Vetting voicebot vulnerability

Alexa, Siri, Google, and other voice assistants are listening to more people than ever before. For proof, consider that the number of US voice assistant users is forecast to exceed 162 million by 2027, up from 145 million in 2023, with around 46 million millennials and 45 million regularly using voice assistants today, according to Insider Intelligence data. Market Research Future expects the voice assistant market to grow to $30.72 billion by 2030.

But note that nearly 7 in 10 consumers worldwide are either somewhat or very concerned about their privacy online, per the IAPP Privacy and Consumer Trust Report 2023, with 57% of consumers believing that AI poses a major threat to their privacy. Many of these worries pertain to the increasingly ubiquitous and pervasive presence of voicebots and voice assistants used by companies, especially in customer service capacities. People are becoming more aware and troubled about the collection, storage, and utilization of their data by corporate America, particularly in terms of data security and privacy.

Learn more about this topic by reading my newest article for Speech Technology Magazine, available here.

How to get a car loan

It’s challenging to come up with enough scratch to afford the full price tag on a new or used vehicle. Per Kelley Blue Book’s most recent data, the average transaction price of a new car is $47,401.

Meanwhile, Edmunds.com reports that the average price of a used car stands at $27,297. If you’re like many drivers, chances are you’re going to need some financing help in the form of a car loan.

Take the time to better understand how car loans work, the advantages and disadvantages of getting a vehicle loan, eligibility requirements, who offers car loans, steps involved in the process, what to consider carefully before signing on the dotted line, and alternatives to ponder by checking out my latest Refi.com article on this topic, available here.

Cineversary podcast marks 70th anniversary of Seven Samurai

David Desser and Stuart Galbraith IV

In Cineversary podcast episode #69, host Erik Martin sends 70th birthday wishes to Akira Kurosawa’s epic masterwork Seven Samurai. This month, he’s joined by Asian cinema expert and University of Illinois film professor David Desser, as well as Stuart Galbraith IV, author of The Emperor and the Wolf: The Lives and Films of Akira Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune. Together, they explore what makes this film a treasure of world cinema, how it has stood the test of time, prominent themes, and more.

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Castbox, Pocket Casts, PodBean, RadioPublic, and Overcast.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com.

Shed of the class

Whether you need extra real estate to store that lawnmower, a handy hideaway to stash your bikes and gear, or additional space for crafting or relaxing, a sturdy new shed deserves a spot in your yard. Fortunately, a wider array of these prefabricated enclosures are available today, easier to assemble and built to last longer than ever.

Learn more by reading my latest article for The Costco Connection magazine, available here.

Spring housing market forecast

With the weather warming up and flowers starting to bloom, it’s natural to get excited about the spring season upon us. But will hope spring eternal for home shoppers and sellers alike over the next few months? What’s in store for us as the national spring home buying season begins?

When in doubt, consult those in the know. So I contacted several trusted housing market experts for their analyses and forecasts about the spring home buying season, including predictions on mortgage rates, home prices, and inventory as well as tips on how house hunters can get a leg up on the competition. Read my full writeup, published by The Mortgage Reports, here.