As first reported by CNBC, it appears Comcast is quietly developing a new kind of health monitoring device. Akin to a smart speaker — but decidedly not a smart speaker, according to The Verge — the device will use motion sensors to track your health while you’re at home.
For example, the device would monitor how long you sleep at night, whether or not you’ve fallen down, how many times you open the refrigerator door, and — yes, you know what’s next — how often you head to the bathroom to take care of business.
Comcast says that it will be pushing the device to people who need extra attention at home healthwise, including the elderly, the disabled, and people who have just had a major operation or long hospital stay.
The device won’t do things you would expect from a smart speaker or smart home hub. It won’t control smart devices, answer questions using Google, or order your products from Amazon.
“There is no role for this device beyond health,” a Comcast spokesperson wrote to The Verge.
Comcast is frequently cited as one of the most-hated companies in the United States. It’s therefore quite unlikely that anyone who values their privacy and security would be willing to hand over their private health information to Comcast. However, it appears that’s exactly what the company is gunning for with this as-yet-unnamed product.
You tell us: would you want a Comcast device monitoring how often you head to the toilet? Let us know in the comments.
NEXT: Comcast announces some Xfinity Mobile throttling as if it’s doing us a favor
from Android Authority http://bit.ly/2wamwwL
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