> Instead, it's a guessing game about syntax and semantics, and frequently a source of frustration
My biggest frustration with Alexa is getting it play the podcasts I want to listen to. Even popular podcasts with English names are hard to get just right for Alexa. The same goes for song titles and bands that are not popular, or they are in other languages.
Usually when I want to take a shower, I try to get the podcasts/music to play for 2 minutes, then sigh, give up and just say "Alexa play Britney Spears".
And discoverability. For a long drive I probably want to pick out some specific podcast episodes rather than play whatever. I'm just not a whatever background sound sort of person. The interfaces aren't really good enough to present me with some options with voice control only. So I end up mostly pre-populating a "Car" playlist.
My biggest frustration with Alexa is getting it play the podcasts I want to listen to. Even popular podcasts with English names are hard to get just right for Alexa. The same goes for song titles and bands that are not popular, or they are in other languages.
Usually when I want to take a shower, I try to get the podcasts/music to play for 2 minutes, then sigh, give up and just say "Alexa play Britney Spears".