LG's New Smart Hub:Affectionate AI or Big Brother in Disguise?

LG is diving headfirst into the smart home revolution with its new gadget, the ThinQ On. This little cylindrical hub promises to be more than just a control center for your smart devices – LG is touting it as a hub powered by 'Affectionate Intelligence. 'Sounds cuddly, right? But what exactly does that mean? Think about it:Is it really comfortable talking to your devices like you would to a friend or family member? Does your toaster really need to know your preferences for toastiness? LG claims this AI can learn your individual usage patterns and tailor your smart home experience. That's convenient, but it begs the question:What happens to that data? Who has access to it? And how much control are you really giving up when you let your smart hub become your 'companion'? The ThinQ On can control both LG and third-party devices, thanks to its Matter certification and support for Wi-Fi and Thread. It can even keep an eye on your entire smart home ecosystem, letting you know if your washer is done or if something's amiss. But here's where things get interesting. LG says this hub is built on a 'high-performance AI chipset' designed for scalability. What does that mean for the future? Will this hub become even more intrusive, gathering more data and making more decisions for you? Or could it evolve into something truly helpful, anticipating your needs and making life easier? LG is keeping the details close to the vest for now, promising to reveal more at IFA 2024. Until then, we're left to wonder: is LG's Affectionate Intelligence a step towards a more connected future, or a slippery slope towards a world where our homes are watching us more than