Here it is a year in with Alexa, and it has become such an integral part of my lifestyle I cannot imagine not having Alexa and my Echo Dots. I have one in my bathroom, one on my work desk, one in the kitchen and one next to my couch in my "living room". In my normal speaking voice, I ask it what time it is, or what the temperature is, or to be a timer for when to take the clothes out of the washer or food out of the oven. I can also ask questions about days, calendar events (or put events on my calendar). It will also allow making calls or listening to voicemail or reading email but I don't want to use those skills. Alexa is controlling all of my smart devices which now means all of my lights. It controls my heater, my TV, and reminds me to do mundane things like take my vitamins, take out the trash, move my car on street sweeping days, change the litterbox, etc.