It's not even that natural; with a new baby in the house I've really grown to dislike Alexa just for how much I have to yell at it. We're not a loud household, but talking to Alexa is like talking to my grandfather without his hearing aids. Everything has to be said at least three times, in increasing volume levels.

I just rewatched all of TNG, and that's actually not the case: there are several instances where a crew member (often Geordi?) would speak to the computer in a more "human" conversational way. I recall one episode in particular where Geordi's trying to set the mood in his quarters for an impending date, and he's very conversationally refining the music choice until he gets what he wants.

Yep, Star Trek computers understand addressing, the conversation is modal: one does not need to begin every sentence with the keyword, a first use of the hotword (or implicitly in some cases, like entering a turbolift) combined with a specific tone makes the computer “open” the conversation. From then on, tone only is sufficient for the computer to know when it is being addressed. With a conversation opened, context is remembered.

I am flabbergasted that the following hasn’t been an option:

- hey Siri

- yes?

- what are the last three releases from <artist>?

- X Y and Z

- search again without EPs

- W X and Z

- Play the first one

- <playing W>

- thank you Siri

<conversation closed>

Also, with attention tracking that -already- exists with the FaceID array, the phone can know when it is addressed and when it’s not. You know, just like when you’re talking to someone, you usually look at them...

Context is a hard problem and even the best chatbots don't nail this.

Star Trek's computers also never had the "I don't know a device named 'Lights'" problem that Echo devices often suffer.