nest Audio (2-pack) for $169.98

The Nest Audio is Google’s latest smart speaker. Technically, it is the successor to the original Google Home with better features and improved sound. Priced at $99, a pack of two should sell for $169.98 but Google will sell it for $169.98 ($30 off) on November 22.

Google Stadia Premiere Edition for $69.99

Stadia is Google’s game streaming service and is available in a number of countries already. The Premiere Edition includes a Google Chromecast Ultra and a Stadia Controller, Currently priced at $99.99, you can get a 30% discount and pay $69.99 instead if you buy it on November 25 (7 PM PST).

Google Nest Mini for $18.99

The Google Nest Mini is the second generation Google Home Mini smart speaker. It launched for $49 almost a year ago but can be picked up for just $18.99 on November 25 at 7 PM PST.

Google Home Max for $149

Google is definitely trying to get its speakers into your home with the deals it is offering on its speakers. The 2017 Google Home Max which launched for $299 and is practically its most powerful speaker to date will be available for $149 on November 22. That is $150 off the launch price. Don’t forget that you can pair two of the speakers together for stereo sound. If you opt for that, it means you will be selling out the original $299 price but you get two speakers.

Nest Hub Max for $179

Want a smart speaker with a display? Then the Nest Hub Max can be yours for $179 instead of $229 on November 22. The addition of a 10-inch touchscreen display means that you can ask the Google Assistant to play a YouTube video or a show on Netflix. You can also make video calls as it has a camera or join a Google Meet meeting. The Nest Hub Max can also double as a digital frame that pulls photos from your Google Photos account. It also doubles as a Nest Cam, so you do not need to pick up an additional security camera for whatever room you put it.

UP NEXT: Google Pixel 4a gets a new limited edition ‘Barely Blue’ color variant

The post Google’s Black Friday discount shaves $150 off the Google Home Max, $50 off the Pixel 5 appeared first on Gizmochina.

The festival of lights – Diwali is just around the corner and many of us would have done the shopping. But, there are many who must have been waiting for the last minute discounts before the sale ends. To ease your search, we have concluded a list of the best smart light bundles available at the Diwali sale across Amazon, Flipkart, and other prominent online retailers.

Must See: OPPO F17 Pro Diwali Edition launches in India, comes with bucket load of Offers, and a special Gift Box

It would be a nice addition to automation at your premises this Diwali. The smart lights can ease several day-to-day activities apart from the Diwali Celebrations. Some of the smart lights can calibrate with the music you’re listing to in your room. There are a variety of other features that may save energy time and power usage. Let’s bring more fun to the festivities by bringing smart light bundles to your house this Diwali.

There are multiple options with varied sizes, colors, brands, and wattage. You can easily choose between these options on the basis of your personal preference and usage.

Echo Dot Grey with Syska 12W LED Smart Color Bulb

Amazon always marches ahead of the competition in providing different smart products. Echo Dot is the smallest smart product that can automate multiple tasks at your house and workplace. Buying it with Syska 12W LED smart bulb will enable you to get familiar with the Echo Dot and Home automation.

The Syska Led Bulb 12W is bright enough to provide good illumination in your 15 x 15 ft room. Moreover, the bulb carries support for 16M colors and the users can change brightness as per requirement using your Voice (With Alexa). Moreover, it can be scheduled for advanced automation.

The Echo Dot can play songs for you, provides a 3.5 mm audio jack for connecting large speakers, serves news, trivia, weather information. There’s are plenty of other things that Echo Dot can perform with your smart appliances. It even supports Hindi.

Echo Dot Grey + Syska 12W LED RGB color bundle is available at a discount price of Rs. 3326

Grab Now ( ₹ 3,326.00 6,698.00)

Echo Dot + Wipro 9W LED Smart Bulb

Amazon Echo Dot and Wipro 9 W smart bulb is the cheapest bundle available as of now. The user can easily perform all the smart functions from weather alerts to managing smart devices using Echo Dot.

Wipro 9W LED Smart bulb supports 16 Million Colors + Tunable White color. It carries 2 years of manufacturer warranty. The user can control it from anywhere using the Wipro smart app or via Amazon Alexa. Moreover, it can be used along with Schedules and Routines.

The setup is quite simple using the Amazon Alexa App via your smartphone. It is available for the lowest price of Rs 2,299.

Grab Now (₹ 2,299.00)

Fire TV Stick Lite + Echo Dot + Wipro 9W Bulb

It’s a bundle of three products consisting of Fire TV Stick Lite, Echo Dot, and Wipro 9W Bulb. It is available for Rs 4049 with a discount of Rs 1298 if buying separately.

Echo Dot can control both the devices or products using your voice. It is a perfect combination to bring entertainment and lighting solutions to your home this festive season. It’s a gateway to endless entertainment which may help the buyers to save a lot.

Grab Now ( ₹ 4,049.00 ₹ 10,597.00)

Echo Flex Bundle + Wipro 9W LED

It is a dedicated device to control your smart devices from any chore of your house. The device is quite small and can be placed in any corner of the room. It can control your home by adjusting the lights, ACs, Refrigerators, and any other appliance. It has provisions to charge your smartphone via a built-in USB port. The users can plug-in the device directly into the power socket as it does not come along with a wire.

Meanwhile, it can be a much cheaper option along with Wipro 9W LED color bulb to enjoy the automation on the occasion of Diwali for just Rs 1799.

Echo Dot 4th Gen + Fire TV Stick Lite + Wipro 9W LED Bulb

It is another deadly combination if you wish to extend the Alexa support on multiple devices. The Wipro 9W LED bulb is a nifty addition to the package which can easily sync with Alexa using the Echo Dot 4th generation.

Amazon Echo Dot 4th generation is the latest device from the Amazon Echo family. It features a new design with better speakers rather than its predecessor.

The users can enjoy Full HD quality streaming on Fire TV Stick Lite. The new bundle is retailing for Rs 5049.

Grab Now ( ₹ 5,049.00)

Access more Alexa bundles here…

Google Nest Mini + SMITCH RGB Smart Bulb 10W

Google Nest Mini is a major competitor to Amazon Alexa. Both companies are working to make their virtual assistants better. There are some smart light bundles that are available along with Google Nest Mini.

The users can grab Smitch RGB Smart 10W Bulb along with Google Nest Mini for the price of Rs 2599. Its actual retail rice stands for RS 4999.

Grab Now( Rs 2599 Rs 4999)

These are some best smart lights bundles that are available in India at massive discounts.

Related: Xiaomi offers Diwali discounts on OTT subscriptions for Mi TV, Mi TV Stick & Mi Box 4K users

The post Best Smart light bundles to enlighten your house this diwali! appeared first on Gizmochina.

The Google Home Mini will be getting a successor tomorrow at the Made by Google event. The new Google Assistant speaker will launch as the Nest Mini. Pictures of the device have surfaced and they show Google is keeping the design of its predecessor with the exception of a nifty feature on the back.

The source of the pictures is the German tech blog, Winfuture.de. The pictures are promo images and they show that the Google Nest Mini looks just like the 2017 Google Home Mini. It still has that donut design and it comes in anthracite, coral, rock candy (light gray) and sky blue.

[envira-gallery id=”282843″]

The Nest Mini may pass for the Home Mini but that is only when you place them face up. If you turn them upside down, then you should see a distinguishing feature. Google has put a hole at the bottom of the Nest Mini to make it easy to hang on walls rather than sitting on a flat surface. They have also included a 1.5 meter-long cable that should suffice when you mount the speaker on the wall.

Winfuture.de reports that the Nest Mini supports dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, and built-in Chromecast support. However, they add that the speaker may be more powerful as it has a 15W plug, unlike the Home Mini which has a 9W power plug.

1 of 4

The Nest Mini should have the same launch price tag as the Home Mini. We expect Google to slash the price of the Home Mini if they don’t outrightly stop production.

UP NEXT: Google Pixelbook Go leaks in its full glory ahead of Oct 15 Launch

(Source)

The post Google Nest Mini’s pictures leak ahead of release appeared first on Gizmochina.