Hacker News Reader

Kids have been communicating with "Santa" since forever. This is just another way to do the same - a modern "Santa Hotline". Nothing new under the sun.

Why?

I have had quite a bit of fun/bonding with my child over it https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45575175

"Please don't post shallow dismissals, especially of other people's work. A good critical comment teaches us something."

https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

That’s because it is a sinister idea.

Watch as your child's eyes light up when Santa remembers their name, asks about their day, and responds to their wishes in real time.

$99 for 60 minutes of your child interacting with, their voice getting sent to Google. In a best case scenario, a parent who could already fill that role is standing by.

Mental how OP is showing it off so proudly.

Can't help but imagine some kid being shunted off to the side during Christmas with only this thing to talk to while their parents are much too busy drinking and listening to some esoteric tech/acc podcast.

Or maybe it's something that parents can do with their children, since that's clearly the intent. It's also the convention for "letters to Santa" since...forever.

Honestly, it doesn't take much of a good faith effort to see this.

Diamond Age: A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer