ALEXA AS A BURGLARY DETERRENT: “AWAY MODE”

There’s a new Alexa feature called “Away Mode” that is supposed to keep your home safe from burglars by playing lengthy audio tracks that sound like real – but ridiculous – conversations. When you launch Away Mode, Alexa will play one of seven audio tracks penned by comedy writers from SNL, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and the Upright Citizens Brigade. Some of the titles:
– “Couple Has Breakup While Also Trying to Watch TV”
– “Two Average Guys Brainstorm What’s Unique About Themselves So They Can Start a Podcast About It”
– “Emergency PTA Meeting To Discuss Memes, Fidget Spinners, and Other Teen Fads”
– “A Book Club Where No One Discusses The Book”
– “Mom Walks Her Daughter Through IKEA Assembly Over The Phone”
– “Argument Over A Board Game”
The idea comes from the folks at homeowners’ insurance startup Hippo Insurance. They say you can turn the volume up and leave your apartment for an hour, knowing that any potential burglar will be scared off by “thinking that someone is still at home who is absolutely insufferable.”
* Because Saturday Night Live sketches are so funny at five minutes, they’ll be hilarious at 60 minutes.
* One burglar to another burglar: “It sounds like there’s people home, but why are they all talking through tin cans?”