Easy when you Know How

摘要

Alexa, can you write this column for me?" Well, it was worth asking. Since buying my Amazon Echo a year ago, I've got into the habit of asking Alexa for many things: news updates, today's weather, answering crossword clues (but only as a last resort so I can kid myself it's not cheating). I was sceptical about the appeal of smart speakers when they appeared. As our Gadget Graveyard column shows every issue (see page 29), numerous devices have launched hoping to change the world, only to fail miserably.