Most manufacturers also have a phone app. I use Phillips Hue light-bulbs, and they're OK. Sure, there are still privacy implications (NSA can tell if I'm home o

Most manufacturers also have a phone app. I use Phillips Hue light-bulbs, and they're OK. Sure, there are still privacy implications (NSA can tell if I'm home or not), but not as bad as having a bunch of microphones. My daughter can also control the lights with her tablet. Main downside: it's annoying to unlock phone, open the Hue app (which is oddly sluggish), wait for it to connect to the hub, then control a device. You can also write your own tools, for example, if you want to turn off lights when there are no mobile devices connected to the wifi (i.e. no one home). Otherwise I agree that those voice devices have big advantages for people with a disability, elderly, etc. I can't help thinking of old "clap on, clap off" ads from the 80s.