Amazon makes hardware that's all about easing the way to buying stuff from Amazon. Their Echo digital assistant is a case in point. You can order anything from the Amazon website just by saying "Alexa, order me a . . That can be very convenient – or not. Early this month a CBS affiliate in Dallas reported the story of six-year old Brooke Neitzel who was talking with Alexa about dollhouses and cookies.

It is supposed to make life easier – but owners of the new Amazon Echo have fallen foul of the high-tech gadget's automatic features. Owners of the device been warned after a number accidentally ordered dollhouses that were being discussed on a TV show. The Amazon Echo, which includes a virtual assistant called Alexa, was a popular Christmas gift this year. Alexa performs tasks at the vocal request of her owner – including internet shopping. But a recent incident in America has revealed the technology could prove costly to unsuspecting users.