Alexa, Google, Siri – are they worth it for real life?

Everyone keeps asking me: “Should I get one of those talking speaker things?”

Last month I spent a week testing Alexa, Google Nest, and Apple HomePod with five different clients in Reading – ages 68 to 91 – plus my own daughter who has limited hand movement.

Here’s what actually worked (and what didn’t):

Best everyday wins

• Setting timers for pills or the oven – “Alexa, remind me at 6 pm to take my tablet”
• Turning lights on/off without getting out of bed or the armchair
• Listening to Radio 4 or Heart 80s with one sentence
• Hearing the weather before deciding which coat to wear
• Calling family hands-free (“Alexa, call Emily mobile”)

My daughter’s favourite She controls the bedroom lights and music completely by voice now. That’s proper independence.

The surprises

• The microphones are brilliant – they hear you from the kitchen even with the kettle boiling
• You don’t need a smart phone to set most things up – I did it all on my phone for them
• Tesco and Sainsbury’s now let you add milk to the shopping list by voice

The honest downsides

• They sometimes answer when you’re talking to a real person (we laugh and say “Alexa, stop!”)
• You have to be online (but most of us are anyway)

My verdict after a month?
If you ever say “I wish I didn’t have to get up to turn the light off”, or you’d like reminders without fiddling with a phone – yes, they’re worth it. Start with a cheap Echo Dot (£29 on offer) and I’ll pop round and set it up for you.

Already got one gathering dust? Book a visit and we’ll make it actually useful.

→ Book a free 15-minute chat – I can talk you through which one suits you best