Voice-activated technology explained

Interconnected Voice Technology is a software program or hardware device that has the ability to decode the human voice. Sometimes referred to as voice-activated or speech recognition software, this technology has become more and more popular in recent years among everyday consumers. Many people incorporate these devices into multiple facets of their homes to perform commands, find information, or make recordings more conveniently. In fact, the size of the voice commerce market is expected to increase significantly over the next several years,

Use in everyday life

Though it has only seen widespread use in the last several years, voice activation and recognition technology already have a myriad of applications in different facets of everyday life. As a matter of fact, it’s become so popular so quickly that you’ve probably used or encountered voice-activated technology already. Some popular uses for voice-activated technology include:

Cars: Many cars now have voice-activated technology integrated directly into the vehicle itself. This includes things like smart car speakers and connected car hotspots to allow for easier and safe hands-free driving.
Home appliances: Many appliances, devices, and systems are now connected to the internet and to each other to make it easier than ever before for people to control, protect, and enjoy their homes. Many of these different smart home devices, such as thermostats and security systems, also make use of voice activation for that same purpose.
Laptops & tablets: It’s now common for laptops and tablets to have voice recognition built into the device so you can embrace a hands-free experience when you need or want to.
Personal digital assistants: Personal digital assistants are among the most popular uses of voice-activated technology. Many — such as Google’s Hey Google and Amazon’s Alexa — are integrated directly into popular smartphones so you can use them regardless of where you are or what you’re doing.
Wearable technology: Similarly, wearable technology like fitness trackers and smartwatches also allows you to use voice recognition whenever you have your device on your person. This can make it easier to use these devices altogether since they tend to have small screens and buttons.

What are the advantages?

Some of the biggest advantages include:

Accessibility: Voice activation allows a greater number of people to access digital technology, connected devices, and the internet more easily. It improves accessibility for people with disabilities, especially for individuals who have impaired vision or motor functions.
Connection: Voice activation can easily work with other connected technologies and devices in your home or workplace, such as smart appliances and speakers. This connection makes it that much simpler and faster to accomplish different tasks.
Convenience: Using voice activation can be significantly more convenient than typing something out on a keyboard or smartphone or manually completing a task. When using voice-activated technology, you’re able to use your mind and hands to do something else.
Personalization: Voice-activated technology creates a more personalized digital experience for users. This can include remembering information from previous interactions, offering helpful reminders, and distinguishing between multiple users from voice alone. In other words, the more you use voice activation, the easier and better it is for you to use.