Amazon testing workout tracking in Echo Buds earbuds, software reveals

[Just AnotherPerson]

Amazon has a hidden feature in their earbuds that will track workouts. At least that is the story. How easily they can get away with something so nefarious by telling us this story. We are so gullible. Imagine if they can track your heartbeat, it is somewhat like a lie detector. Imagine how much they can learn about you by tracking your heartbeat. The things we will allow. The system for total control is being set up, and the people are just oblivious. This is a whole new level of invasive, and it is only the beginning.

See more at the link https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/05/amaz...-software.html

Excerpt:

A hidden feature inside the Alexa software shows Amazon has at least considered enabling the Echo Buds earbuds to track workouts.

This backs up CNBC’s earlier reporting that Amazon was planning to add fitness tracking features to the Echo Buds as part of an update code-named “Puget.” Amazon launched its headphones in October but has not yet talked about any sort of ability to track health or fitness.



The feature, which CNBC discovered on a test unit of Echo Buds paired with Amazon’s Alexa app, appears to be in a testing phase, and there’s no guarantee that Amazon will ever ship the feature. An Amazon spokesperson declined to comment on the discovery.

But if Amazon activates the feature on the Echo Buds, it would mark Amazon’s first entrance into the fitness monitoring space, bringing into more direct competition with the Apple Watch and Fitbit, which Google announced plans to acquire last week. Amazon has been hiring healthcare experts and has a team within Alexa that’s entirely focused on health and wellness.

[FindersKeepers]

This isn't new technology.

I use a FitBit that tracks every step, tells me how far I walk/run/cycle and then syncs with the Cloud. It seems as though the Amazon earbuds don't have a heartbeat monitor, which is probably because it's difficult to determine a pulse in one's ear, but heartbeat monitors have been around for a long time and they're a great aerobic training aid.