alt Hacker News> I can't imaging a point where I won't want to ask "what's the weather like?" "please turn off the lights"
To help with understanding that perspective, I cannot imagine a scenario where I would ask a device connected to the internet to turn off the lights. I literally never wanted this. A physical switch is a 100% non negotiable for me. I feel the same way about non-mechanical car doors.
Perhaps due to that outlook I was always puzzled about the entire idea of an "assistant". It's interesting for me to see, that there are people out there who actually want that "assistant".
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You don't watch Iron Man and want a JARVIS? Current systems are pretty far away from that, but that's the overall draw.
Have you never... asked a person a question? to do something for you? to pass the salt? what time it was?
Maybe you're a little strange but it cannot be that much of a stretch for you to consider using speech to ask for things.
Not wanting to hide things behind Internet connected computers is fine, being unable to imagine wanting to use your voice to ask for things is a little silly.
The switch is a necessity.
Ever end up cooking or something when the phone/doorbell rings and you want to pause the music? Have your hands full and wanted to open a door? Hear the weather and then the news as you brew coffee or put your shoes on (without interaction with a bright screen)?
You should save some money and keep some privacy doing it your way :)