#How Disable Ads On Your Echo Show Device

[crazydiscostu]

How Disable Ads On Your Echo Show Device

It used to be when you bought a device, it was yours to do with as you pleased! This doesn’t feel like the case with certain display-based Smart devices. Amazon seem to update their devices with new advertising features every few months. These features don’t generally make life better, but it does seem like the company finds new and interesting ways to push marketing onto the user. With each ad…

[thebrownssociety]

Across The Serververse Chapter 3

Hey! I'm back. Firstly, thank you to @thatsalotoftoons​, @preciouslittletoonette​ and @ananicoleta​ for commenting and reblogging this. 

Secondly, this chapter is what I like to call the 'explanation chapter'. I've tried not to info-dump, and I've edited it at least 3 different times trimming it down, so hopefully this is not to complicated, but I must admit the Serververse really intrigues me as a world and I'm really looking forward to exploring it through this.

See chapter 1 for the disclaimer and let's crack on.

Every other time Bugs had been to WB Central it had been buzzing, characters from all properties walking around, a few friendly arguments, a few hard-core fights, even a few drag races [usually the car kind, not the Queen kind] 

Now however, it was quiet. Vewy, very quiet as a certain well-known hunter would say. There were quite a lot of characters milling around the place, but none of the energy that usually accompanied them. Also, it was dark, Bugs realised, not pitch-black, but darker than usual. Like someone had placed a cover over a still-turned on screen. 

“Eh...what happened?” Bugs asked Pepe and Penelope.

They looked just as confused as him. “We do not know.” Pepe admitted.

“We’ve been on that cruise for 6 months, we’ve not been back here.” Penelope said, looking close to tears. “This iz awful”“ She added, tears springing to her eyes.

As Pepe started to try and calm her down, a familiar voice lifted Bugs’s spirit.

“Bugs, Pepe, Penelope! How lovely to see you all again!”

“Marvin!” Bugs exclaimed in delight, running over to the little Martian, picking him up and swinging him round joyously. “Am oi glad ta see you! What’s happened here? It’s like someone’s cut de power!”

“You’re more correct than you might think.” Marvin said, when Bugs had put him down. “Warner Brothers have seen fit to disable the entire system until they can get access to it again. Theirs's a problem, you understand. It appears the ‘famous Looney Tunes characters-” Here here made air quotes. “- have been put into different worlds. None of the humans can figure out why and are attributing it to a virus. They’ve called in multiple Information Technology people, but none of them can figure it out. Then again.” Marvin conceded. “I highly doubt any of them have dealt with a sentient A.I. before. All we know is it’s causing panic in the human verse - you can hear it if you get close enough to the portal - and what they’ve done is essentially put the worlds the other Looney’s have gone into into ‘freeze mode’ so they can’t shift or do anything else until they figure out what’s going on.” At the end of that rather lengthy explanation, Marvin sighed. “They may be there for quite some while.”

“So...lemme get dis straight.” Bugs said, thoughtfully. “We can’t get to the human world?”

“That is correct. Rhythm has blocked the portal into the human world to all WB characters.”

“And we can’t get in and out of the other worlds the rest of the fam are stuck in?”

“That is correct.” Marvin said, again. “Although-” He added. “-I think that may change now. Might I enquire how you guys got here?”

Bugs explained the events leading up to this moment - including how Rhythm had flung the toons to the other worlds - and Marvin nodded. “Interesting. I think I understand, but it requires a bit more explanation. Please walk with me while I fill us all in. Now, you may be wondering how I knew where to find you? I simply used my Tracker-3000 from Mars-” Marvin waved the device in the air. “-to track where you were. It’s a device I had gifted for me from the King Of Neptune. I had hoped I would never need to use it, but unfortunately I have-”

“-You’ve tracked us?” Bugs echoed, more than slightly disturbed. 

Marvin blinked. “Yes. Was that not clear? Please, do not think I did this idly. I hoped I wouldn’t need to ever use the trackers, but unfortunately I have had to. Anyway, I could see that you, Bugs, were in Tune Town, but none of us could get to you. I made further investigations with some of the more technically advanced characters here and it looks like Rhythm has placed a block on all current WB characters. None of us can enter or leave any of the other worlds. You may be able to see where I’m going with this?” he added, as an aside.

“Pepe isn’t a current character.” Penelope said, softly.

Marvin nodded eagerly. “Correct, sister. As Pepe isn’t a current character it seems he can travel between the worlds, and - judging by the fact you are here as well and the boat showed no issue with travelling - it seems that anything he is travelling on or with is likewise given ‘a free pass’, so to speak. Now-” Marvin cleared his throat. “I wish to seek clarification on this point, so please forgive my impertinence - but at the exact moment you and Pepe travelled through to Toon world were you...” A faint blush adjured the Martians cheeks. “...touching at all?”

“We were holding hands.” Penelope said, easily. “We were the second time as well.”

“Hold on, oi wasn't holdin’ hands with them.” Bugs said, quickly.

“No, but you were in ‘Big Chungus’ form, so that was probably what allowed you access. Now, with that information in mind, I would guess, Pepe, that anything you are touching - be it an inanimate object or another toon, will travel through as well. Or maybe it’s just everything that is on something you’re touching can travel as well?” Marvin added, thoughtfully. “That would explain how the captain of the boat could travel-”

Bugs groaned and ran a hand across his forehead. “Look Marvin, as fascinating as all dis is, it’s a bit much. Can you jus’ tell me where de others are so we can get going?”

“Certainly. Could you just remind me who actually got teleported, please?”

That was no issue for Bugs as the images would forever be burned into his mind. “Daffy, Porky, Lola, Elmer, Sylvester, Tweety, Granny, Speedy, Wile.E, Road-Runner, Foghorn, Taz, Yosemite Sam, Gossamer and Witch Hazel.”

“Well, I can help you with one of them.” Marvin said, as they finally approached the ‘Toon-Town’ section of W.B.C. “Just through here.” And he pressed open the door.

Inside the door was a world that was exactly like the ‘Toon Town’ from ‘Who framed Rodger Rabbit’ but without the Disney characters.

Marvin led Bugs, Pepe and Penelope through Toon Town until they reached Foghorn Leghorn’s barn.

“Look, I say, look who came back!”

Bugs’s grin threatened to split his face as he saw the rooster heading towards him, arms outstretched in welcome. 

“Foghorn!” The rabbit leapt on his younger brother and hugged him tightly. “Oh, I thought you was a gonner!”

“It, I say, it takes more than some computer to get rid of me.” Foghorn said, proudly. “I always come back!”

“Of course.” Dawg’s [AKA George.P.Dog’s] dry voice said, from about two foot away. “It ‘elps that your ‘random location’ was here and not - say - Game Of Thrones.”

Foghorn put Bugs down and said - as an aside. “That, I say, that’s a shout out, readers.”

“I think they got that, Foggy.” Dawg said, rolling his eyes.

It was at this point that Penelope interrupted, asking if Foghorn had just been transported to W.B.C or if anything else had happened.

“No, I just, I say, I just woke up here.”

“Woke up?” Bugs echoed.

Foghorn looked a bit sheepish and looked at Barnyawd.

George explained that 5 and a half months ago Foghorn had just literally dropped out of the sky and onto Dawg’s head. “Once I got da fat lump off of me, I saw he was unconscious and not funny unconscious-” Dawg clarified. “But actually unconscious. He was like dat for about a day or two before he woke up ag’in-” Dawg took a sharp breath as the memory hit him. He steadied himself and then continued with. “-And when he woke up he told us all what had happened. By that point though we knew something bad was going on because not only had this happened-” Here George indicated the dark surroundings. “But a few of us toons had tried to get through to the Human World and couldn’t. All it took was Marvin then double-checking the trackers he’s put on us-”

“-Yeah, cahn we go back to dat at some point?” Bugs asked.

“-An’ he saw the different worlds our family’s been split up into and then when Foggy woke up he confirmed the entire thing.” Dawg sighed and ran his hands over his face. “It’s been a nightmare worrying about them all dis time, because we’ve had no idea where they are or what they’re doing or if they’re bein tor-”

“Yeah, Oi did that spiel back in chapter 2.” Bugs said impatiently. “Right. Oi think oi get it now. Let’s go, Martian-” Bugs grabbed Marvin's arm and pulled him away. “We got a family ta save!”

“Wait, oh wait!” Bugs and Marvin skidded to a halt to see Junior [Sylvester's son] running towards them. 

“Eh...what’s up kid?” The rabbit asked, getting down to Juniors level.

Junior stopped sharply - accidently kicking a cloud of dust into the two toons faces - and, with one arm dramatically flung across his face, said. “Oh, Uncle Bugs, I know you have a lot of toons to get, but may I PLEASE request you start with my father? He is silly and often doesn’t think things through, but he’s my father and I love him so. May I please request you start with him and bring him back? I miss him.” At the end of Junior’s spiel, Bugs burst into noisy sobs and, getting a large handkerchief out of his pocket, wiped his eyes with it before wringing it out into a random bucket. 

“Of couirse I will.” he promised. “Jus’ watch me. Oi’ll aim to have him back as soon as possible. Now-” Bugs stood up and signalled to Marvin.  “-Let’s go, short-stack.”

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

“Now we wish to make this simple.” Marvin said, as he Bugs, Pepe and Penelope entered the spaceship. “So, if I just pull up a list-” He did so. “The trackers I put on you all will enable me to see exactly where you all are at any given moment.”

“Yeah, can we go back to dose trackers at some point?” Bugs asked.

Ignoring him, Marvin continued. "So, as you can see,  Sylvester is here." He pointed to 'Cartoon Network World'. "I'll just see if there's anyone with him. Bear with." A few moments of typing later and the trackers for Tweety, Yosemite Sam and Taz lit up. Marvin's eyes went wide and typed again. The screen zeroed in on Cartoon Network planet, showing a breakdown of the different sections of it. "Okay." Marvin said, slowly. "That is interesting. Sylvester and Tweety are both in Coolsville, AKA 'Scooby-Doo World' and it seems like there in the 1960's universe."

"Eh...it would hav' ta be Coolsville." Bugs muttered. "What wiv it's population of crazy crooks an' all."

"You just need to change into Chungus and then we can go." Marvin said, pointedly.

Bugs slapped his forehead. "Oops, I forgot!" He transformed into Big Chungus and gave Marvin a thumbs up.

Nodding the Martian pressed the 'arrive as close to as possible' button and the spaceship faded away.

[keldae]

FIC: Jailbreak

"Keep your true nature secret." Master Orgus' voice still echoed in Xaja's mind as she opened her eyes, curled up tightly on her side on a bunk in a cell that only seemed vaguely familiar. "Find a way out. Your dark allies will help."

She didn't know who or what to trust, besides the memory of her dead Master. Dark images flickered through her memory, with fragments of screams and the smell of blood. Pain echoed through her entire body, focusing on her hands and her neck, like she had been electrocuted. She could feel a tight shock collar on her neck and tried to force down her terror, feeling like she was going to throw up. She definitely remembered that agony, always hitting right as she had started to feel like her thoughts were clearing, and instinctively braced herself for a renewal of the pain. Have to get out of here. Master Orgus said I’m still on the Emperor’s Fortress? Where's my crew?

The door to her cell hissed open, and a uniformed Imperial officer strode in, seemingly ignoring her as he marched to the console opposite the hard bunk. The door slid closed again, and Xaja watched him with her heart in her mouth, slowly reaching for a lightsaber (a terrible Sith-designed weapon, one that she just knew it hurt to wield. Where were her own lightsabers?). Not a Sith or an armoured soldier, just an officer with a blaster pistol -- and an older-looking human man at that. If she could take him down without raising an alarm--

The officer turned to face her directly as though he could sense her thoughts, looking her dead in the eyes. His own widened slightly before he subtly raised his hand and shook his head, a warning to not move. Frowning, Xaja watched as he blinked a few times, as though interacting with implants she couldn't see, before he spoke, his voice a low whisper. "Do you know who you are?"

"I'm--" Xaja looked down with disgust at her Sith garb, then back at the officer, feeling defiance spark within her. "I'm a Jedi Knight, not a blasted--"

"Shh!" The officer shot her a hard look as he glanced toward the door, then whispered again. "I've uploaded a recorded feed into the security cams in this room to hide our movements, but you can still be heard through the door if you speak loudly enough. Do you know where you are?"

"What…?" Xaja shook her head in confusion. "Imp space… the Emperor's Fortress…" She felt herself pale. "Hells, my team-!"

"Worry about them later, Jedi," the officer whispered as he pulled a small container out of his pocket. "Can you wear contact lenses?"

Xaja frowned, growing more confused by the moment. "I… yes?"

"Good. Put these in. They'll hide your eye colour." The package was set in her hands as the officer stepped away, dark eyes glinting in the light. "If you want to get out of here alive, do exactly as I tell you. Do you understand?"

Xaja looked at him as she opened up the package and pulled out one contact, a fearsome yellow shade that made her feel sick. That was a colour that belonged in a Sith’s eyes. "Why are you doing this?" she whispered.

"I have my reasons, Jedi. Today, if you don't mind." The officer impatiently gestured for Xaja to hurry up with the contacts. "The second the Sith suspect you're not under their control anymore, they'll break you again, and I won't be able to help you. This is our only shot to get you out."

Still utterly perplexed, Xaja obediently blinked in both contacts, anxiously watching her apparent rescuer. Maybe he was SIS? But no, how could a Republic spy make it here? "Who are you?" she softly asked as she stood up, feeling her hands shake. Honestly, it was a miracle the contacts were in right.

"A friend. That's all you need to know right now. Hold still." The officer reached for Xaja's neck, pausing when she flinched out of fear. "I'm not going to hurt you. Trust me. I'm disabling the collar."

"Wh-- can't you take it off?" Xaja pleaded, right now uncaring of how weak she sounded, feeling the collar like a vice on her neck.

"Not yet. It'll alert them that something's up." The officer squeezed her shoulder reassuringly as he fumbled with the collar, before Xaja heard a soft click. "There. It's disabled. Don't give them a reason to want to use it and they shouldn't catch on. You'll be able to remove it when you're out of here." He stepped back and pushed a heavy dark robe in her arms. "Put that on, and quickly. The recorded feed is about to run out."

Xaja shrugged the black fabric over her shoulders, frowning at the officer. "You're Imperial," she hissed. "Why are you helping me? What do you get out of this?"

The officer paused, looking at her for a moment before finally sighing. "My wife and I gave a child to the Jedi years ago," he quietly said, ignoring how Xaja's eyes widened in surprise. "Be about your age now. I want assurance that my kid is alive and safe."

How the blazes… a Jedi child?... Xaja shook her head to clear her thoughts. Checking on someone's Jedi child was a small price to pay for escaping this hell, even if the child's parents were Imperial. "What's their name?" she whispered. 

The officer hesitated, then shook his head. "It’s not safe here," he whispered. "I'll tell you when we get you to your ship."

Xaja nodded and followed her rescuer as he opened the cell door, and immediately fought the urge to flinch when she saw the Pureblood looming in the corridor. The Wrath, her mind supplied, as he spoke to the officer, paying her no heed. "Her status?"

"Perfectly stable and compliant, my lord," the officer answered, his voice the same cool, even tone that Xaja was used to hearing from Imperials. "No problems at all."

"Good." The Wrath nodded and turned to walk off. "Escort her to the interrogation chambers for her training session. Tell the overseer I want an appraisal as to her progress from you directly."

"Yes, my lord." The officer saluted and started walking in another direction, Xaja trailing a step behind, her heart in her mouth. The Wrath hadn't acted like he suspect anything… was it a trap? A pair of contacts and a robe shouldn't have been enough to fool him. Was the officer working directly for him?

Focus, she heard Master Orgus whisper in the back of her mind. She shuddered and quickened her pace to fall into step beside the officer. Was this what Master Orgus has been talking about?

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"The Wrath ordered me to give him an analysis of her status, Overseer. Directly."

The overseer scowled. "She's mine to break and train! The Wrath should trust my judgement, as should you."

"With all due respect, Overseer, I'm more afraid of the Wrath than I am of you." The officer didn't sound scared in the slightest. "He is the one who speaks for the Emperor, after all."

"Fine," the overseer finally snarled. "But stay out of the way. I will not have you causing a distraction." He turned to Xaja, then pointed at the rack. "Today, we test your ability to extract information from the enemy. One of the scum you arrived with awaits interrogation. You’ll conduct it while I watch. You will use the tormentor device for this."

Xaja wanted to kill the overseer with her bare hands for that, or to plead for mercy for Kira on the rack. But over the overseer's shoulder, she saw the officer minutely shake his head, and resigned herself to this. "Yes, Overseer," she quietly said; apparently he was satisfied with that, and let her approach the console and the victim on the torture rack, not seeing how her hands trembled. Oh, hells, Kira, she silently cried out as she saw her Padawan, what have they done to you? What have I done to you? 

“Good,” the overseer said as he followed Xaja to the console. “It’s a simple device. Three inducement settings, each inflicting greater pain on the subject. The tormentor monitors the subject’s vital signs...” Xaja had to tune him out at that, lest she strangle him. But she couldn’t look directly at Kira’s eyes either, not without the guilt crashing down on her for what she had presumably done. Master Orgus had said this wasn’t her fault, but...

"Come on," Kira frantically pleaded as Xaja stepped up to the controls, "I know you're in there. You’re not one of them! If I beat him, you can too!" Hells, Xaja couldn't remember ever hearing her Padawan sound that scared, or that desperate. Fragments of blurry memories made her feel nauseous. Had she been made to torture her Padawan and her friends while in this hell? She was afraid of the answer being yes.

She set her hands on the control console, fighting to keep quiet as she heard the overseer’s instruction to start on the lowest pain settings. Don't draw attention or suspicion, the officer had said. But hells, she couldn't torture Kira! But if the overseer realized that the Jedi wasn't under the Emperor’s mind control…she could see the control for the shock collar at his belt. He would use it if he suspected she had broken free.

An idea glimmered in Xaja's mind, and she jumped on it. "I'm sorry, Overseer," she said as she made a show of pressing buttons on the console and tried to not let her voice shake. "There appears to be a problem with the controls."

The overseer snarled and marched up to the console. "Blasted technicians," he muttered, scowling. "Step aside, I’ll have a look." He knelt to access the cables running under the control panel, and Xaja saw her chance. Her foot flew up in a kick before the Sith saw the attack coming, striking him hard enough in the neck that she felt bones snapping under her boot. He fell in a limp heap, and Xaja frantically fumbled to find the release controls for the rack beside her.

"... Well, it’s about time," Kira shakily said, her voice higher-pitched with relief. Oh, that was Kira, trying to make a joke even in this hellhole. “Get me out of this thing, will you-- who is that?” she added, giving the officer a suspicious look as he approached the console.

"He's a friend," Xaja quickly answered as she disabled the restraints on the rack, letting Kira escape the device. "He helped me get this far. Are you all right?"

“I am now,” Kira nodded as she gave Xaja a hug, one tight enough to make the redhead's ribs ache. “I knew you’d come back. You’ve been fighting him enough…”

"We're not done yet, ladies," the officer interrupted as he opened a supply cabinet and pulled out another robe, holding it to Kira. "Get that on and keep your head down. The hangar isn't too far away. The rest of the Sith here don’t know that you’re back to normal, but that won’t last forever."

"What about the rest of my crew?" Xaja asked, worriedly looking at him. "... they're still here, right? They aren't…" I haven't killed them? Force, please…

"Still in the docking bay, locked in cages. We’ll get them out and get the lot of you on your way." The officer waited for Kira to pull the hood over her head, then opened the cell door and looked out. "Coast is clear for the moment. Hurry, before someone finds that psychopath."

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Of all the sounds Xaja had expected to hear as they approached the hangar, blaster fire was not one she had anticipated. "What's going on?" she hissed.

"I'm not sure," the officer whispered, drawing his blaster pistol. "Stay behind me. You," he added to Kira, "duck. Your saberstaff is on the ship."

Xaja grimly nodded and tightened her hand on the Sith saber she carried. It felt so different from her right lightsaber, too bulky and jagged in her hand; but it would do to defend her unarmed Padawan. She rounded the corner after the officer, took a look at the commotion in the hangar bay, and for a second felt panic when she saw the Wrath, and a few Imperial soldiers, some of whom were already dead on the ground, and oh no, Doc and Rusk and T7 all on the ramp of the ship, wielding blasters…

The Wrath held his hand up, and the remaining Imperial soldiers were raised up by their necks, struggling and gasping until Xaja felt their life forces blink out, letting silence descend on the hangar. The Pureblood looked up as the officer entered with his charges, eyes widening minutely in surprise. When Xaja looked over to the officer, he appeared equally startled, both by the Wrath’s presence and the unexpected turning on other Imperial assets, and seemed to be deciding whether or not to shoot the Sith.

The Pureblood finally inclined his head in an understanding nod, which the officer returned as he holstered his weapon. "The alarm will be raised in minutes, Jedi," he said, sounding like this was a perfectly reasonable situation to be found in. "More guards will come, besides the ones I killed freeing your crew. Shall we go before they arrive?"

Xaja’s eyes narrowed as she considered the scene in front of her. The Wrath turning on his own faction to save her crew, aiding and abetting their escape… but he was the fucking Emperor’s Wrath! And she still didn’t trust her own mind or judgement. “Free Master Tol Braga and the rest of my strike team, and I’ll consider it,” she snapped, and ignored the officer’s quiet groan of exasperation beside her.

“If they were here, Jedi,” the Wrath answered as he turned to face her, “I would have liberated them as well.” Xaja tried hard to not reveal her intimidation as he stepped up to her, towering over her petite frame, forcing her to tilt her head up to look him in the eye and trying to ignore the ache in her neck. “Had I wanted, I could have killed you on Quesh. Did you never wonder why I hesitated?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “I have waited over three hundred years to see the face that came to me in a vision. Your face.”

“... I’m never going to understand Sith,” the officer muttered under his breath, sounding as perplexed as Xaja felt.

Xaja shook her head firmly, trying to clear her mind. How the blazes had she shown up in a vision three centuries ago? “You might have mentioned this on Quesh, or in your master’s fortress.”

“I needed to be sure the time had come,” the Wrath answered with a small shrug. “Now I know. There are only a few beings who have ever broken the Emperor’s domination. You and that girl are special,” he added, nodding at Kira.

“Thanks,” Xaja dryly answered, and for a moment felt confused when she sensed a tiny spurt of pride mingled with worry through the Force, not her own emotions. That couldn’t have been from the officer, could it? “And we have the power to destroy your master.”

“Not yet,” the Sith corrected. “Not without my help.” He seemed to sense the confused looks everyone else was giving him. “Though the Emperor conceals his true plans, I have seen them, and that vision has driven me to this.” He didn’t hesitate as he knelt in front of Xaja, ignoring the way her jaw dropped, or how the officer seemed to put his arm out instinctively as though to protect her. “I pledge my loyalty to you. Take me to your Jedi Council on Tython, and I’ll reveal why.”

“What the blazes…” Xaja frowned. “How do I know this isn’t a trap? You’re the bloody Wrath!”

“And I seek to save this galaxy from annihilation.” The Sith sighed when Xaja didn’t seem swayed. “And without my help, your ship will never escape. I can guide you to freedom.”

“... He may have a point,” the officer finally said, his voice low as he spoke to Xaja. “He’ll have codes to get out of this station’s security that not even I have. And not that it might matter to you, but nobody has ever seen him kneel to anyone else over those three hundred years. Even the Emperor himself is questionable.”

… Shit. Xaja sighed and fixed the Wrath with a hard look. “If you’re coming to the Jedi homeworld with us, you’ll be under guard at all times. Don’t attempt anything.” She could sense Rusk sharply nodding his agreement to her left.

“Your flattery is pointless,” the Wrath dryly said as he stood back up, offering the officer a small nod. “I do not seek your people’s deaths -- only their cooperation. But time is a luxury we no longer possess. We must go -- now. I will navigate us through the defense grid.”

I can’t believe I’m doing this. I’m bringing the Emperor’s fucking Wrath on my ship and back to Tython. But if I don’t… if he’s right about the defense grid… Xaja frowned, then offered her crew a terse nod. “Load up. He’s right about needing to leave five minutes ago.” 

“I really hope you know what you’re doing, Red…” Doc muttered as he joined Rusk and Kira in running up the Serenity’s ramp, T7 close behind. The Wrath followed, at what was probably to him a leisurely pace, at a stride that Xaja would have almost had to run to keep up with.

Xaja made to follow the Sith into her ship, but paused on the ramp when she realized the officer hadn’t made to join them. "Are you not coming with us?" she asked, turning back to face him. "What if they find out you helped me?"

He shook his head and offered her a small, tight smile. "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. I have a cover to maintain here, and I’ll be able to slip away in the chaos of the Wrath vanishing. Get going. Don't stop until you're back on Tython."

"Wait--" Xaja hesitated as he paused in the middle of stepping away from the ship. "... Our deal? You said you had a child in the Order you wanted kept safe? Who am I looking for?"

The officer sighed heavily and finally turned to face Xaja fully. "Yes… yes, I did give my only daughter to the Order as a child." To Xaja's surprise, he smiled, even if the gesture was bittersweet. "You get back to Tython safely, and I’ll consider our deal met. That will be enough for me."

What?... Xaja felt her mouth fall open in shock as she tried to process the officer's words. Impossible! He isn't… he's your… how?...

The officer -- her father? -- smiled as he stepped back toward her, setting his hand on her arm and gently squeezing, his eyes soft and kind like she would have never expected to see from an Imperial officer. "You look just like your mum," he quietly said. "She would have been so proud of y--"

An alarm started blaring, ruining the moment. The officer sharply looked back at the hangar entrance, then gave Xaja a firm push up the ramp, his gentle touch vanishing with sudden urgency. "Go!" he sharply whispered, quickly stepping back off the ramp and reaching for his belt. Xaja heard the flick of a stealth generator as she tried to reach back for her resc-- her father, and barely saw his wink before he had completely vanished. His presence in the Force disappeared like he had never been there, and Xaja hesitated for a long moment. How had--

"Red!" That was Doc's yell from up the ramp. "Let's go!"

Xaja shook her head and ran back up into her ship, lingering for one moment longer as the ramp drew up, trying to get one last glimpse of the man who claimed to be her father. Did you know who he was, Master? she silently asked Master Orgus' spirit, and got no answer. If-- when she got back to the Republic, she would have to try and find the identities of her parents, the nebulous father and mother she had never really thought about before. My father's Imperial? Am I Imperial? Why did he save me then -- or give me to the Jedi in the first place? Is he with the SIS? What about my mother? Why did he sound like my mother is dead? 

She had to push her questions down as Rusk piloted the Serenity out of the station with the Wrath navigating -- no, Scourge, as he insisted on being referred to -- and into hyperspace at a speed that could be called reckless. And she had to focus on her questioning of Scourge and why he insisted on leaving the Empire with them -- and no, he said he hadn't known who the officer was. And he wouldn't give her any details as to why he had left with them, which frustrated her. But she didn't have it in her to argue more with the Sith who had helped her escape. She would have to get her answers with the Council's briefing.

The questions about her father came rushing back when she finally staggered into her quarters and threw the terrible Sith lightsabers into a corner, planning to shower until she had scrubbed the touch of the Empire from her skin. The Imperials wouldn't have raided her ship and taken her Jedi clothing, would they? She would burn the robes and lightsabers she had now when she got to Tytho--

Two lightsabers she had never seen before rested on her bed, neatly side by side. They looked to be worn, yet well-maintained, with old signs of weathering distorting some of the decorative engravings in the silver hilt. Xaja cautiously picked one up and ignited it, and felt relief when the blade was bright blue, not crimson. These weren't her old lightsabers (and who knew where those were now. Odds are the Imps would have destroyed them.), but they were still Jedi weapons that would work just fine for her. Better than the Sith ones she had thrown into the corner, at any rate. The one she was holding felt perfect in her hand, as though it had been made specifically for her -- their crystals seemed to resonate with her as though she had chosen them herself on Ilum.

Then she saw the note on the flimsi sheet under the sabers, in someone's strong, neat handwriting. Her heart in her throat, she deactivated the lightsaber in her hand and picked up the note.

These used to be your mother's. She wanted to pass them down to you, if she ever had the chance. I've been holding onto them since she passed in case I got the chance she never had. I wish it had been under better circumstances. 

She would be so proud of you, and the Jedi you've become, if she could meet you. I'm proud enough for both of us. Stay safe, little one.

Dad

Xaja felt herself crumple to the floor, holding her mother's lightsaber in one hand and the note from her father in the other, tears making the letters in his handwriting blurry until she couldn't read it anymore. For a long moment, grief welled up beside her lingering fear and trauma -- grief for the mother she would never meet, and grief for the lost chance to know her father. Odds were she would never get to meet her father again, or thank him for saving her life. How did one of her parents, who hadn't seen her since she had been a baby, manage to track her down as an adult and rescue her? Why would her father have cared about the child he had given to the Order so long ago? 

And if the lightsabers, so obviously not Sith in design, had been her mother's… was her mother a Jedi? Then why had nobody on Tython ever mentioned it?

Filled with more questions than answers, Xaja curled up in a tight ball, holding the only two tokens from her parents she had ever held. I hope he didn't get caught, she silently pleaded to the Force. Please, let my… let my father have gotten out of there safely, please…

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The message from Marcus himself came in a week later -- which was a nice change from the last few messages that all seemed to centre around telling Reanden off for putting official galaxy-altering missions on hold for personal pet projects that had a high risk of getting him killed. "Fine, you did a nice job jailbreaking. The Council is happy to have their star back... even with a hell of a stowaway. My point still stands: you’re still a dick."

Reanden wearily smiled and hid the encrypted message in his personal files as he piloted the Shadow toward Belsavis. One of his children was safe, even if her brothers were still unaccounted for. He would have to be satisfied with that for the time being, even if he knew the odds were that he would probably never be able to meet his daughter again in-person. As long as she was safe, he could deal with that. Stay safe, baby girl.

[emma-nation]

Bloodline - KamilahxMC Fanfiction (Chapter 4) *Ending*

Summary: A Feral attack, a mysterious serum and a big mistake… what consequences will it bring to Kamilah’s life and her relationship with Amy?

Rating: T

KamilahxMC Tag List: @iam-the-fuckin-queen, @annabellewerecorgi, @voltos9, @scorpistraub, @leavemeandmyshipsalone, @jen825, @andreear17, @spacecarrousel, @justejuste727, @aureliaxj, @graceschoices, @sleeping-with-her06, @supersphynxsworld, @gavryllo, @galaxyside-0, @msuhailey, @zoe6111, @ptxgirwaffles, @tigerbryn11, @shanuuh, @ilovetaylor13m, @honorablebicycle, @ilovekamilahsayeed, @fal-carrington, @begging-for-kamilah, @kennaxval

The Battle - 1 month later, 6 PM

Struggling with severe pain, Kamilah reached for her cell phone and dialed Adrian’s number.

“Adrian… that’s me…” she lay on the couch, but it wouldn’t bring her any relief, “my assistant… she betrayed me! I’m losing my child… help me.”

In less than 10 minutes Adrian was already by her office’s door, trying to break it down.

“Kamilah, I can’t open it,” he shouted from outside. “What’s going on?”

“That traitor…” Kamilah’s eyes flared red in anger, “she must have activated the security locks.”

Dragging herself around her office, she managed to get to her computer and disable all the security system, what helped Adrian to get in.

“Let me check you,” though Adrian wasn’t a doctor, he examined her briefly. “You… You’re having an hemorrhage. If we don’t do something quickly…”

Kamilah can’t quite remember the next few minutes, between the drive to Raines Corporation and the arrival of a doctor, who worked for Adrian. She was wincing and sweating cold in pain. Her mind couldn’t focus on anything else. Meanwhile they discussed the best procedure to attempt to save her son.

The doctor placed her on IV fluids, with a medication that would neutralize the effects of the abortive substance she ingested and ease her pain.

“I’m so sorry, Kamilah,” Adrian squeezed her hand. “This is all my fault. I’ll never be able to forgive myself if…”

“That’s okay,” Kamilah lied. Deep down, she was falling apart. As usual, she was only doing her best to hide it. “Vampires aren’t meant to be parents for a reason, Adrian.”

“This isn’t true. You could’ve… You will be an incredible mom.”

She fought a smile. Suddenly, she remembered an important detail she was missing.

“Can you call Amy for me? Somebody needs to inform her."

He sighed and went to his office to make the call.

The doctor returned to conduct more exams. Kamilah looked at the monitor by her side, displaying her vitals and her baby’s vitals too. While hers were completely steady, his heart rate was abnormally high, showing signs of distress and agony. The doctor was surprised he was still alive.

When she was alone, she placed her hand over her stomach once again.

"So little and having to fight such a hard battle…” she told. “We’ve got a lot in common after all.”

Her mother also had a difficult birth when she and Lysimachus were born. With a fragile health, common for that era, she died only a few years later, when they were only 7 years old. Her father was mostly at war, leaving them at the care of his siblings and closest relatives, who never really cared about their well-being. They had thrones to be conquered and wars to be won, so she and Lysimachus basically raised themselves. Her twin brother was everyone she had. No one had been able to fill the emptiness his death left inside her soul. Until she met Amy.

“Kamilah!” The girl appeared by the laboratory’s door, her eyes were wide in scare. “A-Are you alright? How is…”

She looked at the monitors.

“The doctor just checked on us. He’s not in a good shape, Amy.”

“But…"

Tears started falling from the girl’s eyes. That destroyed Kamilah more than the fact she had been betrayed itself.

"I… uhhh…” Kamilah attempted to find an excuse to make her feel better. “I should have been more cautious with people surrounding me. Of course they’d hear the rumors.”

Her words didn’t comfort Amy at all.

“Hey,” Kamilah reached for her hand. “No matter what happens, I want you to know how much I appreciated these weeks we’ve grown closer. They made me realize I want to…”

Before she could finish, Adrian entered the room followed by the doctor.

“Kamilah, how are you feeling?” Adrian asked.

“I feel no more pain.”

“It’s a good signal. Your body is fighting off the substance, now we must see how the baby will react.”

Time enough had passed for the medication to be effective. The following hours were decisive.

When Kamilah woke up after some sleep, the doctor was ready to conduct more tests. She felt a heaviness in her chest, thinking that her son could not be alive anymore. That she wouldn’t even have the chance of seeing his face and analyze what features he had inherited from her or Amy.

The device was pressed on her belly and that sweet, comforting sound echoed again around the room. Kamilah smiled and Amy broke down in tears again.

“He’s perfectly fine,” the doctor announced. “As if he had never been affected.”

“He’s… He descends from the tree,” Adrian added. “It means…”

“He’s immune to almost everything,” Kamilah completed, “except for the tree itself.”

“Exactly.”

———-

The Proposal - 3 months later, 8 PM

Being 5 months pregnant, it was time for Kamilah to make the official announcement to the press. She could hide it for a little bit longer, if she wanted. For Amy’s frustration, her body shape wouldn’t let her belly show too much. Depending on the clothes she was wearing, no one could notice yet.

Anyways, sooner or later, the story about her pregnancy would leak and she wanted to avoid the stress of dealing with paparazzi. She scheduled an interview with a magazine, right after confirming a dinner with Amy’s parents that night.

They couldn’t tell them the whole truth. But they mentioned a research Adrian was doing, mixing both of their DNAs and how it was accidentally injected on Kamilah. All the part related to Vampires and the Tree Of Eternal Life was omitted.

At first, they were in shock and concerned about Amy, for being so young and unprepared.

“Don’t worry about that, Mrs. Parker,” Kamilah assured. “I can guarantee you Amy is more than prepared to be a mom. She has been taking a very good care of me, I mean… us, in the last few months.”

After that, they both became emotional with the news. It was less tense as Kamilah imagined, they even seemed to like her. Amy’s father was very interested in her company and how she managed to control a global business so easily. Amy’s mother was already making plans for the baby’s room and telling how much she’d love to help with the decoration. Between all that conversation, Kamilah decided it was time to drop the question.

“Mr. and Mrs. Parker,” she cleared her throat. “The reason why I asked Amy to schedule this dinner was not only to announce our pregnancy. There’s another matter I’d like to discuss with you.”

Amy looked at her confused.

“What is it, Kamilah?” Amy’s father asked.

“As much as I appreciate the wonders of the modern world Amy is always introducing me to, I think some formality should be preserved. So, would you both grant me permission to ask your daughter to marry me?”

“Kamilah, you don’t have to…” Amy interrupted, already breaking down in tears. It impressed Kamilah how she became more emotional with motherhood, even if she was the one carrying the baby.

“Of course,” Amy’s father nodded. “My daughter couldn’t have picked a better wife.”

“Yes,” following her daughter’s reaction, Amy’s mother was crying too. “My little girl… she has never looked so happy before. And since she started dating you, she has grown so much. You’ve made her a serious and responsible woman.”

“Mom, the embarrassment, please.”

Kamilah took a small velvet box from the pocket of her suit and opened it, revealing a ring with a huge diamond on it.

“Amy, will you marry me?” She finally asked.

“A million times yes!” Amy embraced her tightly, after Kamilah slipped the ring on her finger.

———-

The Arrival - 7 months later, 7 PM

Like Kamilah herself, her son was very punctual. He decided to make his entrance to this world by the exact date he was supposed to born. And he couldn’t have picked a better time, just when Kamilah had finished an important business meeting.

As her water broke and her contractions started, Amy placed her inside one of the company’s cars and started to drive through the New York traffic like a maniac. If the pain didn’t kill Kamilah first, her fiancée would certainly do. They stopped in front of Raines Corporation and an employee came to help, taking them to the laboratories. A doctor was already waiting.

“It hurts…” Kamilah grimaced. “I’ve been beaten, shot, stabbed, burned… nothing ever hurt like this!”

“Y-You need to stay calm…” Amy suggested, “a-and breathe… j-just like this…”

“Are you telling this to me or yourself?”

“Both. God, I feel I’m going to faint.”

Amy paced nervously around the room, torn between supporting Kamilah and avoid looking too much.

“Okay,” the doctor told Kamilah. “I can almost feel him. I need you to push harder.”

Kamilah had suddenly lost all her strength. She was consumed by pain. All she desired were more and more pain killers. For a second, she wondered if the pregnancy had turned her back to a mortal.

“I-I can’t…” she told between pants. “I can’t do this…”

“Of course you can!” Amy squeezed hard on her hand. “Kamilah, you’ve fought wars, you’ve lead revolutions, you’re the CEO of an empire. You can do anything.”

“Oh Amy, that’s sweet. But none of it has caused THIS much of pain!”

She took a deep breath and continued to push, as harder as she could. Minutes later, the doctor was holding her baby boy in his arms.

He didn’t cry much. Only enough to let them know he was perfectly healthy. The first time Kamilah held that little creature, her entire world changed. She realized she had been wrong, all this time. She hadn’t experienced everything that was to feel. That feeling was something entirely new. The best feeling she ever had in over two thousand years of life.

“He’s perfect,” her thumb gently caressed the baby’s face.

“He…” Amy was sobbing so much could barely speak. “He… is…”

“He’s a perfect mix of you and me.”

Adrian was standing in the corner of the room, in tears too.

“Come here,” Amy called him and the two hugged each other tightly. “Kamilah has brought a champagne bottle in the car. We need to celebrate.”

“Congratulations, you both,” he smiled. “It’s a gorgeous and strong boy.”

“Would you like to hold him?” Kamilah asked. That was the right thing to do. Besides giving her son life, Adrian was also the most supportive uncle in the last few months.

Adrian nodded and took the baby boy in his arms. Kamilah could tell there was a little bit of pain in his smile, from remembering of his son, Charles.

“Such a handsome and tough guy can only have an important name, have you decided yet?” He asked both Kamilah and Amy.

“I’ve always wanted to honor my brother, but that would be quite a complicated name for these times. So, I’m honoring somebody else. Someone that deserves to be honored as much as my brother…”

Amy gave her an approving nod.

“Adrian, this is Malik Charles Sayeed.”

“And Malik,” she took her baby boy back, as Adrian could no longer hold his emotions. “This is your uncle Adrian. I have a strange feeling you’ll get along very well…”

———-

The Boy - 3 years later, 4:30 PM

With Amy by her side, Kamilah toasted to another great contract she managed to close. Since her wife had joined her in the company, Ahmanet Financial was only growing and improving, worldwide.

Amy glanced at her cell phone, with a worried look on her face.

“Kamilah, it’s one of the caretakers,” she told. “Malik isn’t in the educational space.”

“What?!” Kamilah shouted. “You check the building. I’ll go to my office and check the security cameras.”

Kamilah’s heart was thundering inside her chest. Since the incident with Erin, she could trust absolutely no one to look after her son.

Genetically speaking, he was a Vampire, but he only displayed a few signs. Malik would never get sick and everytime he got hurt, the wound would instantly heal. He never showed fangs, red eyes or desire for blood. Yet. Adrian thought it was possible someday. If something triggered the full transition. He also got some Bloodkeeper abilities, even being a male. For her luck, he was only able to access the most recent memories of a Vampire.

Besides that, he was the only heir of one the largest and most successful companies in America. He was an easy target for kidnapping.

She opened her office’s door, ready to lunge directly at her desk. But there was he, together with his personal caretaker. A vampire from Kamilah’s clan, who was forced to leave her family behind when she was Turned. She cared for Malik as her own son.

“Mrs. Sayeed,” Carrie told. “He was very bored after he finished his activities before the rest of the children. He became disruptive and insisted on coming to your office.”

“This little stubborn brat…” Kamilah frowned, still affected by the scare. “You can go, Carrie. I’ll handle him.”

Malik was innocently playing at her desk, dialing false numbers on her phone and trying to mimic her with his sweet three years old voice.

“Ahmanet Finances. Mr. Sayeed speaking.”

Upon that, the frown quickly disappeared from Kamilah’s face.

Her son was kind and loving, never showing any aggressiveness against a single person. Inheriting Amy’s personality, he was very sociable and communicative. And he certainly had Kamilah’s brains, being good with numbers and puzzles since very early.

“Hey,” Kamilah called his attention. “What are you doing here?”

“Mama!” He stopped what he was doing to jump straight into her arms. “I missed you.”

“Oh. I missed you too.”

She took him back to her desk, holding him in her arms. Malik was growing so quickly she could swear it would stop being possible anytime soon.

“I made a drawing,” he told, excited.

“Really? Let me see it.”

Kamilah took the paper in her hands. All she could see were a bunch of scrawls that resembled human shapes. Malik started to point the people he drew.

“That’s me, you and mama Amy. Here’s uncle Adrian, auntie Lily and uncle Jax.”

Something in the corner of the drawing called Kamilah’s attention. Unlike of the rest of that drawing, that figure was easy to distinguish. She felt a shiver going down her spine.

“And here, Malik. What is it?”

“A tree.”

“Have you…” she swallowed hard. “Have you seen this tree before?”

The boy nodded.

“In my dreams.”

“And how does it make you feel? Do you like it? Do it scares you?”

The boy was pensive for a moment before laughing to himself.

“No, mama. It’s just a tree.”

“Okay.”

Keeping the drawing on her desk, she started to think if that should be a sign of concern or not. Also descending from Rheya, Amy had visions about the tree all the time and she never turned evil. So why would her son? Kamilah shrugged, letting go of her thoughts.

“Mama, I wanna play,” Malik looked at her with puppy dog eyes.

“What game would you like to play?” Kamilah asked, already knowing the answer.

“You know.”

Kamilah sighed and took something from her secret drawer. Her brother’s wooden toy.

“Close your eyes,” she ordered. “I’m gonna hide it somewhere in this office. If you find it, you’ll get a prize.”

“Ice cream?” Malik asked, covering his eyes with his tiny hands.

“Yes,” Kamilah rolled her eyes. “Ice cream.”

That kid knew how to trick Kamilah into give him what he wanted just well. She hid the toy behind a plant vase, an easy spot for her son to find.

“Ready?” She asked.

The boy nodded. Before started searching, he discreetly gave a quick touch on his mother’s hand. Closing his eyes, he could see exactly where the wooden toy was placed.

“Found it,” he went to the exact spot Kamilah hid the toy. “I win!”

She rolled her eyes and complained, realizing what he had just done.

“You and Amy are no fun to play with. But okay, you’ve won. Let’s find mama Amy and get your ice cream.”

———-

Notes: I considered doing an epilogue, showing Malik’s full Turning when he’s 18 years old, but let’s end this with a happy ending, right? ;)

[tuiiiya]

Can I put a camera outside my apartment door Ontario?

In the age of social media, many people take videos and photos of their everyday lives - from the inside of their homes to the streets they walk. But is it legal to take such pictures and videos without the consent of those in them? In most cases, the answer is yes. However, there are a few exceptions where taking photographs or videos without consent may be illegal - such as when a person's privacy is being invaded or when they're under 18 years old and not legally able to give consent.

Can you put a camera on your door?

When you move into a new home, one of the first things you'll want to do is decorate. You can choose to go with traditional decorations or go with something more unique and personal. One way to add a little bit of personality to your home is by adding a camera on your door.

This is a great way to not only keep an eye on who's coming and going but also to create some fun memories with your friends and family. For example, you could hang a picture of your favorite sports team or have a sign that reads "Welcome to my home" and have people write their names on it. You can then put the pictures up on your wall and create some really fun memories. What are the benefits of using security cameras? You should visit www.aimprivacy.com/ blog for details information.Can neighbors have security cameras towards your house in Ontario?

In Ontario, homeowners are allowed to install security cameras to monitor activity on their property. However, there are a few restrictions that must be followed. The camera must be directed toward the property owner or their authorized representative, and the footage cannot be released to third parties without the consent of the individual or entity being filmed. Additionally, the cameras must not infringe on any other person's right to privacy.

Security cameras help provide a sense of security to people, especially those who are concerned about the safety or privacy of their families. If you're in this situation, it's best to hire a professional company to install and maintain your security system. Professional security cameras are a necessity for businesses and landlords who want to protect their properties. If you own or manage a building, it's important that you invest in surveillance equipment.

Can landlords put cameras in common areas Ontario?

Landlords in Ontario can put cameras in common areas, as long as they are for the purpose of security and not used to spy on tenants. In order to use the cameras, landlords must get written consent from tenants and post notices informing tenants of the cameras’ existence and how to access them. Landlords and tenants need to be aware of the fact that anyone can access private areas of a building through the cameras.

This means that even if you are not on-site, you may still be recorded by your landlord or property manager.

Can you put a ring camera on an apartment?

If you're considering installing a Ring Doorbell outside your home, you may be wondering if the camera can also be placed inside your apartment. The short answer is yes, but there are some caveats that should be taken into account before making the decision.

The ring is a relatively new brand of security cameras and doorbells, so it's likely that not all of their products are compatible with each other. In fact, according to the Ring support website, "The Doorbell & Camera app does not work with Echo Show or Fire TV Stick." This means that if you have one of these devices in your home, you'll need to disable its video streaming capabilities before attaching the Ring Doorbell to it.

If you have an Amazon Echo or Fire TV Stick, however, attaching the Ring Doorbell is a much simpler process.

What you should consider before installing a camera?

Before you install a camera, there are a few things you should consider. First and foremost, make sure the camera is compatible with your home’s wiring. Second, make sure the camera has the features you need and is placed where you want it. Third, be aware of your privacy rights when installing a camera. Fourth, be aware of security risks associated with cameras and their footage. Fifth, be aware of how to erase the footage from a camera if needed. Sixth, know who to call if something goes wrong with your camera installation or use.

Conclusion

Can I put a camera outside my apartment door Ontario? In most cases, you are allowed to have a surveillance camera in your home, as long as it is approved by the police and meets certain conditions. The privacy commissioner has determined that there is a limited right to videotape one's residence without the consent of others. This right exists for security reasons, in order to protect your property and to protect your privacy.

[hotelload494]

Echo 3 Cyclocomputer Manual

If you've landed on this page, it means that the Amazon Echo setup process is giving you a hard time too. You are not alone. Many people are having issues setting up Amazon Echo and Alexa.

You need the Alexa app or the website to complete the setup process. Although the Echo setup process is quite easy, if you skip some minor steps, you are doomed.

Set Up Amazon Echo and Alexa Properly Step 1. Install the Alexa app and Plug-in Amazon Echo. Install the Alexa app on your Android or iOS device.But, don’t open it yet. The ECHO 3 manages to give that “crisp” casting feel without losing its ability to tell you it’s loading when it’s “GO TIME!” Tim's 'Go-To' Freshwater Sticks Whether you’re spring creeking a 3wt or nymphing the big rigs for steelhead on the 10′ 8wt, this battle-tested series is our cream of the crop.

Many times, the Alexa app is stuck on the white screen and doesn’t let you complete the setup process. Other times, you will see that the ring light is stuck on blue when you actually need the orange light to start the setup process. But don’t worry. We are here to help you.

In this post, we have mentioned some solutions to ease out the Amazon Echo setup process.

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1. Set Up Amazon Echo and Alexa Properly

Step 1. Install the Alexa app and Plug-in Amazon Echo

Install the Alexa app on your Android or iOS device. But, don’t open it yet. Plug the Amazon Echo device into an electric socket. It will light up and the ring will turn blue for a minute or two. Once the ring turns yellowish orange, launch the Alexa app that you just installed on your phone.

Step 2. Launch the Alexa App and Sign in

When you launch the Alexa app, you'll be asked to sign in using your Amazon account. If you have an Amazon account, use your existing credentials. If, however, you are a new user, create a new Amazon account.

Halo custom edition download. Then choose your Echo device and language on the follow-up screens.By the way, here's a neat guide to Stream and Sync Songs from Multiple Devices

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Step 3. Wait for Orange Light on Echo

After that, you'll be asked to connect to Wi-Fi on the screen that says 'Begin Echo Setup'. Tap the Connect to Wi-Fi button. You will then be taken to the Wait for the orange light ring screen.

If your Amazon Echo device is showing the orange light, well and good. However, if your echo device is stuck in the blue light ring, press the Action button of your Echo device for 5-10 seconds until you get the orange light ring. Then, tap the Continue button on your Alexa app.

Step 4. Manually Connect to Amazon Wi-Fi

You'll then be taken to the Manually connect to Echo screen. This step is very crucial and it's important to follow it carefully.

Here’s what you need to do. Leave the Alexa app and open the Wi-Fi Settings on your phone. Under Wi-Fi connections, you'll see a new Wi-Fi connection with the name Amazon-xxx, where 'x' can be any digit.

Note: It may take up to two minutes to show this new connection name under your Wi-Fi Settings. Kindly have patience.

Then, tap this connection to connect. As soon as you tap the connection, your Echo device will then say her first words that you are connected. But, that’s not even the end of the story.

Once you connect to this Amazon Wi-Fi, you'll get a notification saying Wi-Fi has no Internet access on Android. Tap the notification and select Yes from the pop-up menu. This step is also extremely important. If you don’t tap the notification and press Yes, you will face the Wi-Fi setup issue on Echo.

If, somehow, you missed the Wi-Fi has no Internet access notification and your Echo is now showing the violet light ring, hold the Action button on your Echo device to enter setup mode again.

Then, repeat the steps mentioned above and this time make sure to tap the Wi-Fi has no Internet access notification followed by selecting Yes from the menu. Once you tap Yes, go back to the Alexa app and you will be connected successfully. Tap the Continue button.

Step 5. Connect to Home/Office Wi-Fi

You'll then be asked to select your Wi-Fi network. Tap your Wi-Fi network and enter the password. If you want to you can also save your Wi-Fi password to Amazon. Finally, hit the Connect button.

Your Echo device will then finish the setup process and you'll be notified on the next screen that the setup is complete. Tap the Continue button. That’s all you have to do to set up Echo and Alexa without any issue.

Also Read:How to Setup and Use FTP Server on Android

If you follow the above-mentioned steps, hopefully, Amazon Echo will work perfectly fine for you. If you're still facing issues, follow these fixes.

2. Uninstall Alexa From Your Phone

If you're stuck in the white screen on your Alexa app and even waiting for some time doesn’t remove the white screen, you should try uninstalling the Alexa app from your device. To uninstall Alexa, follow the usual methods to uninstall the app from the iPhone or an Android device.

3. Disable Smart Network or Smart Wi-Fi Switcher

On some devices like Samsung and OnePlus, you need to disable the Smart Network Wi-Fi setting. To do so, follow the steps:

Step 1: If you're stuck on the setup process, leave the Alexa app and open device Settings.

Step 2: Go to the Wi-Fi Settings of your phone. In older Samsung phones, you'll find Smart network switch on this screen itself. Uncheck the option if it's on.

Echo 3 Cyclocomputer Manual Transmission

On the new Samsung devices, tap the three-dot menu at the top-right corner or tap Advanced Settings. Turn off the Smart Network option or Switch to mobile data as it is called now. Go back to the Alexa app and it should be connected. Similarly, look for the Smart Wi-Fi Switcher option in the OnePlus Wi-Fi Settings.

Also on Guiding Tech

Echo 3 Cyclocomputer Manual Transmission

#Amazon Echo='bp-purple>

Click here to see our Amazon Echo articles page

4. Change Date and Time of Your Phone

Many times due to a conflict in the date and time of your phone, Alexa and Echo do not complete the setup process properly. You have to change the date and time settings on your device from Manual to Automatic.

To do so, open the device settings of your phone and navigate to the Date and time settings. Enable the toggle for Automatic date & time. Meanwhile, if you are looking for a calendar app, here's our comparison between Google Calendar and SolCalendar.

5. Update Android System Webview

A normal user will never think of updating the apps if they are facing setup issue on their Echo. However, surprisingly, you have to update an app (if an update exists) to fix this issue. You need to update the Android System Webview from the Play Store.

To do so, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Play Store app on your device and search for Android System Webview.

Step 2: If you see an update button for Android System Webview, tap it to update the app. Once updated, try setting up Amazon Echo and Alexa again.

6. Disable Ad Guards and VPNs

If your device has ad guards or VPN installed, you need to disable them while setting up Amazon Echo and Alexa. Once disabled, try the setup process mentioned in the first fix. Meanwhile, if you're looking for VPN Android app, check these out.

Also on Guiding Tech

How to Create a Photo Slideshow on Amazon Echo Show

Read More

7. Set Up Alexa From the Website

If none of the above-mentioned fixes resolve your Echo problem, try setting up Echo from the website instead of the app. On your PC, open the Alexa website and sign in with your Amazon account.

Interestingly, the site and apps have a similar user interface (UI). Click the Settings option present in the left menu followed by Set up a new device. Then, follow the guided setup and you are good to go.

Echo 3 Cyclocomputer Manual Treadmill

If you don’t have PC, don’t worry. You can use the website on your phone too. Open Chrome on your phone and tap the three-dot icon in the top bar. Then, select the Request desktop site option.

Now, open the Alexa website and follow the instructions to set up a new device. Once you've successfully set up Echo, you can then use the Alexa app normally.

Fix It

We hope you're able to setup Amazon Echo successfully. Once you start using Echo, in case you want to delete voice data from Echo, here's how to do it. If you need any other help related to Amazon Echo, do let us know.

Echo 3 Cyclocomputer Manual Pdf

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read Next3 Easy Steps to Delete Voice Search History on Google Home and EchoAlso See#amazon #Amazon Echo

Did You Know

You can ask Google Home and Amazon Alexa to make to-do lists

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Amazon Echo’s Common Issues and Their Solutions

Amazon Echo is a great product to have, but it’s Alexa voice assistant can potentially give you some troubles. There are times when Alexa doesn’t understand the speaker’s commands, which happens quite often, or it does something opposite or unrelated to what she has been asked. It can be frustrating to repeat your commands over and over again and still not getting the desired results. There are many more issues that the Echo users face specifically with Alexa rather than the device. Follow our guide below to know how you can get rid of some of the most commonly frustrating issues on Amazon Echo.

Light Ring

At times, Alexa wakes up without any command, which is unusual because it always requires a wake-up command, like Alexa, Echo, Computer, or Amazon. You may have noticed the LED light ring at the top of the device lighting up. This light shows on the device only when Alexa is awake. In this case, notice the color of the light showing up on the device. Each colored light depicts a different story. Red color indicates that the microphone is off; thus, Alexa cannot hear your commands. Spinning Violet color suggests the problem in Wi-Fi set-up, and spinning orange means that the device is trying to connect to the network. Methods to fix these issues are mentioned further in the article.

Wi-Fi connectivity issues

Poor performance by router and modem can be the cause of Amazon Echo’s disconnection from the Wi-Fi. The first thing you will be required to do is unplug and then reboot all the devices, including Echo, router, and modem. After twenty seconds, plug-in all the devices back to their place. Then stream song, audio, or engage your Echo device into tasks to ensure that everything works fine. If this doesn’t work, try relocating Echo far from electronics and move it closer to the router. The basic idea is to move the Echo away from metal objects. If you notice any interference while connecting it with smart home devices, try switching it to 5GHz. Some of your smart home devices might not work best with 5GHz. In that case, turn the Echo to 2.5GHz. If neither of these works, try the factory reset or contact your internet service provider.

Cannot connect to smart home devices

Over the last few months, Amazon has extended its support to various smart home devices to make it comfortable for the users. If some of your smart home devices don’t have the skills to connect to Echo, try connecting to Alexa’s official channel called IFTTT, where you can find support and integration for the rest of your devices. Despite the connectivity, Amazon Echo might fail to connect your smart home device. In this case, check the commands as they may vary from device-to-device, or there could be some software or network issues that can be resolved via a reboot and re-adding the devices to Echo. To do that, follow these steps.

Go to the Alexa     app and click on Devices.

·         Click on ‘Add Devices’ to select the devices.

·         The rest of the instructions will appear on your screen. Follow them carefully.

Voice Command issues

Often when Alexa doesn’t understand your commands, it responds with, “I’m sorry, I didn’t quite get that.” Fortunately, there is a feature in Alexa that allows you to ask Alexa what is heard. If you want to know, say, “Alexa, tell me what you heard.” To solve this issue, try using the Voice Training tool under Your Profile settings on the Alexa app. It will ask you to read 25 phrases loudly in a particular voice from a distance to customize your Alexa experience. Also, make sure there is silence when you give commands to Alexa. Keep your Echo away from household appliances to eliminate interference.

Music streaming issues

Users can stream music from a third-party app, such as TuneIn, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Pandora. All of these services work fine with Alexa except for Spotify. Again, rebooting the speakers is the best way to get rid of this issue, temporarily. After reboot, sign out and sign in your Spotify account from Alexa by going to the Alexa app settings. Follow these steps to unlink your Spotify account:

From the     Settings menu, go to Music.

Click on Spotify     and select Disable Skill.

Confirm your     choice by clicking on Disable.

To sign in again, follow the same steps mentioned above, and click on Enable to Use. These were some issues that might resonate with your Echo device. If none of the above-mentioned steps, methods, or tricks help you, contact Amazon for help. Or, it might be time for you to get a new Amazon Echo device.

Source URL - Amazon Echo’s Common Issues and Their Solutions

[tak4hir0]

Affiliate Disclosure: By buying the products we recommend, you help keep the lights on at MakeUseOf. Read more. Is your Android phone always listening to you? Does Google keep a log of everything you say? And if so, what can you do about it? In an age where every device has a microphone and they’re made by companies who love to track what you do, these are valid questions. Let’s take a look at the facts behind Google’s recordings and how to stop your phone from listening to you. Is Google Always Listening on Android?Before we continue, we should explain what exactly Google records from your Android device. If you have a certain setting enabled on your phone, saying OK Google will cause it to listen for a command. Before you say this wake phrase, your phone is listening for the OK Google hotword, but it is not recording everything you say and uploading it to Google. Just like with concerns over the Amazon Echo, constantly recording everything a device hears would result in enormous amounts of useless data. Even if you don’t have the OK Google hotword enabled, you can still use voice commands (which Google records too). Tapping the microphone icon on the search bar or holding the Home button to open Google Assistant will both immediately prompt you for a voice command. What Google does record are the voice commands you say to your phone. If you say OK Google, how old is Jack Black?, Google holds onto the question and a few seconds of prior audio. How Do I Listen to My Google Recordings?Google provides a portal for you to view all your interactions with its services. This includes voice recordings of your interactions with Google Assistant. You can view this on your phone through the Google category in the Settings app, but it’s a bit easier on the web: Head to the Google My Activity page. You’ll see everything from YouTube videos you’ve watched to apps you’ve opened on your phone. Apply a filter to only show voice recordings by clicking Filter by date & product at the top, under the search bar. Next, click Deselect All under Filter by Google product, then select only Voice and Audio. Click Apply. You’ll then see a timeline of all the recordings Google has of your voice, starting with the most recent. Click Details under an entry to see when it occurred, then choose View recording to hear it. By default, this page bundles close events together. Click a bundle to expand it if necessary, or choose Item view at the top-left to see them all individually. How to Stop Google From Listening on AndroidYou can disable Google’s voice recording with a certain toggle in your Android settings. If you like, you can also go further after changing this. Turn Off “OK Google” on Your PhoneThe first is to turn off the OK Google detection on your phone, which you can do by performing the following: Open Settings on your phone and enter the Google category. Under Services, select Account services. Next, tap Search, Assistant & Voice. Hit Voice on the resulting page. You’ll see a Voice Match entry; tap it. Disable the Access with Voice Match slider to disable OK Google detection. You may also want to disable While driving to prevent it in Google Maps and Android Auto, though it is convenient in those scenarios. If you want to erase Google’s profile of your voice used for this feature, select Delete voice model. Once you do this, Google Assistant will not respond to OK Google. Previously, it still would when you had the Google app open, but in our testing it did not respond even with Google search open or on the home screen. Your phone thus will no longer always be listening for the hotword. Turn Off Microphone Access for the Google AppTo go further, you can deny the Google app permission to access your microphone: Open Settings on your phone and select Apps & notifications. Tap See all X apps to get a full list. Scroll down to Google and select it. Tap Permissions and select the Microphone option. Choose to Deny the permission. Disable Google AssistantIf you’d like, you can completely disable the Google Assistant instead: Open Settings on your phone and enter the Google category. Select Search, Assistant & Voice. Tap Google Assistant. Switch to the Assistant tab along the top. Scroll down to the Assistant devices section and choose your device name (likely Phone). Slide the Google Assistant toggle off to disable it. Turn Off Google Voice HistoryTurning off OK Google or Google Assistant on your Android phone doesn’t do anything for other devices you may own, such as a tablet or Google Home device. Plus, Google can still keep voice data if you search by voice in Chrome. To pause voice history for your entire Google account, perform the following steps: Visit Google’s Activity Controls page and sign into your account if needed. Find the Web & App Activity section. Uncheck the box labeled Include voice and audio recordings to prevent Google from linking your voice activity with your account. Doing this will limit Google from storing voice-related functions with your account, which is your objective in the first place. Once you do this, you should also delete the past recordings Google has kept. Be aware that doing this will delete all web activity connected to your Google account, not just voice recordings. To delete past activity: Return to the Google My Activity page. Click Delete activity by on the left side. Select All time to delete everything, or Custom range to define your own time period. Click Delete to erase everything you’ve selected. Automatically Delete Google History After a Set TimeGoogle now allows you to automatically delete activity after a certain amount of time has passed. This reduces the amount of information the company keeps about you without you having to do it manually all the time. On the same Google My Activity page, click Choose to delete automatically. This lets you choose to delete your activity after three months, 18 months, or only when you delete it manually. This isn’t necessary if you’ve turned off voice data, as discussed above. If you left voice data enabled, keep in mind that this will remove all web activity, not just voice recordings. What Does Google Do With Voice Data?It’s important to note that aside from Google, only you can access your voice data. That is, of course, unless Google was breached. Google explains that it uses your voice activity to help you get better results across its products, in ways like: Learning the sound of your voice. Understanding how you say words and phrases. Recognizing when you say OK Google. Improving speech recognition across Google products that use your voice. This is all useful, but a giant corporation keeping records of what you say is nonetheless concerning. An algorithm could easily parse through this information to figure out what you’re interested in based on what you say. It’s possible that voice data is also used for targeted ads Does Your Phone Listen to You for Ads? (Or Is It Just Coincidence?) Does Your Phone Listen to You for Ads? (Or Is It Just Coincidence?) Your phone has a built-in microphone, but is it listening to you? Is your smartphone sharing your secrets with Google or Facebook? Read More . Using Google Without VoiceUnless you turn off Google Assistant, you can still enjoy its benefits even without using your voice. After you’ve opened Google Assistant, tap the keyboard icon in the corner. This lets you type out a command for Google Assistant. It will respond just like if you had spoken it. This isn’t as convenient, but that’s the cost of increased privacy. Of course, by using Google Assistant at all, Google is still able to see what you’re interested in and track you. If you’d rather avoid this, try DuckDuckGo instead. Is My Phone Listening? You’re in ControlWe’ve gone over what Google listens for on your Android phone, how to delete your voice history data, and the methods for stopping this recording. You may suffer a bit of inconvenience by disabling these features, but knowing that Google isn’t keeping a log of what you say is worth it. If you’re concerned about other methods Google uses to know what you’re up to, check out additional ways Google can track you. For a completely Google-free phone, we have a guide on how to use Android and ditch Google How to Use Android Without Google: Everything You Need to Know How to Use Android Without Google: Everything You Need to Know Want to use Android without Google? No Google, no problem. Here's a guide to going Google-free on your Android device to regain privacy. Read More .

[marconixon70]

How to Enable Alexa Song ID Feature in UK and US

Amazon has recently released Song ID in the UK. This useful feature enables people to find out which song is playing.

The new Alexa feature is presently available only to those living in the US and UK. The voice assistant can now tell the users the name of the song and artist before the track plays. This will help you locate and identify newly released tracks.

In order to listen to songs with Alexa, you have to make specific requests. For instance, you have to say, “Alexa, play You Were Mine by Dixie Chicks.” Issues begin to surface when the smart assistant automatically plays the following track. In case you are not familiar with the music, then you have to ask Alexa about it.

The newly added feature will resolve these problems. Now you will not have to ask Alexa about the song that gets played automatically after the one you requested.

What is Alexa’s Song ID about?

When you turn on the new feature, the voice assistance shall speak out the song and artist name before the song plays. If you love asking Alexa to play a certain song and then enjoy the other songs that get played, then you will love this feature. However, you can use the Song ID feature only with two services: Amazon Prime Music and Amazon Music Unlimited.

It is speculated that the company has data which shows that the users frequently ask Amazon Alexa which song is currently playing. With this feature, they will not have to ask it anymore.

How to turn on the Song ID feature?

In case you have a subscription for either Amazon Music Unlimited or Prime Music or both, then you just have to ask the voice assistant to enable Song ID. Alexa will now confirm it. After that, it will start announcing the title track name and artists name before playing songs.

How to turn the feature off?

In case you wish to disable the Song ID feature, then you can just ask Alexa to do so. For instance, you need to say, “Alexa, disable Song ID.” The feature will now get disabled.

This feature is completely optional and is not of much use if your Echo device has a screen. Hence, if you own an Echo Show or Echo Dot, then you can simply view the display to check the name of the song and artist.

Amazon has not yet revealed when it plans to roll out the feature in other countries. But those who are either in the US or UK can use the feature, provided they have an Amazon Echo device and Amazon Music subscription. The feature is available for all Amazon Echo Devices.  This will enable you to know which song is going to play. Thus you do not have to ask Alexa to tell you the song name while the song is playing.

Jessica Davis is a Microsoft Office expert and has been working in the technical industry since 2002. As a technical expert, She has written technical blogs, manuals, white papers, and reviews for many websites such as office.com/setup

Source: Alexa Song

[toldnews-blog]

New Post has been published on https://toldnews.com/travel/can-airplane-seat-cameras-spy-on-passengers/

Can airplane seat cameras spy on passengers?

(CNN) — An airplane cabin’s not a great place for indulging in “me-time” — after all, you’re crammed into a small space with a lot of strangers — but you hope you can eat, sleep and relax en route to your destination without fear of being watched.

We’re not talking about voyeuristic fellow passengers, but an even creepier thought: being scrutinized via cameras installed in your inflight entertainment system (IFE).

In February, Vitaly Kamluk — a Twitter user who works in malware research — was on board a Singapore Airlines flight when his wife noticed an “interesting sensor” below the inflight entertainment screen and pointed it out to him.

“She felt general discomfort of a digital eye looking at her. I believe that’s a common reaction of general passengers.” Kamluk tells CNN Travel.

Kamluk suspected it was a camera and Tweeted images of the discovery, tagging Singapore Airlines in the hope of getting an answer.

“I was quite surprised to actually see something like a camera and as a security expert I could imagine many scenarios of misuse of such sensors which is why I decided to ring the bell,” he says.

Kamluk’s post quickly gained traction on social media and Singapore Airlines responded, explaining that its newer inflight entertainment systems include an embedded camera, although emphasizing that these cameras are deactivated.

On board cameras

The fact that some aircraft seats have built-in cameras is not new knowledge.

Singapore Airlines’ inflight entertainment system is manufactured by Panasonic Avionics, a US-based company that supplies IFE for many of the major airlines and French company Thales. Panasonic announced a while back that it’s added cameras onto seat backs.

And in 2017, Panasonic Avionics announced a partnership with Tascent — a biometrics and identity innovation company.

“The companies will combine Tascent’s biometric identity devices, software and services with Panasonic Avionic Corporation’s in-flight entertainment and communications systems to provide streamlined, easy-to-use identity recognition before departure, during flight and upon arrival,” read the corresponding press release.

The idea was seat-back cameras could facilitate onboard immigration, skipping lines when you land. It was also suggested that a seat-back camera could aid payment processing for onboard shopping.

British Airways says it has infrared sensors on some seat backs, but no cameras.

Courtesy CNN

In the age of the smartphone, everyone holds a tiny cinema in their hand, so there’s certainly an expectation that airlines will have exciting entertainment options — a screen simply showing movies won’t cut it anymore.

But has Emirates ever done anything with its on-board cameras?

“Some of our 777 aircraft have cameras that came pre-installed with the inflight entertainment hardware that we had purchased from the manufacturer (Panasonic),” a spokeperson for the Dubai-based airline told CNN Travel. “It was originally meant for seat-to-seat video calls, however Emirates has never activated it.”

“These cameras are permanently disabled on our aircraft and cannot be activated on board. ”

Singapore Airlines

This echoes Singapore Airlines’ comment on the issue.

“These cameras have been intended by the manufacturers for future developments,” the airline says. “These cameras are permanently disabled on our aircraft and cannot be activated on board. We have no plans to enable or develop any features using the cameras.”

Meanwhile, American Airlines told CNN Travel that cameras are “a standard feature,” but are not activated and the carrier has no plans to use them.

A spokesperson for Aussie carrier Qantas also told CNN Travel that IFE manufacturers include inbuilt cameras as standard — and said the airline couldn’t activate the cameras, even if they wanted to.

“The feature would require software in order to be activated, which Qantas doesn’t have and doesn’t plan to install.”

Air New Zealand and British Airways told CNN Travel there were no cameras on board any of their aircraft.

Two images obtained by CNN Travel of an IFE system on a British Airways airplane depict what looks like a lens of some kind. BA describes it as an infrared environmental sensor rather than a camera.

Improving the experience?

Passengers worry that the cameras could be hacked.

Courtesy Emirates

But are airplane seat cameras a bad idea? Some aviation experts think they could improve the onboard, inflight experience.

Joe Leader, CEO of aviation trade body Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) think there’s several handy usages for these cameras.

As well as facilitating video chat between passengers, the cameras could look out for passengers becoming unwell or monitor cabins for suspicious behavior.

The cameras could also be used to spot human trafficking or assault — acting as an extension of the air steward’s eyes.

As for the privacy concern, APEX points out the ubiquity of cameras in 21st century society.

“Today, airline passengers are typically tracked outside the aircraft dozens of times on a typical journey through stores, security, roadways, and airports by cameras without any permission,” APEX says in a statement.

“In contrast, airlines only want to use cameras in the future with permission when technology has advanced to offer personalized service improvements that passengers desire.”

Hacking fears, suggests APEX, are “misplaced.”

“The greatest risk to airline passenger privacy breaches come from their own smartphones, tablets, cameras, computers, and smart devices used in private settings, ” says APEX.

Hacking fears

Several airlines — including American Airlines, pictured — say there are deactivated cameras on board their airplanes.

Courtesy American Airlines

The concern for some fliers is that even if the existence of these seat-back cameras aren’t a secret — and even if they could facilitate some cool features — it feels disingenuous that their presence isn’t advertised.

When contacted by CNN Travel, Panasonic Avionics stressed that it was committed to the privacy of passengers.

“Panasonic Avionics will never activate any feature or functionality within an IFE system without explicit direction from an airline customer,” the company said in a statement to CNN.

“Prior to the use of any camera on a Panasonic Avionics’ system that would affect passenger privacy, Panasonic Avionics would work closely with its airline customer to educate passengers about how the system works and to certify compliance with all appropriate privacy laws and regulations, such as [The EU’s data privacy regulation] GDPR.”

But although Panasonic Avionics and the airlines say the cameras are currently deactivated — they’re not physically covered up and passengers remain worried about hacking.

Kamluk, an expert in cyber-security, says that’s a key issue.

“Passengers should understand that this is not about government or airline conspiracy against them,” he tells CNN Travel. “I am sure that it’s not in the interest of the airlines to spy on their passengers.

“The true risk comes from potential unauthorized access to these devices from a powerful malicious attackers. As far as IFE is connected to the Internet, there is a possibility of remote hack and espionage if such devices can be activated in software.”

Passengers also worry their data might be stolen or compromised.

“These may potentially result in VIP passengers’ communications being eavesdropped, passport data being photographed while filling customs declarations, entering of secret PIN code or password to unlock user’s devices may be recorded on video,” says Kamluk.

“As far as IFE is connected to the Internet, there is a possibility of remote hack and espionage if such devices can be activated in software.”

Vitaly Kamluk, malware expert

“You may say that regular CCTV poses similar risk, but when the camera with mic is very close and just in front of you, the quality of such shots, video and audio recording makes [a] big difference.”

Aviation consultant Peter Lemme told CNN Travel that such fears were not unfounded and airlines needed to listen.

“The public response would suggest cameras facing passengers is a toxic undertaking,” says Lemme. “Privacy seems to be the greatest concern, and that gets to spying and publication.

“The upside of an IFE system that recognizes a passenger has fallen asleep, pauses the movie, darkens the screen and substitutes calming music is balanced against the concern that somehow the camera will take pictures of the person that will embarrass them or will be distributed improperly.”

“Trust is the variable between business and customer. It is hard to earn and easy to lose. Airlines depend on passengers trusting they will hold their traveling details private. There is no upside for an airline to endanger trust, but there is much downside.”

Many internet users tape stickers over their computer’s camera as a means of ensuring privacy. Should airlines physically cover the cameras, to reassure passengers?

Lemme thinks so.

“There must be no chance of surveillance unless the passenger agrees to it. Does this mean a physical cover plate — I think yes. I don’t know any other way that would [be] compelling to everyone,” he says.

Kamluk agrees.

“One good strategy is to give passengers a little bit more of control on their privacy level,” he says. “The manufacturers could do one simple hardware switch to enable/disable all questionable sensors such as cameras and mics.”

[morganbelarus]

iOS 11 is here and it’s packed with tons of new features

Image: apple

The wait for iOS 11 is finally over.

Apple just introduced the next version of iOS during the opening keynote at WWDC in San Jose. The update, which won't be available until later this year, brings a much more powerful Siri, updated Messages app, revamped Apple Pay with person-to-person payments, redesigned App Store, and so much more.

SEE ALSO: Apple finally reveals its Siri-powered Amazon Echo killer

Building on last year's Siri update, which added support for third-party apps, Apple's digital assistant will work with a much wider selection of apps starting with iOS 11.

Image: apple

"Siri understands context, your interests, and how you use your device, said Craig Federighi. "What Siri learns about you on device is kept synced across all of your devices and kept completely private, readable on all of your devices."

The first thing you'll notice is Siri's voice will sound better. Apple says it's applying deep learning to make her sound more natural. Apple demoed a new male voice.

Siri's also smarter. It can learn your interests and recommend stories tailored just for you in Apple News.

Siri's new male voice #WWDC2017 http://pic.twitter.com/IIRbypx2sR

Karissa Bell (@karissabe) June 5, 2017

Additionally, Apple's beta testing a new Siri translation feature capable of translating between English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. More languages will be added later according to Apple.

Siri's logo has also gotten a facelift, no? #WWDC2017 http://pic.twitter.com/1kUX4gDwXL

Karissa Bell (@karissabe) June 5, 2017

Image: apple

Apple showed off an updated Messages app that stores all of your messages all end-to-end encrypted in iCloud so that when you delete messages off one device, it deletes off all others signed into iCloud. Storing messages in iCloud also frees up storage on your device.

Image: apple

There's an update to Apple Pay that should upset Venmo and PayPal. Similar to Venmo, you can make person-to-person payments through iMessage, which are authenticated with Touch ID.

There are some improvements to the Camera and Live Photos as well. You can trim a specific section on a Live Photo and there are various new camera features including improved low-light performance and optical image stabilization and a neat "long exposure" effect mode.

Image: apple

Theres a major redesign to Control Center. As always, you swipe up, but things look a little different. Shortcut settings are split into smaller units; you can slide up on the volume and brightness controls and tap and 3D touch on units to get more information.

That new control center tho #WWDC2017 http://pic.twitter.com/EBaaDT62YD

Karissa Bell (@karissabe) June 5, 2017

Lock screen notifications also get an upgrade. Instead of seeing a jumble of notifications on the lock screen, they'll collapse away and you can swipe up to see them all:

I love this, Notification Center and lock screen are now one in the same #WWDC2017 http://pic.twitter.com/BTxguEQH9r

Karissa Bell (@karissabe) June 5, 2017

Apple Maps now has detailed indoor floor plans for malls and airports:

Image: apple

Indoor floor plans will be supported at all of these airports:

Image: apple

Furthermore, the new version of Maps has lane guidance to help you avoid missing an exit while you're driving.

For CarPlay, a new "Do Not Disturb While Driving" mode automatically disables notifications when it detects you're driving to help you keep your eyes on the road. Yeah, the screen turns black (no joke):

Image: apple

HomeKit lets you configure speakers within the Home app using the new AirPlay 2 protocol to build out a multi-room audio setup.

Image: apple

These companies have announced support for AirPlay 2, and there will be a new API for devs to build support into their own speakers:

Image: apple

Apple Music's got 27 million paid subscribers. New on iOS 11 is a "Friends Are Listening To" feature that shows you guessed it what your buddies are listening to.

Image: apple

A new MusicKit will let developers plug their own apps and tap into all of Apple Music's features.

Some apps that are already using new MusicKit #WWDC2017 http://pic.twitter.com/VarJRiIg3U

Karissa Bell (@karissabe) June 5, 2017

With the App Store at 9 years old and over 180 million apps downloaded, Apple's redesigning the store. It starts with the new Today, Games, and Apps tabs:

Image: apple

Apps are presented in "cards" and when tapped they expand to display a lengthier description. There are also "how to" cards to teach users about how to use an app (i.e. tips for using VSCO). There's a new "App of the Day" that features a picked app.

On iPad, there's an expanded dock that's reminiscent of the one on macOS, improved split-view multitasking, drag-and-drop support, and a new app switcher that shows thumbnails in a grid (instead of giant cards).

iOS 11 for iPad will have a new Mac like app dock, way better multitasking #wwdc2017 http://pic.twitter.com/Dmf3tNfFbm

Karissa Bell (@karissabe) June 5, 2017

There's also a new Files app that shows all of your files stored on iOS, even ones located within different apps. Moreover, you can move files between apps within the Files app. Hot dang!

Image: apple

There's also a new markup feature that works with Apple Pencil. For example, when you create a screenshot, a thumbnail will appear in the lower left corner and you can quickly tap that to start marking it up.

More impressive is searchable handwritten text and inline drawing:

Some cool new pencil features like searchable written text and inline drawings. #WWDC2017 http://pic.twitter.com/jHhbDXbwsU

Lance Ulanoff (@LanceUlanoff) June 5, 2017

Additionally, the Notes app has a document scanner that takes a photo of an image and then automatically corrects its perspective. RIP OfficeLens.

Apple also introduced new versions for its other platforms, including watchOS 4, macOS High Sierra, and new improvements to tvOS.

iOS 11 is available now to developers via the developer preview starting today and the official release will come in the fall for everyone else. It's available for iPhone 5S and newer, iPad Air and newer, iPad mini 2 and newer, and all iPad Pros.

WATCH: Researchers are testing color-changing tattoos that track your health

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[actutrends]

10 things to try with your new Amazon Echo speaker

Amazon’s AI assistant Alexa is the voice behind the original smart speaker and the most popular choice in U.S. homes today, but with a voice interface it can sometimes be tough to know what’s worth doing, or even possible.

This holiday season, we’ve compiled some of Alexa’s most popular and advanced features to give you a taste of what you can do with your new Echo smart speaker or smart display.

The basics

This collection of features makes up the majority of tasks the average person uses an AI assistant for. You can do things like:

Make a phone or video call

Check the weather

Treat Echo speakers like a home intercom

Play music

Get the news

Set a timer

Create a calendar event

Add to your shopping list

Order from Amazon.com

Find out when your next Amazon order will arrive

For $1 you can also add the voice of Samuel L. Jackson to respond when you do things like set a timer, get the weather, or play music. Households that speak more than one language can choose a multilingual option so Alexa can respond to both Spanish and English, for example.

You don’t need to worry about direct voice commands because the natural language models Alexa uses are built to understand lots of ways users might phrase questions and express desires.

For more on how to get started, you can check the Get Started user guide or say “Alexa, what can you do?”

Activate Alexa Guard

Alexa Guard was introduced to the world in 2018 to let the Echo speaker alert homeowners or their alarm system provider to the sound of broken glass or smoke alarms. This year, Alexa Guard got even better at detecting events in the home with the ability to recognize the sound of footsteps, doors opening or closing, and — for some reason — the sound of chopping on a cutting board.

Don’t be surprised if this approach to event detection — together with Ring video doorbells and alarm systems — grows to include more events, related and unrelated to security.

AI for detecting frustration in a user’s voice rolled out this fall, and Amazon AI researchers are also working on detecting emotions like happiness and sadness.

Defend your privacy

Privacy has emerged as a priority for a lot of people, especially when it comes to juggernaut companies whose business strategies involve making predictions from your personal data. But concurrent with fears of mass government and corporate surveillance, smart speaker and smart display categories have become some of the most popular consumer electronics on Earth, a trend driven by dropping word error rates and great improvement in far-field voice recognition.

The two trends seemed to converge this year with reports that third parties hired to improve AI assistants and label data were hearing the intimate, deeply personal details of users’ lives.

As a matter of course, each exchange spoken after the “Hey Alexa” phrase is recorded and converted into text that’s transformed into an action. Whether and how text is reviewed for training purposes is another matter.

In response to public outcry over privacy infringements, Amazon in May introduced voice commands like “Alexa, delete what I just said” and “Alexa, delete what I said today.”

In August, Amazon gave users the choice to disable human review of voice recordings. This fall, the company introduced the Privacy Hub to make it easier to review or automatically delete voice recordings on a three-month or 18-month basis. The hub also gives users a way to control permissions granted to smart home devices and Alexa Skills.

Gathering data on a three- to 18-month basis allows the company to observe seasonal trends, Alexa chief scientist Rohit Prasad told VentureBeat shortly after Amazon rolled out its new approach to voice recordings in September.

Follow your favorite musicians

The Echo smart speaker became a favorite in U.S. households because of its ability to hear your voice across the room and do things like seamlessly set a timer, but the true killer app has always been music.

That’s why it was a big deal last year when Amazon introduced the ability for you to get notifications through your Echo speaker when a favorite artist releases an album or single.

New Release Notifications is far from the latest AI wizardry or natural language model breakthrough, but knowing when that new album drops is the definition of delight.

Music lovers can also set alarms using their favorite music streaming service.

Sample Skills

Not everything you do with Alexa comes from Amazon. There’s an entire universe of Skills and voice apps for Alexa from third-party developers.

With the Echo Show, some Skills utilize the Alexa Presentation Language to make visual experiences.

In September, Alexa passed the 100,000 voice app milestone. Granted, the great majority of these are garbage, but there are also gems like Jeopardy! or choose-your-own-adventure games like Magic Door. The Maury Show even has a voice app.

A glance at the Alexa Skills Store will help determine what fits your interests since it does a good job of categorizing Skills and highlighting popular voice apps.

This summer, Amazon rolled out Alexa Conversations, a way to batch Skills together into cohesive experiences to, for example, reserve seats at a restaurant, buy movie tickets, and schedule arrangements with a ride-sharing app. Conversations are designed to cut these kinds of activities down from dozens of steps to just a few. Combining this with machine learning to pair Skills in multi-turn dialogue is what Amazon VP David Limp calls the “holy grail of voice science.” It’s more a concept today than something you can expect to interact with in your daily life, but it gives you a sense of how the Alexa team is thinking.

Make Alexa Skills with Blueprints

The Alexa Skills Store has lots of noteworthy developer creations, but some things deserve a personal touch. Enter Blueprints, a way for homeowners to make their own Alexa Skills without code.

These templates range from a chore chart to a Skill that lets Airbnb guests or pet sitters ask common questions. You can even make a Skill for trivia about a family member. Each Blueprint template is designed to be created in a matter of minutes.

Amazon introduced Alexa for Business Blueprints earlier this year to let companies create personalized Skills for employees or customers.

Pay bills or make donations

Every AI assistant wants to be more than a basic bot. They want to become like a trusted friend, ready to tell you a silly joke or talk and capable of all matter of compute actions. A big one introduced in October: Alexa can now pay your bills with Amazon Pay and bill management platform Paymentus. You can also get notifications when you’ve got a water or electricity bill payment coming up.

In other money movement services, Alexa got the ability to make donations to charitable organizations and U.S. presidential candidates this year.

Check your email

This is one of those extremely useful ideas people tend to forget is possible.

Say “Alexa, check my email” to get a rundown of emails perceived to be important from the past 24 hours. You can also delete, reply to, or flag an email with voice alone. Say “Alexa, did I get an email from [contact]?” and set a notification so your Echo speaker and Alexa can let you know when you get a response you’ve been waiting for.

Email with Alexa works with major providers like Gmail, Outlook, Hotmail, and Live.com.

Get chatty

An easy way to recognize the limitations of natural language AI today is to try to carry on a conversation with your assistant. Despite great advances in word error rate reductions and other breakthroughs in recent years, assistants like Alexa are still rather limited in their ability to talk like humans. In 2017, Amazon started the Alexa Prize, a competition for teams of student computer scientists to create AI capable of chatting for 20 minutes. Thus far, the top-performing bots can last roughly 10 minutes.

To make things more conversational now, Alexa offers Follow Up Mode so you can continue asking questions after an initial query response in which the “Alexa” wake word is used.

Stump Alexa

As part of the company’s larger effort to get its question-answering capabilities to surpass the Skills of other assistants — like Siri, Cortana, and Google Assistant — Amazon made Alexa Answers generally available earlier this year.

Alexa Answers allows users to answer queries Alexa was unable to accurately field. Hundreds of thousands of answers have already been shared with millions of Echo users, a company spokesperson told VentureBeat, but as Kyle Wiggers discovered earlier this year, crowdsourcing this effort has drawbacks.

An AI assistant “IQ test” composed of hundreds of questions found Alexa to be lacking when compared with other AI assistants. Analysis related to questions about popular prescription medicine found similar results.

Make Routines

Alexa can set a timer for you or share the weather forecast, but in order to expand adoption rates, enable custom voice commands, and allow a single voice command to do multiple things, both Amazon and Google have introduced Routines.

For example, you can make an “Alexa, I’m home” Routine that turns on the lights, plays a news summary, and rattles off your to-do list, or you can make an “Alexa, it’s bedtime” Routine that turns off all your smart home appliances.

Location-based Routines are a great way to ensure your smart home devices shut off when you walk out the door, for example, without your needing to say anything. Email updates and Skills became attached to Routines this spring, and geofenced location-based Routines arrived before the holidays a year ago.

The purpose of Routines is to make assistants not only more powerful, but part of your daily habits to improve adoption rates.

In September, Amazon introduced “Routine recommendations“, a way for the assistant to suggest adding certain actions to the exchanges you typically carry out. For example, if you tend to check the weather in the morning, Alexa might suggest you also play music. As simple as this sounds, Routine recommendations that feed insights from Amazon’s wider array of recommendation engines could become a smart way to automate habitual use cases.

The post 10 things to try with your new Amazon Echo speaker appeared first on Actu Trends.

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Wyze Sense Starter Kit Review

Wyze Sense Starter Kit

4/5

Versatile sensors

Easy installation

No professional monitoring

View on Amazon

Read Review

Wyze keeps its pricing and packages very simple. You need at least one Wyze camera and the Wyze Sense Starter Kit for your initial setup, then you can add on sensors as you wish (up to 100). The smallest number of contact sensors you can purchase is a four-pack, but at less than $5 a sensor, they’re about 75% cheaper than other DIY sensors on the market, like sensors from SimpliSafe and SmartThings.

Wyze Sense Pros and Cons

Pros

Tiny sensors

Low price tag

Quick installation

Intuitive app

Customizable notifications

Cons

No professional monitoring

No external alarm

Limited smart home integration

Wyze Sense Pricing

Keep in mind that unlike many other DIY systems, Wyze is a self-monitored system, so there are no monthly fees or contracts. But that also means that the only alert you’ll get that a door or window has been opened will be on your smartphone. The contact and motion detection sensors aren’t tied to any external alarm to scare off intruders, and there’s no call center keeping an eye on things while you’re away.

Price Included Equipment Warranty and Returns

Wyze Sense Starter Kit Contact Sensor Kit Motion Sensor $19.99 $19.99 $5.99 Wyze sensor bridge 2 contact sensors 1 motion sensor 4 contact sensors 1 motion sensor 1-year limited warranty 30-day return policy 1-year limited warranty 30-day return policy 1-year limited warranty 30-day return policy View on Amazon View on Amazon View on Amazon

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*Contact sensor kit and motion sensor require Wyze sensor bridge.

Tech and Equipment

The first thing we noticed about the sensors was their size: they’re tiny! Each contact sensor is only about 1 inch square and 3/10 inch thick, making them both inconspicuous and versatile. The motion sensor is a 1 x 1 x 1/2 inch box. Each sensor runs on replaceable lithium coin batteries (included) that Wyze says will last about 12 months with regular use. Red indicator lights on each contact sensor illuminate whenever a door is opened or closed—same for the motion sensor when motion is detected.

Unlike other systems that require a hub, Wyze uses a bridge—which is also very small—that plugs into the back of your Wyze Cam or Wyze Cam Pan. The bridge communicates with the sensors using radio frequencies, and it lets the sensors use the camera’s connection to your Wi-Fi to send signals to the app without using up a lot of power from the sensors themselves. This means that the batteries in the sensors will last longer than other sensors on the market that connect directly to your Wi-Fi.

The motion sensor works using radiant heat, so it will detect people and pets without giving you false alarms from passing cars or lights turning on and off. The bad news about this kind of motion sensor—and about Wyze products in general—is that none are designed for outdoor use, so if you need exterior coverage you’ll have to look elsewhere. Wyze has announced plans for outdoor cameras sometime in 2019, but so far no word on outdoor motion sensors or other products we’d like to see in the Wyze lineup, like motion sensor lights.

What’s in the Box

1 motion sensor

2 contact sensors

1 sensor bridge

1 quick start guide

1 pin

2 sets of sensor decals

Smart Home Applications

One of the reasons Wyze sensors are so small is thanks to their proprietary communication protocol that uses an entirely different language (radio frequency) than Zigbee and Z-Wave devices. Unfortunately, this special language means they can’t communicate directly with any other non-Wyze smart devices in your home.

While this shortcoming means Wyze probably isn’t the best smart security option out there, the good news is that Wyze is designed to work with IFTTT (If This Then That), Amazon Alexa, and Google Home. You can use these platforms to create scenes that incorporate your Wyze sensors with your other compatible devices to create a smart home. The bad news is that it might not always work with those platforms. We tested a Wyze IFTTT applet that’s supposed to use geofencing to “turn off push notifications when I am home,” but we continued to receive push notifications even when inside the geofenced home area.

Many of the other IFTTT applets do the same things you can already do through the Wyze app, like getting push notifications when motion is detected, so they’re a little redundant. But we do like the ability to use your Amazon Echo Dot or Google Home to enable or disable motion detection with voice commands when you wake up or leave the house.

Installation and Setup

Installing the Wyze Sense Starter Kit was a breeze. It took only about 10 minutes in total to set up all three sensors, and it was so simple even a child could do it. The only tool you need is a tiny pin device used to power on each sensor.

The hardest part of installation was deciding where I wanted my sensors to be. Since I already have a security system covering my doors and windows, I decided to have some fun with the little Wyze sensors. I put one on my refrigerator door, and one on the bedroom door of my hermit teenage son, so I could be alerted when he emerged from his cave. Each sensor has a peel-off adhesive backing to make it easy to attach to any surface.

App and Features

Unlike my current security system that only alerts me that a sensor has been tripped (e.g., “Alert: Back Door”) the Wyze app tells you whether a contact is open or closed (e.g., “Back Door Closed”). The app is well thought out, with customizable push notifications that let you determine which events trigger an alert, like when a door opens, when it closes, or when it’s been left open longer than a specified amount of time. The app storage keeps a history of all recent activity, with the most recent events listed first, and it shows the battery life and signal strength of all connected sensors.

In testing, I set the app to notify me when my fridge door was left open for longer than six seconds. I did get an alert when this happened, but the alert said “Fridge door has been open longer than 1 minute.” But when I checked with my kids and then tested it myself, the one-minute alert was sent after it had been open for six seconds. It may simply have a minimum open notification time of one minute.

How Wyze Sense Stacks Up

Both SimpliSafe and SmartThings are DIY systems with sensors similar to Wyze, and both are standalone systems with options to dodge mandatory monthly fees. But unlike Wyze, SimpliSafe and SmartThings offer professional monitoring options and audible alarms. Still, neither comes close to Wyze in price, particularly considering Wyze’s price includes a camera. But Wyze definitely falls short when it comes to smart home compatibility, especially compared to Samsung SmartThings.

Starter Package Price Starter Package Equipment Smart Home Compatibility Monthly Fees Professional Monitoring

$39.98 $229.96 $129.00 1 Wyze Cam 1 bridge 2 contact sensors 1 motion sensor The Foundation: 1 base station 1 keypad 1 contact sensor 1 motion sensor 1 hub 2 contact sensors 1 motion sensor Amazon Alexa Google Home IFTTT Amazon Alexa Apple HomeKit Google Home IFTTT SmartThings Amazon Alexa Ecobee Google Home Honeywell IFTTT Kwikset Ring Schlage SmartThings Zigbee Z-Wave None None None None Optional, $14.99/mo. Optional, $24.99/mo. with ADT View on Amazon Visit SimpliSafe View on Amazon

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Data effective 7/25/2019. Offers and availability subject to change.

FAQs

Is it worth it to buy the Wyze Cam just to be able to use Wyze Sense?

In our opinion, yes. Wyze Cam captures live video with clear night vision, free 14-day rolling cloud storage, and time lapse videos. All for less than $40. You can also add up to a 32GB micro SD card for video storage. Check out our Wyze Cam review for more info.

Does Wyze have smoke or carbon monoxide sensors?

Wyze doesn’t yet offer devices for detecting smoke or carbon monoxide, but the Wyze Cam and Wyze Cam Pan have two-way audio with sound detection features to alert you with a push notification if the camera detects a smoke alarm in your home.

Does adding the bridge affect the sound quality on the Wyze Cam?

While it’s true that the bridge does block part of the Wyze Cam’s speaker, we didn’t notice a change in the volume of the sound coming from the Wyze Cam with the bridge installed.

Can you move sensors after they’ve been placed?

Yes, but you might need to replace the adhesive. Wyze recommends using a product like Command adhesive if you need to reattach sensors to a new surface.

Conclusion

Wyze Sense is an easy, inexpensive option for keeping tabs on what’s happening in your home while you’re away. It won’t give you the full monitoring coverage or alarm capabilities of a true security system, but you’ll know when doors open and close, and with the Wyze Cam you can watch the action as well. In short, it’s discreet and easy to use, it functions well, and the price can’t be beat.

How We Reviewed Wyze Sense

We tested the Wyze Sense Starter kit at home for a few days, connecting the sensors to a Wyze Cam Pan and downloading the Wyze app on an iPhone. We placed two of the sensors within 20 feet of the Wyze Cam and placed the third about 50 feet away in another room to check the range. We changed settings on the app to see how well each performed under different conditions. To find out more about how we test and review products, read our full methodology.

Related Pages on SafeWise

Best Motion Sensor Lights

The Best Smart Home Security

What Is a Smart Home?

Wyze Cam Pan Review

Best Door and Window Sensors

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