Yeah the issue is that you're never going to spend money through a voice interface, which is I think what they were hoping.
The other big issue is that it's not smart enough for any random request to work, so you just learn a few useful ones (timers, music, thermostat maybe...) and stick with those.
I think things might change when/if they hook up ChatGPT-level AI to them... but I still wouldn't spend money that way.
I have ordered dog treats through my Echo. “Alexa, reorder Charlie Bears” but you have to audibly enter a PIN, if I recall correctly. Eh, I might do it again, but it never occurs to me.
But you’re spot on about learning commands instead of it understanding randomly phrased requests.
The other big issue is that it's not smart enough for any random request to work, so you just learn a few useful ones (timers, music, thermostat maybe...) and stick with those.
I think things might change when/if they hook up ChatGPT-level AI to them... but I still wouldn't spend money that way.