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API.AI is really great but I really don't like this UX.<p>From using and developing for the Amazon Echo for the last year or so this "Conversational" setup just sounds super unnatural.<p>You want bus times:
Amazon: "Alexa, ask [nextbus] [for the next bus]"
Google: "Hey Google, let me talk to [nextbus] <wait> when is the next bus?"
Perfect: "[keyword], when is the next bus?" (context set in advance for the specific bus you care about)<p>You want to control the lights:
Amazon: "Alexa, turn off the [kitchen lights]"
Google: "Hey Google, let me talk to [the house] <wait> [turn off] the [kitchen lights]"
Perfect: "[keyword], turn off the lights" (contextually turn off the lights immediately nearest the source of the voice. optionally "turn off the [named] light"<p>You want to activate a scene:
Amazon: "Alexa, [turn on|activate|start] [scene name]"
Google: "Hey Google, let me talk to [the house] <wait> activate [scene name]
Perfect: "[keyword], [time for a movie|it's bedtime|good morning]"<p>I haven't seen or heard of a single "Conversational" app for the Echo that has real usage. I just don't think that's the killer app (at least until they get smarter). The current killer apps are being able to:
- Set timers/alarms
- Ask quick questions (measurements, weather, time)
- Control home automation<p>I just don't think the experience of talking back and forth to a bot is that enjoyable (again, yet, maybe in a Her future).