I just received a new Fire TV cube gen 3, because my old one is malfunctioning. I know, I hate these devices myself, but it’s the only option right now, since a new version of the Nvidia shield isn’t coming in the foreseeable future.

So, I plugged in the power chord and the HDMI cable into the cube.

When it booted up it showed a screen that it’s downloading the newest update. At first I thought this must be some typo-bug on the initial boot steps, because I haven’t even connected it to the internet yet, neither via cable nor did I go through the wifi setup.

After the update has finished, I was greeted with my real name and the cube indeed had the actual WiFi settings!

WTF?! How’s that even possible?

  • adONis@lemmy.worldOP
    01·
    8 months ago

    No, it connected to your wifi and downloaded it.

    I know thst, but when and how did it get the wifi info.

    Did they automatically flash that onto the device, sealed the box packaged it and delivered it - all within 24hrs.

    • GlenRambo@jlai.lu
      2·
      8 months ago

      From @7eter below.

      “Frustration-Free Setup utilizes a network of helper devices (such as compatible Echo devices, Fire TV devices, routers, or smartphones with certain Amazon apps) that are already connected to the internet to help you set up new devices in fewer steps. When you turn on a new compatible device, helper devices in range can help it connect to your networks and/or to Alexa via wifi, Zigbee, Bluetooth, or Matter.”

      • Darkassassin07@lemmy.caEnglish
        21·
        8 months ago

        In other words: your amazon devices are freely giving your wifi info to any nearby new amazon device regardless of whether you’ve signed into that new device or not.

        Begs the question: What other clearly private info do they give away with 0 auth or verification?

        • GlenRambo@jlai.lu
          1·
          8 months ago

          “Freely” if you enable the setting as the user posted above.

          with 0 auth or verification

          The verification still needs one of the devices listed in my post to be active on your wifi to allow the setup and communication.

          The auth is likely done by device to device handshake. Its just that there isn’t a human involved.

          Don’t get me wrong I hate Amazon as much as anyone and would never have one of their devices in my home.

          But most of the other posts in this thread are missing the technical aspect of the question.