(POETRY) 'Alexa reviews' by Luca Fois

Get ready for the final flurry of Digital Dreamland pieces in the next few months! Next up is a poem from Luca Fois appraising the notorious device known as 'Alexa'.

Alexa reviews

Here we go, this could get long. 

I will start this by saying that I think 

smart speakers are a great invention. 

They are in all the rooms.

I bought this to replace an echo 

that was getting temperamental. 

Very easy to install, and fits 

in with my various uses. 

The best thing is playing

rock music. Enable

built in kills the devices. 

I was impressed when I opened 

the box for this echo. When I 

plugged it in it set itself 

completely - even knowing 

my router password?!? It was 

a total breeze. So here’s why 

I love it... ready, steady... go > > >

Calls from Anywhere: I can now yell 

“Hi child!” from my phone to the Echo 

while I’m out, and no one 

needs to pick up. Perfect!

Shopping Hero: Forget 

what to add to the list? Shout it 

at Alexa. Problem solved ha!

Reminder Queen: Birthdays? 

Done. Food timers? Covered. 

Time checks? Ask Alexa. 

Smart Home Boss: Motion 

sensing? Alexa’s got it.

Let's face it, Alexa isn't all about 

just switching on and off you 

lights and stuff. It is possible 

detect room occupancy and create 

a routine based on you being present 

in the room, or entering or leaving it.

I replaced my old Alexa which had not 

speaker of its own, less than an hour after it arrived 

I’m sitting here telling Alexa to switch on 

and off, feeling like some Tudor monarch.

Not as versatile as I had hoped

I don't like the limitations of Alexa 

The sound is outstanding for a unit the size 

of a Christmas pudding. This Echo has three 

speakers built in, one woofer and two tweeters, 

which promises Dolby sound, whatever 

that is. Small enough to fit 

almost anywhere and unobtrusive. 

We not had a Alexa before 

and are enjoying have it.

The difference in speed 

of response and understanding 

is massive. 

I purchased this new Echo 

to replace my old one ass…

It also states that it has Motion 

detection that can turn on lights… 

again… I’ve never been able to get 

it to work… I like this, but you need 

to have your wits about you... 

The problem I am referring to 

is the world of skills. 

They seem to be increasingly less 

controlled or regulated.

They can get activated 

without being clear 

as to what you have just done, 

and do not seem to be easily stopped. 

You can ask a question and activate 

a new skill. This creates a stressful 

environment and I would suggest

could counteract the benefits 

of the smart speaker concept. 

It is annoying the smart speaker 

system should be user 

friendly and encourage 

using all its functions. 

I find frustrating the ambiguity of use. 

You could say that you agree to be a slave 

by giving them this open access into your life. 

I do not think that was overly clear. I still like 

the smart speaker but I have developed 

a deep distrust of it because of the above. 

That makes my life more complicated as opposed 

to easier and more enjoyable, which seems 

detrimental? Interestingly, I do not have 

the same distrust about privacy. It’s great 

for playing music while cooking 

and for controlling the smart 

lights in the house too, brilliant.

The larger device has better hearing, 

whereas the Echo dot cannot hear you 

if you are not in the room, 

the larger Echo can! 

No more repeated instructions 

in a calm but exasperated voice 

as if talking to a disobedient dog. 

The large echo will always hear you 

and you will not have to repeat yourself 

when you are on the other side of the room. 

This new echo is very obedient! 

You can use the Alexa app to tell the Echo 

to do something such as turn on 

a fan according to the temperature. 

It has to be said that the experience

is of a rather cussed – 

it sometimes develops a habit

of playing things 

sometimes too quietly 

sometimes too loudly! 

It sometimes does not answer 

when you speak 

and you feel a fool 

talking to yourself! If you get this, 

you have to switch the Echo off 

and switch it on again. 

Update 26 Mar 2021: 

Having used this for a few month, 

everything seems to be working as well as, 

if not better than before. 

Other people are saying it doesn't 

respond. Other than the odd time 

when you have to call out a second time, 

I've not noticed any issues. 

Still very happy with it.

It's a shame they can't 

auto-adjust themselves 

without manual intervention. 

Imagine coming home 

after a long day at work 

and activating a routine 

that detects your footstep, 

welcomes you home, switches on 

the light and plays 

cool relaxing music. Sounds like he’s in 

the room with me. I don’t know how 

I lived without it! It looks great too!

I like that Alexa is able to recognise 

people voices, and give them names. 

But what truly sets the Echo apart 

is its intelligence. Alexa is like having a person

assistant. I can ask for weather updates, 

set reminders, and so much more, 

all with just my voice.

Don't get me wrong, it's OK, 

but the sound isn't 

as tight as it could be 

and is a bit wishy washy.

I’ve officially outsourced my brain.

Basically, I bought this Echo to replace 

myself. Now I can sit back, relax, and enjoy

I feel the system is heavily flawed.

~

Text: Luca Fois

Image: Jan Antonin Kolar / Unsplash

Published: 12/10/25