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“GO AHEAD, I’M LISTENING...” Hey Google, please ask Alexa to order the dog food For around 10 years, we’ve delighted in asking the little voice in our smart devices to call and text our contacts, search the internet and answer meaningless questions – just because it’s funny. The integration of voice assistants has truly changed the way we interact with the internet, our homes and each other, shifting from an addition to our smartphones, to a pillar of connectivity. A LITTLE PIECE OF SCIENCE FICTION Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant launched alongside the inaugural Echo in November 2014. Inspired by the computer voice system from Star Trek’s Starship Enterprise, Alexa is able to understand and action hundreds of commands straight out of the box, anything from setting timers and telling the time, to reading the news and knowing if you will need an umbrella. Additional downloadable third-party content means Alexa can learn more “skills” to grow in functionality – such as operating smart home systems. Since the launch of the Echo line (which became available to UK consumers in 2016) Amazon has widely expanded the range with both innovative new models and nextgeneration upgrades. The current line of products includes, but is not limited to, the 3rd generation Echo and its space-saving counterpart the Echo Dot, the Echo Show, equipped with a 10-inch touchscreen, and the Echo Studio, the hi-fi cousin. Amidst its many capabilities, the Amazon Echo range, armed with Alexa, lets users control their smart home, and even make purchases directly through their connected Amazon accounts, simply by asking. Made available alongside the first Google Home device in 2016, Google Assistant can engage with other devices about the home, such as turning on connected lighting and streaming services, as well as finding out if the weather will be nice next Tuesday. Not Google’s first foray into voice search, unlike it’s predecessor Google Now which focused
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on search, Google Assistant can respond, engaging in two-way conversation, much like Alexa or Siri are known to do, too. Google’s Home products come in a variety of sizes and models, and so are perfect for fitting into any home. At present, the range primarily features the Google Home and Nest lines. While Google Home is primarily voice assistant-controlled (smart) speakers, the Nest and Nest Max use touchscreens
Enabling friends and family to connect via video call, Facebook Portal landed on the counter tops and TVs of British consumers last October, 11 months after releasing in the US. Along with the “Hey Portal” voice command, the models currently available (Portal, Portal Mini, Portal+ and Portal TV) are equipped with in-built Alexa, to extend its hands-free capabilities. This lets users interact with Portal to stream music, control smart home devices and even order online.
The integration of voice assistants has changed the way we interact with the internet, our homes and each other (7” and 10” respectively), so users are able to watch YouTube videos, browse through their Google Photos and, with the built-in camera of the Nest Max, even video call family and friends. Whether adopting the little Google Home Mini or something a lot more substantial, Google Assistant lets users control their music, smart home, Chromecast streaming, and even recipes, just with their voices.
Originally a third-party app on the Apple App Store, but later bought out by Steve Jobs, Siri really became known to most consumers with the launch of the iPhone 4S in October 2011. Since then, the popular application has featured on every variation of the iPhone released. We’ve all gotten into bed without switching off the light and wished we could clap our hands to do it. Well, with the ever-increasing
