The Amazon Echo with Alexa stood prominently on the table in the living room beside my dad’s chair. We were visiting for Christmas, and the novelty of this new device was instantly embraced by my kids and my wife.
“Alexa, play Christmas music,” said my wife. Suddenly it started to play something traditional.
“No, Alexa, play ‘Cake by the Ocean,’” said one of the kids. It began to play.
“I don’t like that song. Alexa, play some ‘Jingle Bell Rock,’” said my daughter.
This dialogue of starting and stopping happened about 20 times, changing tunes about every 10 seconds.
I had been considering getting Alexa for our own home, but after that instant disagreement, I told the family I didn’t want to go through a constant battle.
But like it…
