Smart display is the control centre for Alexa-connected devices anyone in the home can use
December 2023
Pass notes
Masochist Britain: why is everyone asking Alexa to insult them?
The annual list of Alexa’s most-asked questions reveals evidence the UK is a nation of masochists, obsessed with football – and farting
October 2023
‘Knife party!’ The wild documentary showing four-year-olds can buy weapons on Amazon
TV prankster Oobah Butler wants to bring down the world’s biggest retailer – and he’s using his tiny nieces to do it. He talks guilt, going undercover and why staff have to urinate in bottles
September 2023
ChatGPT update will give it a voice and allow users to interact using images
The move will bring the artificial intelligence chatbot closer to popular voice assistants such as Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa
April 2023
Brief letters
Popping the cork when you’re on your own
Brief letters: Champagne celebration | Meaty matters | Problem potholes | Silencing Alexa | Bags of confusion
September 2022
Voice assistants could ‘hinder children’s social and cognitive development’
Researchers suggest devices such as Alexa could have a long-term impact on empathy, compassion and critical thinking skills
June 2022
Amazon’s Alexa could turn dead loved ones’ voices into digital assistant
Technology promises ability to ‘make the memories last’ by mimicking the voice of anyone it hears
May 2022
Alexa, why have you charged me £2 to say the Hail Mary?
Patricia Collinson, 87, unwittingly ordered an Amazon subscription for app to say a prayer
April 2022
Amazon Echo Show 15 review: bigger Alexa is good, but not yet better
Giant smart display offers a little more than smaller versions, packed with untapped potential
March 2022
How smart thermostats can save you fuel and money
As well as turning off your hot water or boiler as you leave home, some can offer to heat only rooms that need it
January 2022
Alexa whistleblower demands Amazon apology after being jailed and tortured
Amazon confirms Alexa outage in UK and mainland Europe
December 2021
Amazon’s Alexa device tells 10-year-old to touch a penny to a live plug socket
The child had asked the Echo smart speaker for a challenge, prompting her mother to post the response on Twitter
October 2021
Radio industry calls for government protection from smart assistants
Broadcasters fear Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant may gradually sideline UK content
September 2021
Amazon launches home robot Astro and giant Alexa display
Robot that can check on loved ones and pets is one of plethora of devices announced at big launch event
April 2021
Echo Show 10 review: this rotating Alexa display follows you around
Novel motorised smart screen tracks your movements to keep facing you for media and video calls
Amazon Echo Dot (4th gen) review: Alexa’s new small budget ball
Smart speaker ditches puck shape but keeps solid sound and function with or without LED clock display
Sonos Roam review: the portable speaker you’ll want to use at home too
Cheaper wifi speaker has Bluetooth plus Google or Alexa for great indoor and outdoor music
