Amazon Echo and Alexa are pretty cool virtual assistants to have so that we get to live in a science fiction future. But it doesn't feel like we're living in the future unless we can convince ourselves that we're actually on an old science fiction television show. You might prefer a virtual assistant more like Theopolis on Buck Rogers in the 25th Century than a subtle assistant that fits modern decor.
Instructables member dermbrian sympathizes. He repackaged his Amazon Echo to reflect vintage science fiction aesthetics. The new case is actually a cookie tin to which he added LED notification lights. One of these is ominously labeled "sentience". If that unfortunate event happens, dermbrian can use the toggle switch, which is as shut-off for the entire system in response to an AI uprising.
The voice is nice. But, personally, if I had a digital assistant, I'd want it voiced by Majel Barrett Roddenberry.
-via Hack A Day