we use our echo and google home like you would use google on any other devie. Last night I was making dinner so I just said, "hey google, set a timer for 14 minutes." I'm constantly doing little things like checking the weather (or even the time if there's not a clock nearby) and in the morning I listen to the news while getting ready.
By and large, we mostly use them as voice UI for things we could already do on a phone or computer. My kids control youtube on the TV via google home and I have my echo dot plugged into my studio speakers at my desk and use it to control spotify. "Alexa, play my late night programming playlist on spotify."
Also, you find yourself doing things that seem corny in commercials but are kinda nice... when my kid asks, "how many people are there in the world." I just say, "well lets ask alexa." In the olden days I would have had to make up something like the dad from Calvin and Hobbes.