Abstract :
They look like giant lips, baseball bats, or cartoon characters. They remember phone numbers when you can´t. They screen your phone calls, or tell you someone is breaking into your house. They respond to your verbal commands, they question the identity of callers or give them your forwarding number. They turn on your air conditioner or lights, or turn them off. They let you talk to your wife in the kitchen or your grandmother 3000 miles away.