Mark Pilgrim: “In 1996, I had my entire apartment wired with X-10 devices … [controlled with] Speakable Items. ‘Connie, I’m home’ would turn on the lights, the air conditioner, and the stereo, check my email, and read me summaries of my unread mail. ‘Connie, goodnight’ would turn off all the lights and appliances, turn on the hall light, say ‘Dream not of today,’ and put the computer to sleep. I am not in the slightest way making this up.”