> Very frustrating when there is a lot of potential

this is my experience as well. Often my Alexa gets told to F-off.

ME: "Alexa play music"

Alexa : Playing Spotify...

Nothing..no music.. repeat asking it to play music.. nothing.

> The push for engagement is what is killing it for me.

It had potential, but instead of getting the basics working they keep focusing on everything else?

I dont care about Alexa telling me about all the new things it can do when it cant do the core reason i bought for reliably.

Now it is relegated to telling me the weather, being a kitchen timer, and adding items to my shopping list.