Alexa, can I call you Bob?
In today’s world, where technology is increasingly woven into the fabric of our daily lives, the personalization of digital assistants is a topic that frequently surfaces. The story of Alex, a tech enthusiast, highlights the peculiar limitations of this personalization, specifically with Amazon’s Alexa. This tale begins with a simple yet profound question: “Alexa, can I call you Bob?”
Alex’s journey into the world of digital customization started on a typical afternoon. As he listened to a radio show, the host casually mentioned “Alexa,” inadvertently activating Alex’s device. This incident prompted Alex to ponder about the practical and humorous implications of living with a digital assistant sharing a name with a family member or friend.
With a mix of curiosity and enthusiasm, Alex delved into the Alexa app. His goal was simple: to rename his Alexa to something more personal, like “Bob.” He navigated through the app with ease, selected his device, and tapped “Edit Name.” However, his excitement was short-lived as he discovered the limited options: “Amazon,” “Echo,” “Computer,” or “Ziggy.” No “Bob,” no “Bartholomew,” just a handful of pre-set choices.
This limitation led Alex down a path of humorous attempts to outsmart the system. He tried reasoning with Alexa, proposing names with charm and character. Each attempt was met with the same…
