In 2011 Apple has presented with iPhone 4s a new functionality – a Baptiste vocal assistant called Siri: a practical app to dictate an SMS, to ask one`s iPhone how a number, composed or to search for a restaurant also in the surrounding. Three years later Amazon has launched in the USA the connected diffuser with the vocal assistant Alexa. A product which have arrived in France only in 2018, so it had enough time to learn the language of Moliere. In meanwhile Google has equipped the Work Smartphone with Google Assistant and has launched a variety of intelligent tips called Google Home (see picture). Some months later Apple has proposed HomePod the house speaker with Siri. With these products simply equipped with micros, which are destined to listen to our commands, the vocal assistant is also installed at home.
A Vocal Assistant is a butler who carries a voice
With them, a higher need to use a smartphone to launch the preferred music with a diffuser connected to the home WIFI. For activating them you have only to pronounce a magic formula “OK, Google”, “Alexa”, or “Dis Siri”, according to their original form. The tool is also set to enlight the room (with a WIFI bulb), gives meteorological forecasts, it reminds us of tonight`s tv programs, and as well as of the next day`s meetings and responds to different questions. And for a gloomy night, it has some jokes in its memory…
Till where does listening of a Vocal Assistant go?
Being listened to constantly by a device placed in the middle of the show is naturally a source of interrogation. Models equipped with a button, which permits to deactivate the microphones can temper those uncertainties – on the other side, it is possible to wait also for this function for the mobile phone. For the rest, it is clear that if Big Brother is hiding behind these devices, his intentions are above all … commercial. Our life rhythm, habits, and tastes, are precious information for an artificial intelligence responsible for decrypting our uses in order to offer us targeted products and services.
The Vocal Assistant analyses our emotions
These programs for analyzing will be soon able to move on. They should soon allow the assistants to recognize the voice of different users so that everyone can read his agenda or play his own playlist. The programs can also be capable to detect the humor of a person and to analyze the tone and rhythm of one`s voice. No doubt to offer us soothing music or a comforting TV series…
Connected home helped by a Vocal Assistant
The programs are also intended to drive more and more devices: bulbs and thermostats connected at the WIFI of the home, TV, locks, electric shutters, video camera, coffee machine or fridge… which of course involves equipping models connected to the newest technologies.
Did you know that…?
- 12 Millions of vocal assistants have been sold worldwide in the second trimester of 2018. Four times more compared to the last year.
- 28% of the French think that harming privacy is the main obstacle for buying a vocal assistant.