I felt pretty weird about it at first too, especially when guests were over. I'd mumble commands quietly, hoping no one noticed I was chatting with the TV. But honestly, after a while, it just became another habit—like talking to pets or plants (which I also do, admittedly...).
Interesting point about energy consumption, though. Have you considered using smart plugs or timers to cut down on standby power? I've set up a few around the house, and it's surprising how much difference it makes over time. Plus, it feels good knowing I'm being a bit more eco-friendly without sacrificing convenience.
Also curious—do you find certain voice assistants easier or less awkward to talk to than others? For some reason, I feel way more comfortable giving commands to Alexa than Siri. Maybe it's the tone of voice or something...
"Also curious—do you find certain voice assistants easier or less awkward to talk to than others?"
Funny you mention that, because I definitely notice a difference. Alexa feels more conversational to me too, maybe because the responses sound less scripted? Siri always seems a bit formal or something...like I'm interrupting her day, haha.
About the energy-saving thing, smart plugs are great. Another tip I've found helpful is grouping devices together in routines. For example, I have a "Goodnight" routine that turns off the TV, lights, and other electronics all at once. It saves energy without me even thinking about it.
And yeah, talking to the TV felt super awkward at first. Now it's second nature—though I still catch myself whispering commands when people are around. Old habits die hard, I guess...
Agree with Alexa feeling more natural, but Google Assistant actually works best for me—it's quicker with follow-up questions and seems to understand context better. Siri does feel a bit stiff sometimes, like talking to a receptionist who'd rather be somewhere else...
Good call on grouping devices into routines. I've done something similar with my home theater setup, and it makes everything feel streamlined and intentional. Still not totally comfortable talking to my TV though...maybe someday it'll feel normal?
I get the appeal of routines and voice commands, but honestly, I'm still not convinced about talking directly to my TV. Maybe it's just me, but it feels a bit unnecessary—like adding complexity where a simple remote already does the job perfectly fine. Plus, from a budget perspective, investing in smart assistants or voice-enabled TVs seems like an extra expense that doesn't always justify itself.
Also, I've noticed that voice recognition isn't always reliable, especially with background noise or multiple people talking. Have you ever had to repeat yourself three times just to pause a show? It can get frustrating pretty quickly. I guess I'm curious if the convenience factor really outweighs these occasional hiccups and the added cost. Maybe I'm just old-fashioned, but for now, I'll stick with pressing buttons quietly...
You're definitely not alone—I tried voice commands for a bit, but honestly, it felt more like a novelty than a practical upgrade. Plus, remotes don't misunderstand you when you're munching chips or chatting with family... buttons still win for me.
