One more question about Alexa

spiceuser-a86yc · 2018-12-05T07:37:02.000Z

So the discussion on Alexa in a medical environment is closed. Since Echo has the microphone mute button capability and it is possible to play music or white noise, Etc directly from the Amazon Alexa app while the mic is muted would that be a solution?

Gary-D-Williams · 2018-12-05T08:34:02.000Z

spiceuser-a86yc:

So the discussion on Alexa in a medical environment is closed.

That’s good to know.

spiceuser-a86yc:

Since Echo has the microphone mute button capability and it is possible to play music or white noise, Etc directly from the Amazon Alexa app while the mic is muted would that be a solution?

A solution to what?

scottbrindley · 2018-12-05T08:58:18.000Z

Have you asked Alexa?

dannyreardon · 2018-12-05T09:25:21.000Z

You can play spotify through a dot when its on mute - if thats what you mean?

gabrielle.l · 2018-12-05T09:25:31.000Z

I don’t think using a consumer-grade product like Alexa is would be prudent in a business environment, especially one like a medical environment where there may be sensitive data present.

This thread seems to be a continuation of one you’ve had somewhere, but this is your first post in the community. Can you enlighten us and fill in the backstory? Or provide a link to the earlier discussion?

cameronfrost · 2018-12-05T12:33:21.000Z

I would invest in some business grade products and get a white noise speaker run in the rooms.

toddpotter · 2018-12-05T12:54:58.000Z

We run muzak in our hospital and clinics for white noise(we run music). The purpose being to avoid discussions of patients being heard halfway down the hallway.

I’ll warn you up front though, this creates a whole new can of worms… “what music to play”. There is absolutely NO music that will make everyone happy. So be prepared.

We run a half different channels on muzak, alternating every hour or so. And from Dec 1-25 we run Christmas music (but not all the time, because then we get complaints about that, so an hour of xmas music, an hour of regular music, etc) .

spiceuser-a86yc · 2018-12-05T14:15:15.000Z

The original question I saw was regarding whether or not it would be okay to use Alexa to play music in a medical office setting. I was searching the issue when I found the thread. I have a VERY small (1 room) counseling office and was thinking of using Echo dot to run the lights and bluetooth speakers. I noticed the mute feature and was able to utilize all of the functions I would need through the app. Wondering if Echo is safe in mute.

bucko · 2018-12-05T14:43:04.000Z

spiceuser-a86yc:

The original question I saw was regarding whether or not it would be okay to use Alexa to play music in a medical office setting. I was searching the issue when I found the thread. I have a VERY small (1 room) counseling office and was thinking of using Echo dot to run the lights and bluetooth speakers. I noticed the mute feature and was able to utilize all of the functions I would need through the app. Wondering if Echo is safe in mute.

Absolutelly not… You don’t have ability to know what firmware does… Can you absolutelly say that mute works, it will not be hacked, etc?

Such devices have nothing to do in business officess, specially where there are peoples data present. You can play with it at home, where you answer only to yourself, but once it’s not your company and your lost money (directly or indirectly) and specially when you’re responsible for information about other people, you must not allow any poit of breach…

Think about it… Who will stop amazon if they change mute to unmute themselfs and listen about a patient and they get their info and show them suggestions for their medical problem? It’s your job to prevent any knd of leak…

gabrielle.l · 2018-12-05T14:44:28.000Z

spiceuser-a86yc:

The original question I saw was regarding whether or not it would be okay to use Alexa to play music in a medical office setting. I was searching the issue when I found the thread. I have a VERY small (1 room) counseling office and was thinking of using Echo dot to run the lights and bluetooth speakers. I noticed the mute feature and was able to utilize all of the functions I would need through the app. Wondering if Echo is safe in mute.

I understand now.

For the benefit of other readers in this thread, I believe this is the other thread being referenced:

Alexa? In a medical setting? Security

Would you put a functional Alexa device in a medical setting? A Dr. asked me if they could use that device on their network. I'm like, yes but I wouldn't. All the doc wants to do is listen to music. Lots of other ways to do that without having an always on voice controlled device hanging around. Particularly if it records what you say and may pass that on to it's momma servers. The main concern I have is that this device would be in a clinic around Dr.s, patients and could overhear the discuss…

brodyweber · 2018-12-05T14:56:04.000Z

spiceuser-a86yc:

The original question I saw was regarding whether or not it would be okay to use Alexa to play music in a medical office setting. I was searching the issue when I found the thread. I have a VERY small (1 room) counseling office and was thinking of using Echo dot to run the lights and bluetooth speakers. I noticed the mute feature and was able to utilize all of the functions I would need through the app. Wondering if Echo is safe in mute.

eh, If I was going in for counseling I wouldn’t want to see it tbh, regardless of if it’s muted or not.

I’d say stick to something simple, and if you want to control lights, keep those separate and get a Hue kit, it comes with a normal remote, and 3 light bulbs. you can also use your phone to control them or a set a schedule for them.

georgemcfarlin · 2018-12-05T15:37:20.000Z

It is a hardware mute button right? Just as easy to hit the button again and turn it back on…

qwelm · 2018-12-05T15:47:41.000Z

spiceuser-a86yc:

The original question I saw was regarding whether or not it would be okay to use Alexa to play music in a medical office setting. I was searching the issue when I found the thread. I have a VERY small (1 room) counseling office and was thinking of using Echo dot to run the lights and bluetooth speakers. I noticed the mute feature and was able to utilize all of the functions I would need through the app. Wondering if Echo is safe in mute.

If it’s always muted, then aren’t you just using it as a speaker, since it shouldn’t respond to verbal commands? Since you’ve already indicated that using a mobile device to control things is acceptable I’d recommend a bluetooth device, rather than a wifi-capable device. Perhaps something like this: Amazon.com , unless you can find a speaker with no microphone at all, which would be even better.