This article is awesome. We were just contemplating maybe getting an Alexa the other day since we use Amazon so much... lol But also I see those Raspberry Pi's at the computer stores often and we always pause next to them and say "hey maybe we should try one of those out." They're a little expensive though, at least the ones on display. Maybe they are cheaper online or through smaller retail sources.
This post kind of triggered a memory of an interesting story. I have always been a Ray Bradbury fan but I hadn't read one of his works in over 20 years. This song "The Veldt" by deadmau5 surfaces as popular for a time:
And I found out it was based on a Ray Bradbury short story of the same name written in 1950:
https://www.juhsd.net/cms/lib/CA01902464/Centricity/Domain/256/2016_The%20Veldt.pdf
If this topic interests you might find that a bit inspiring, foreboding or very mixed who knows? Hard to believe it was written in 1950. Or maybe not so hard to believe. Man's imagination is an amazing thing.
Thank you bud! I've heard good things about the Amazon speakery things, but I'm so cautious when it comes it internet-enabled devices. If you're up for a bit of a project, you can build your own Alexa voice assistant with a Raspberry Pi: https://lifehacker.com/how-to-build-your-own-amazon-echo-with-a-raspberry-pi-1787726931
I can't listen to it right now sadly, but I'll play it first thing in the morning. I haven't read any of Bradbury's work, but I've been after a new audiobook for a while now actually so that's probably a good opportunity to try some out. There is so much good sci-fi from that period, it's a bit scary how prophetic some of it can be. I've always enjoyed Arthur C. Clarke's works ever since I was a kid.
I'll have a read of that while listening tomorrow, gives me a reason to get up early!