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I think it's a reasonable distinction.

The Echo is much more than "a microphone". Yes, it has a microphone, and I don't think Amazon is trying to pretend it doesn't. But a smart speaker is obviously not just a passive listening device, as implied by "Amazon microphone".

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When will the truth be palatable? When we normalize it. By calling the device an Amazon microphone, we are telling the truth that this device is a listening device, not just a speaker. This name has less sugar coating, so if it is still too bitter, just call it what you want.

By that logic, your phone should be called a "microphone".

Ignore all the additional stuff it can do, it has a microphone, therefore it's OBVIOUSLY a passive listening device, ergo "microphone" /s

Well it is quite more.

It also tracks your position via satellites.

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