To not see the point of Alexa?

[abacucat]

Unless you are disabled, switching lights on or off is no big deal. And everything else is simply what you can do on a laptop or tablet. I don't see why you would spend money buying another gadget that doesn't do anything new.

I think it's pointless too. Having had incredibly controlling parent I really relish doing 'small stuff' for myself. I also think it feeds into a learned helplessness & for children, giving commands to objects isn't going to help communication skills.

Gosh some of the tech paranoia on here, from the made up crap of the person who couldn't turn it down ( the volume button is on top of it) to someone talking about death, us turning into China, the government spying on us. It's mind boggling.

Honestly. If you're so scared of technology advances and artificial intelligence. It's ok. Seriously. It's ok. You don't have to get one.

😱

How is it paranoia when it's already happening?

It doesn't it count because it's in another country?

Do you not think that children get plenty of communication skills practice in the playground, at school, with you?

My 9yo is scored highly on communication by her teacher.

When we first got Alexa, it would often fail to understand my daughter’s command because she was vague, or put multiple requests together.

In fact, having Alexa has given my child the chance to learn a new style of communication that she didn’t have before - working out how to be concise and direct.

I’m not saying y’all need Alexa to learn that - but I really don’t think that having Alexa will stunt communication skills!

OVER. Ty. So do these magic light bulbs work in normal old light fittings then?

Yes they do. They connect to your home WiFi then you can control them via an app on your phone, an assistant such as Google home or via the special light switch which comes with it (wireless so no electrician needed). They aren't cheap though. They dim as well.

It can be turned off?

Doesn't that defeat the object of having it in the first place? Isn't it meant to be a hands-free gadget that's voice activated?

Yes, but people were worried it's 'listening' all the time. If you are not going to use it for a while turn it off....

I’ve just ordered one!

Our radio in the kitchen is nackered, me and DH have station wars, and DS age 5 keeps asking tbe radio to play specific songs. I think this could solve all our radio problems!

I don't have one and won't allow it in the house because I don't want it spying on me and I will not have any of my household appliances involved in a future war.

I love targeted advertising though. My phone thinks that I am interested in LOL dolls (because DN's birthday), £12k frocks and gay cruises.

I was given one, I just use it as a glorious oven timer. I'm sure my neighbours are amused by my screaming "Alexa" repeatedly, increasing in volume.

And I know it sounds cuckoo but I completely agree with pp and targeted ads cue twilight zone music

I'm amazed that a few years ago Samsung tvs were rubbished for listening on people's conversation and now people pay for the same thing to save a few steps. A few words out of place and the thought police will come for you

Worth every penny when I wale up in the middle of the night and ask it the time rather than having to find my glasses.

I am a bit of a self confessed tin hatter and I wouldn't have one in my house if you paid me.

I have turned Siri off on my phone but it's still probably listening somehow. The 'coincidental' adverts I keep getting relating directly to something I was talking about creeps me out so much 😣

I don't get it either, and don't even get me started on bloody HIVE!

Oooooh, I must pay for a product called HIVE to switch my heating on half an hour before I get in. Just turn it on when you get in FFS!

Honestly, society is going to get to the point where no-one will be able to do anything without modern technology!

I can see that Alexa can be a fun and useful thing to have, get one if it makes your life better but be aware that, even though it feels as if she is your personal assistant the truth is that amazon are paying this piper and they call the tune

I bought an Alexa show, it went back to Curry's, it wasn't compatible with my BT hub

Such sense being spoken on this thread about the true purpose of these devices!
Have you ever seen apple computers first tv advert? Aired in 1984?
The irony!
m.youtube.com/watch?v=VtvjbmoDx-I

I haven't read TWT but please, what happens, if there's a power cut?

This thread has made me think I should get Alexa because nobody else in this house ever listens to me.

I don't have alexa but love the smart tech stuff, use wemo for the lights, nest for thr heatinf/water, ring for the doorbell.

what happens, if there's a power cut?

You can't tell the time, listen to the radio and don't know what's on your to-do list.

Other people can do the above during a power cut.

I was dead against getting one for the reasons cited above. I was bought one for Xmas last year and it’s great for playing music. I turn it off when I’m not listening to it. This thread is reminding me why I shouldn’t use it at all.
I heard on a radio programme recently that chips are being implanted in employees in some companies already in this country. Being sold to employees as ‘it’s so convenient, you don’t need a lanyard’. My blood turned to ice in my veins. Why are so many people just accepting the erosion of their civil liberties in this way? It’s trully terrifying.
The worst thing is that the ‘younger generation’ have no idea what’s coming.

Doesn't everyone's heating already have a timer you can set to come on before you're home?

I'm thinking Alexa would be really good for elderly people with mobility or sight issues to be able to control everything with a command. How does it switch things on/off though?