Even cops say this new Alexa 'skill' might scare off potential burglars

An illustration from an Amazon skill that runs an hour-long tape of people talking, to fool burglars into thinking a home is occupied. SAN FRANCISCO -- Homeowners have always come up with clever ways to scare away potential burglars. They leave the television on while they're away, install dummy cameras or plant the classic "BEWARE OF DOG" sign in the front yard, even though it's just a teacup poodle in the backyard. A new "skill" for Amazon's Echo smart speaker takes things a step further: Away Mode attempts to trick potential burglars into thinking somebody is home by playing long audio clips that sound like real -- albeit absurd -- conversations that could be happening inside. The skill, created by Hippo Insurance, a San Francisco-based home insurance company, includes about a half-dozen conversations. Users can ask Alexa to play Away Mode, and it will play recorded conversations like a couple breaking up while trying to watch TV, a frustrated mom explaining to her daughter how to assemble IKEA furniture over the phone or two average guys talking about what makes them unique because they want to start a podcast.