{"id":45654,"date":"2024-11-04T15:45:21","date_gmt":"2024-11-04T20:45:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/?p=45654"},"modified":"2024-11-04T16:01:02","modified_gmt":"2024-11-04T21:01:02","slug":"why-alexa-hasnt-yet-become-the-real-computer-of-the-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/2024\/11\/04\/why-alexa-hasnt-yet-become-the-real-computer-of-the-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Alexa Hasn’t Yet Become the Real Computer of the Future"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

Fast-forward to today, and there are over 40 million Echo smart speakers in US households<\/a>, with Alexa processing billions of commands a week globally. But despite this proliferation of products and popularity, the “superhuman assistant who is there when you need it, disappears when you don’t, and is always working in the background on your behalf” that Amazon promised<\/a> just isn’t here.<\/p>\n

Alexa is still mainly doing what it’s always done: playing music, reporting the weather, and setting timers. Its capabilities have expanded — Alexa can now do useful things like control your lights, call your mom, and remind you to take out the trash. But despite a significant investment of time, money, and resources over the last decade, the voice assistant hasn’t become noticeably more intelligent. As one former Amazon employee<\/a> said, “We worried we’ve hired 10,000 people and we’ve built a smart timer.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Via Dan Moren<\/a>:<\/p>\n

There was a real feeling of breakthrough to that original product, but—not unlike Siri—it feels like it never really moved a base level of functionality, despite all of Amazon’s efforts.<\/p>

I think a big part of what has stymied Amazon in particular is trying to figure out where the Echo fit into its overall strategy. If Apple’s business is selling hardware and Google’s is selling ads, Amazon’s biggest might be shopping? But the shopping experience from the Echo has always been weird and less than ideal.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n

I can see why Alexa could be viewed as a disappointment, but I’m happy to have a device that does the basics really well. We have both an Echo and a HomePod in our kitchen, and everyone defaults to asking Alexa instead of Siri. We even tend to use it for music, even though it sounds much worse. Even though we don’t subscribe to Amazon Music, it has a higher chance of actually playing<\/a> the requested song. The HomePod is for more deliberate music playing via AirPlay and for getting a second opinion when looking up information.<\/p>\n\n

Nick Heer<\/a>:<\/p>\n

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Siri remains software I distrust. Like Federighi, I would struggle to list my usage beyond a handful of simple commands — timers, reminders, and the occasional message. Anything else, and it remains easier and more reliable to wash my hands if I am kneading pizza dough, or park the car if I am driving, and do things myself.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Previously:<\/p>\n