[Freddy]

Seen this advertised a lot recently.

I am not affiliated with this in any way, this link is just for reference : Amazon Echo From Amazon

Anyone have any thoughts on it ? I don't want to buy one really but I find it interesting that this might be the watershed in terms of seeing simple AIs in our homes.

It gets a lot of good to fair reviews, but also an unignorable glut of bad reviews too. They have sold a few though.

I'm not sure I want something like this, I'm more inclined to try to make something like it myself as a project.

I'm still stuck trying to think of things I would want done for me. One thing I do like is you can ask it to play music. But then again I can make an app to do that with Unity and Google Speech API - just link that to my music directories and job done. The fact I have not done this yet makes me think I am probably never going to do this kind of thing.

Shopping online is also untroublesome already in general and I am sure is easier than dictating to a machine. At some point you are going to need to visually see what you are buying or have ordered, at least that's the way I feel about it.

I hardly ever use calendars, I don't even wear a watch. My mind keeps track of what I want to do or I jot it down on a notepad which costs 30p from the supermarket and lasts for a couple of weeks.

So the only thing that stands out to me is the music and it's not really enough for me. But I am sure there is some glint of something promising in there somewhere - perhaps for people with disabilities, which is cool.

[Art]

I personally find such devices redundant considering the fact that I have a smart phone like a great number of persons now do and it is always pretty much near or with me.

There have been times that I've asked it (Google Now) a question thinking it was in my pant's pocket then when it answered me, I realized it was in another room charging! Yes, it can hear that well.

Therefore, why should I invest and why do I need one when my phone can easily handle appointments, reminders, timers, alarms and question / answer for me? Your mileage might vary.

[kei10]

Certainly perfect for the connoisseurs whom wants a change of scenery instead of sticking to their smart phone! 

[Korrelan]

All the processing is done in the 'cloud'. I'm not sure I'd like a device constantly listening/ recording and streaming every conversation I have onto someone else's machines. Just seems to 'George Orwell' too me.

Cool device and idea though.

 

[Art]

Actually those devices are not so much as listening to your conversations but rather "waiting" for a "trigger sound" or phrase that alerts them to pay attention. "Google Now", "Siri", "Alexa", "Ubi","Jibo" and many others.

The fact that they are always listening for that Trigger word, tends to creep people out a bit as there is a feeling that their privacy is being invaded or snooped upon.

Either way, I'll still hang on to my smart phone for now.