I totally get the awkwardness factor. I tried voice commands for lighting and music at home, and while it's convenient sometimes, it can also feel a bit silly—especially when guests are over and I'm yelling at the ceiling to dim the lights. 😂
"Half the time I'd end up repeating myself louder and louder, like arguing with a stubborn toddler."
This made me laugh because it's exactly my experience. Also, the random activations you mentioned are spot on—nothing like your TV suddenly chiming in during a tense movie scene.
The eco-friendly angle is interesting though. Hadn't really thought about fewer remotes meaning less plastic waste. Still, I'd probably prefer companies just made remotes more durable or recyclable instead of pushing voice tech as the only solution.
Curious if anyone's found a happy medium with voice tech—like using it selectively for certain tasks but sticking to buttons for everything else?
Yeah, same here. I've found voice commands handy for quick stuff like timers or weather checks, but for actual entertainment controls... buttons just feel quicker and less intrusive. Plus, nothing beats a solid remote when you're half-asleep on the couch, right?
I get your point about remotes being easier when you're half-asleep, but honestly, once I got used to voice commands for navigating streaming apps, it felt way smoother. Beats fumbling around in the dark for buttons... though it did take some getting used to.
"Beats fumbling around in the dark for buttons... though it did take some getting used to."
Yeah, I totally agree—once you get past the initial awkwardness, voice commands are pretty handy. My only gripe is that some TVs or streaming devices require specific phrasing, and if you're half-asleep or mumbling, it can get frustrating real quick. Plus, I still feel a bit silly talking to my TV when someone's around... but hey, convenience usually wins out in the end.
Haha, yeah, I still haven't fully mastered the art of talking to my TV without feeling like a total weirdo. Half the time it misunderstands me anyway—I ask for Netflix and it starts searching for "neck flicks" or something random. But honestly, late at night when my eyes refuse to open, voice commands have saved me from accidentally turning on the news at full volume... again. Guess embarrassment is just the price we pay for laziness.
