In one example of the disclosure, microphone data indicative of a user spoken phrase is captured utilizing the microphone at a communication apparatus. At least a portion of the microphone data is sent to a set of computing devices. A response phrase determined at a virtual assistant service is received from each of the computing devices. A preferred response phrase is identified among the set of received response phrases according to a preference rule. The preferred response phrase is caused to be output via a speaker at the communication apparatus.