Can you hear me, HAL?

Dear PropellerHeads: When can we expect to be able to talk to our computers like they did in 2001: A Space Odyssey?

A: On one hand, HAL is technically 14 years overdue. On the other hand, haven't you heard of Siri, Cortana, Google Now, or Samantha?

There are plenty of choices out there if you want to talk to a cyber being, ask it questions, or have it do some useful, clever things for you.

If you bought an Apple phone or table in the last four years or so, it came with Siri (apple.com/ios/siri). Revolutionary (when it came out), it sure seemed to me like a big step in the right direction, closing the gap on Arthur C. Clarke's dream. But this is old news. Microsoft introduced a Siri competitor, Cortana (bit.ly/1Gw4H6l), about a year ago and gives Siri a run for her money.

Google's "OK Google" (google.com/now) is a worthy competitor that works on most Android phones and your desktop Chrome browser. I don't know what I did before I was able to say "OK Google, driving directions to a liquor store."

There are also plenty of opinions on which of these is the best, bit.ly/1jmmyH3.

So, what's new, you say? Amazon has recently introduced Echo (echo... echo... Sorry I couldn't resist - amazon.com/echo) Still in early distribution, Echo has been available for about six months to Amazon Prime members ($99/year) as they continue to refine this product. Unlike the products already mentioned, Echo is a standalone device that connects to your Wi-Fi network and pairs with your phone via a downloadable app.

The 9 inches tall cylindrical speaker/microphone array stands at the ready for you to ask it questions, collect a to-do shopping list, play music, read books, or turn off your lights. Expected wide distribution price is $199. Simply call "Alexa" (or the less personable "Amazon") to wake the device and submit your query.

My early experience has been positive and entertaining. Echo has seven microphones, allowing it to cover a significant amount of your home and respond with a clear, pleasant, voice. It comes with a remote to extend its "earshot" even farther. It also has a fantastic voice recognition engine that will impress even the most skeptical new users. While still in beta, and thus a bit of a parlor trick, this platform appears to have a bright future as its capabilities grow.

Because it does not require a phone or computer to operate, anyone can ask it to set an alarm or timer, answer a trivia question, tell a joke, get a sports score, play audio/music or use any of its features. The phone and Web connections simply give you access to manage settings and access your to-do, calendar and shopping lists.

Echo keeps track of your Amazon music library, Pandora and your local radio stations, and a lot of free content that is conveniently accessed by voice. While this is something you can easily do with your phone or computer, it's nice to come home and simply say "Alexa, play Taylor Swift," and soon you will be shaking it off with your favorite Apple slayer.

Because Echo sits in your house, it is a natural to manage a smart home. Connections to Belkin WeMo (wemothat.com) and Hue/Phillips (meethue.com) are available now, with others expected. It also can function as a Bluetooth speaker, allowing you to stream your phone's content.

It didn't take long for folks to write some Echo automation scripts using If This Then That (ifttt.com). I particularly like the one that will email my shopping list at my behest (bit.ly/1FxmU2O). There are recipes (scripts) for Twitter, Gmail, Evernote, and much more.

So, is Echo ready for prime time? I dunno. I am impressed, but not everyone is. Same could be said for 2001 when it first came out. A common review says that at the introductory price it's a steal, but they would not pay the full price. I can't tell if they are reliably valuing this or just being cheap (cnet.co/1fuKicj).

When the PropellerHeads at Data Directions aren't busy with their IT projects, they love to answer questions on business or consumer technology. Email them to questions@askthepropellerheads.com or contact us at Data Directions Inc., 8510 Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23116. Visit our website at www.askthepropellerheads.com.