Some, like Kraft's iFood Assistant, create mini-walled gardens.

FORBES: Media

But before I could get in a question, Bennett's assistant -- sensing a mini-public relations crisis from a drive-by interview -- interrupted and made clear Wolfowitz had picked up the wrong line.

CNN: Wolfowitz interview goes nowhere fast

With Google's voice assistant now available on iPhones and iPads, The Associated Press used an iPad Mini to throw five test questions at Google Now and Siri on Monday afternoon in New York.

NPR: How Siri, Google Now Respond To 5 Questions

Because it boots up in a few seconds, rather than thinking of the Acer as a mini laptop it might make more sense to view it as a beefed-up personal digital assistant, such as an old PalmPilot or Psion, but with a better screen and a proper keyboard.

ECONOMIST: Rational consumer