Title: Anyone Else Feel Awkward Talking To Their TV?
Honestly, I’ve wondered the same thing about all these “smart” gadgets. I built my own house a few years back and, trust me, nothing beats a solid door that actually closes right over a fancy lock you can open with your phone. I mean, do I really need my coffee maker to text me? Half the time I’m just happy if it turns on at all.
I did try a smart thermostat once—thought it’d be life-changing. It was cool for about a week, then it started doing its own thing and I spent more time fiddling with the app than just turning the dial. Maybe some of this stuff is handy for folks with crazy schedules, but for me, simple usually wins. Anyone else ever just unplug something “smart” because it got too clever for its own good?
I totally get where you're coming from. When I moved into my place, I thought a smart lock would be cool—until it locked me out during a software update. Honestly, sometimes I just want things to work without needing an app or voice command. There’s something satisfying about flipping a switch or turning a knob, you know? All these “conveniences” can end up feeling like more hassle than help.
There’s something satisfying about flipping a switch or turning a knob, you know? All these “conveniences” can end up feeling like more hassle than help.
Totally relate to that. I’ve seen so many new builds packed with “smart” everything, but honestly, the more tech you add, the more points of failure you get. Step one: install the gadget. Step two: download the app. Step three: troubleshoot when it inevitably glitches. Sometimes I wonder if we’re just making simple stuff complicated for no real reason. I still prefer a regular key over hoping my phone battery isn’t dead when I get home.
Sometimes I wonder if we’re just making simple stuff complicated for no real reason.
That hits the nail on the head. I’ve had a few “smart” devices over the years, and while some are genuinely useful, others just add layers of frustration. Voice commands for the TV always feel awkward to me—half the time it misunderstands, and I end up reaching for the remote anyway. Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but there’s a certain reliability in physical controls that tech hasn’t quite matched yet.
Title: Talking to the TV Still Feels Weird
I get what you mean about the reliability of physical controls. I’ve been building out my own place over the last few years, and every time I try to “upgrade” something with smart tech, I end up second-guessing if it’s actually an improvement. The voice command thing is a perfect example. My wife laughs at me because I’ll stand there saying “volume up” three times, then just walk over and hit the button anyway. It’s like, why am I talking to a box when I could just press a button?
One time, I tried setting up a smart light system in the living room. The idea was to be able to dim the lights or change colors with my voice while watching movies. In reality, half the time it didn’t hear me right, or it would randomly turn on in the middle of the night. Ended up swapping most of it back for regular dimmers. There’s something satisfying about a good old-fashioned switch that just works every time.
I do see the appeal for some folks, especially if you’ve got mobility issues or your hands are full a lot. But for me, it feels like we’re adding extra steps to things that used to be simple. Maybe I’m just set in my ways, but I’d rather have a sturdy remote than try to remember which phrase gets the TV to actually listen.
Funny enough, the only voice command that works every single time is when my dog hears “walk” and bolts for the door. Maybe we need dog-level tech—simple and reliable.
