We need to talk about: Connected Homes

@Mike_raven

Alexa, good morning... That’s how my day starts, everyday. And I love it. Who would have thought this little round dot on my side table would bring me such joy? I’m sure when I was younger, I dreamed of the day that I could turn a light on with my voice, let alone play music, boil a kettle and even order a taxi. It sounds like absolute madness, but the time has finally arrived and I’m living for it!

Now there are sceptics who say the connected home is making us lazy, to whom I say “good day to you”, and stroll off chuckling to myself about their primitive way of living. Of course, I could get up and turn on the lights using the switch on the wall (Alexa can sometimes be aloof, and leave me reluctantly shuffling off my seat to actually use my finger to flick a switch), or even look outside to find out what the weather is like. But, these people are missing the point.

The thing I love the most about having a virtual assistant to do all of these things for me, is that I get a chance to focus on me. Sure turning on a light, or even going out to get milk if I’ve ran out isn’t the end of the world - but why would I do that when I can sit back, relax and catch up on the latest episode of American Crime Story, or better yet go for a run and release all of those endorphins to make myself feel great? Of course we can all do those things AND still go about our daily lives, but I’m an advocate for simplifying the little things so that I have more time for me and the things I love. And it’s not just about talking to a strange women in the corner of the room. She’s just the icing on the cake, why not time everything to be autonomous. 6am: Lights on, turn the thermostat up, 6:05: Mariah Carey playlist (don’t judge), 6:30: Turn on kitchen lights and boil the kettle. See what I’m getting at? Your life will be changed for the better (Mariah Carey playlist optional, sort of).

Of course I could get up and turn on the lights using the switch on the wall, but these people are missing the point.

I’m not saying there aren’t pitfalls, obviously not every appliance comes ready and waiting for you to wail random commands at it, in the hope that it turns on and off, and there have been instances of Alexa randomly cackling when asked to perform minor tasks. There is also the whole concept of privacy. It’s a bit scary that Alexa might be listening to everything I say, but then again so is my phone, and maybe even my computer; and judging by the adverts I keep getting so is Facebook.

That being said, I’m not changing my mind and I’m on a mission to convert all sceptics.

Alexa is here to stay, and maybe one day (hopefully) our apartments and houses will come readily connected, but for now I’ll settle for a few lights and a kettle. “Alexa, order seven packets of crisps and a Toblerone.”