  The popularity of voice-controlled smart speakers with intelligent personal
assistants (IPAs) like the Amazon Echo and their increasing use as an interface
for other Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in the home provides
opportunities to study smart speakers as an emerging and ubiquitous IoT device.
Prior research has studied how smart speaker usage has unfolded in homes and
how the devices have been integrated into people's daily routines. In this
context, researchers have also observed instances of smart speakers' 'black
box' behaviour. In this position paper, we present findings from a study we
conducted to specifically investigate such challenges people experience around
intelligibility and control of their smart speakers, for instance, when the
smart speaker interfaces with other IoT systems. Reflecting on our findings, we
discuss new possible directions for smart speakers including physical
intelligibility, situational physical interaction, and providing access to
alternative interpretations in shared and non-shared contexts.
