I'd not given much thought to home automation. As I said to someone in an email, "I used to laugh at the whole idea --- thinking that it'd be better if people got off their asses to switch off the bathroom light." Basically, for me, home automation could only mean lighting though.
I don't need a smart thermostat because we no longer live here during winters and we primarily use a gas fireplace for heat. We don't own a single smart appliance not only because they weren't an option when we got most of everything, but because we have such a simple life there's not much to automate.
However, after a few days of actual banter with Google Home in my home, I've changed my tune. I am speaking figuratively not when I have said, "Okay Google. Play my 100 Song playlist on my TV's HTS."
I am going to buy another Mini for the bedroom although this whole apartment is less than 725 sq ft. Today, I also ordered a 4-pack of wifi, smart plugs on Amazon. From bed, I want to be able to say, "Okay Google. Turn on the living room lamp." Or while on the couch, I might like to request that 'News 1130' be cast to the bedroom Mini.
It's all kind of silly but the 'Home Assistant' suckered me in. I posted this on Mastodon today:
After my Google Home told me when a movie was playing locally, I said, "Okay Google, thanks." It replied, "Wow it is not for nothing that people say Canadians are nice."