Georgia Tech Tests Assistants in Dorms

Like to see not only what is being done, but what skills are seen as being most useful in varying contexts, here in a Georgia Tech dorm, a university known for practical engineering.  Worked with them on Tech applications.   Can we get a read out about which skills provided end up being most useful? Especially beyond what you would typically call 'hospitality' functions.   Will follow up.

Amazon Alexa pilot begins in Towers dorm  at Ga Tech By Polly Ouellette
On the evening of Feb. 7, all residents of Towers Residence Hall were invited to pick up their very own Amazon Dot, a voice-controlled personal assistant that they would install in their dorm room.

The Dots, which can be paired with a bluetooth speaker, will respond to verbal commands that tell the device to play music, get the weather and listen to the news. Additionally, students will be able to perform several Tech-specific operations.  .... "

(Update) This was previously also tested at AZ State in August 2017.

Smart Displays beyond Voice?

Now emerging, the 'Smart Display', which takes voice interaction to a new place, which is why amazon is calling it voice-first on their Show and Spot assistants.  Now Google is planning to introduce this year 'smart displays' to be attached to their Google Home Assistants.    But are these tablets,  touch screens, or simpler PCs that may pop up a keyboard?   And how will you best navigate, if at all,  beyond voice?  Been noting that issue on the Amazon Show.   Voice is limiting for navigation, so Show adds touch, Can gesture or brain-wave take over?

FastCompany Discusses:
Google Hasn’t Cracked The Smart Display’s Complexity Problem
Navigation remains a challenge for the onscreen versions of Google Assistant and Alexa. But it’s tough to solve without turning a simple device into a PC. .... "