Ask HN: What do you call your computer friend?

Spyware is a great name for all kinds of listening devices.

"That whose name must not be spoken".

I've got three or four of the small Alexa devices but I'm not allowed to set them up in the house because of paranoia.

Those paranoid people in your house seem to be great people. Sure you don't want to share their greatness?

It's not paranoia if these devices are, in fact, listening. That's their whole purpose. I've grown comfortable with Google Home only because I intend to eventually replace it with a homegrown solution.

It's not paranoia because the threat is real. Being afraid to use the toaster is paranoia.

Unless it is internet connected ...

My wife asked me why I was carrying a gun in the kitchen

I said, "Decepticons"

I laughed

My wife laughed

The toaster laughed

I shot the toaster

Digital Brother? All-Seeing Eye? All-Hearing Ear? Stasi-Kumpel?

We call ours "Googs."