I remember a teacher in 10th grade who used to reprimand the student next to me, “don’t talk back.” Of course, then he talked back. I wonder did that guy (who always wore his varsity letter jacket regardless of the temperature) go on to help invent Siri or Alexa?

Anyhow, we welcomed Alexa into our home recently. Say her name correctly and she always talks back. I’m fascinated with how far the voice recognition ability of iOt has come. My car has what was state-of-the-art nav seven years ago. Today that car turns my saying “Grand Rapids” into something unrecognizable. On my iPhone I purposely mispronounce my sister’s names to get Siri to call the right number.

Alexa worked perfectly right out of the box. I started with the easy stuff: the news headlines, weather and playing music. Then I graduated to adding a few items to the shopping list. Finally I ventured out and ordered something. Yes, the roll ran out (you know where) and I ordered TP. A whole case showed up in two days. My wife was quick to say, “Wrong brand, wrong ply and it wasn’t even that great a price.” I didn’t talk back.

Jamie Michelson, President/CEO

Photo @CNET