Voice Assistants: What are they?

The possibility of communicating with artificial intelligence was pure utopia until a decade or so when limited such interactions to the Hollywood world writers’ imagination.

Giving commands to a computer has always required the use of a keyboard or, in any case, an interface that acted as an intermediary between human thought and the actual execution by the electronic components.

Today, things have changed, and the first artificial intelligence is starting to come out of development centers and populate users’ homes.

Among the first voice assistants aimed at consumers, we find Siri, developed by Apple and present on all its devices, starting with the iOS 5 software version. For example, Microsoft developed Cortana, making it available for Windows Phone, Windows 10, and even the Xbox One gaming console.

For those wondering what their actual capabilities are, it is easy to say. This artificial intelligence allows you to carry out conversations, send SMS, set the alarm clock, and get various types of information such as weather forecasts, restaurants, telephone numbers, cinema shows, directions, and anything that can be useful in everyday life using only your voice. Thus simplifying the search operations, especially if you have your hands full.

Amazon and Google take the field.

Other big names in the sector could not stand by, and even Google and Amazon have taken this path. The first, with its Google Home, while the online sales giant has developed Amazon Echo, allows you to interact with Alexa. These two devices expand the concept of voice assistant, implementing it in the home environment to make the home “smart.”

But what are the real potential of voice assistants, and why are they so appreciated? Partly the reason is to be found in the desire for greater convenience on the part of consumers. For example, it is much easier to ask your voice assistant to search for a song to listen to it in real-time while cooking, working or any other situation where you can’t get distracted.

The comforts do not end here as they can also search for information on the web and give you accurate answers about commercial products, learning your search patterns and then proposing solutions that suit you.

Assistants and Smart TV

The voice assistant available is currently linked to the device’s brand, so you have to choose the most suitable one according to your needs. However, things may change soon as South Korean home Samsung, best known for smartphones, tablets, and TV, has announced the arrival of third-party programs such as Apple’s iTunes and even assistants like Alexa and Google Home on its Smart TV.

To use them, you will still need to equip yourself with a smart microphone, sold on the main online commercial channels. Initially, the integration was limited to simply turning on the TV, increasing or decreasing the volume, and a few other commands. However, it is reasonable to expect an evolution given the growing demand from the public.

How to make a home ” Smart.”

If you are intrigued and interested in the possibilities offered by this technology, you may want to try these devices by hand, or it would be better to say, ” with voice. ” Before buying one, you should consider the use you will make and the hidden additional costs.

At the moment, the smart microphones that allow voice assistants do not have a high cost, and in their basic version, they are very accessible. However, to work properly, they need a home Internet connection, wired or wireless, to hook up. So make sure you have this requirement before purchasing.

Listen to music

One of the advantages most appreciated by buyers is the ability to listen to the music you want. It would help if you considered the need for a subscription that allows you to perform your favorite songs.

Depending on the service chosen, the cost is variable, so you should not fall into the temptation to buy the new electronic gadget of the moment without considering the hidden costs for its correct functioning.

Other applications

The usefulness of voice assistants does not end here, since if you decide to make your entire apartment smart, you can take advantage of other benefits such as the ability to turn lights off or on (also available separately) with voice commands, a movie perspective. Thus, science fiction finally becomes a reality.

Other household appliances will soon arrive on the market, which can be put into operation via your voice by exploiting the assistants’ interaction. So imagine setting the washing machine or dishwasher to wash while you are busy with other chores without necessarily having to distract yourself.

Future perspectives

The attention of companies is currently all on this artificial intelligence. Even car manufacturers like the Mercedes brand have begun to develop their own voice assistants to be implemented in the passenger compartment to manage the control of components better and respond to user commands in an immediate and precise way, thus effectively reducing the need to go to the workshop to check the car, unless there is a reported fault.

There is no real limit to the technology as it can extend to any field. In the future, many telephone operators may replace customer support with these devices, humanizing rumors so convincingly that it feels like they’re on the phone with a real person.

This will also entail the entry of ethical implications and a strong impact on the world of work. However, this is not a good excuse to stop the technological evolution that could make life less hectic and more human-friendly.