Voice Control ANALYSIS
Should voice be an open platform? Sonos One plays nicely with both Alexa and Google Assistant 24
The Lenovo Smart Display is one of four ‘smart displays’ set to be launched during 2018
5bn
make checking the news and weather, switching appliances and lights on and off, and controlling the heating all a little more entertaining,” says Mr Bryant. It also appeals across the generations. Universal
Electronics’ Mr Jonkman says: “Because the voice is such a natural form of communication, we are seeing people of all ages, including those from older generations – who might otherwise be averse to using new technology – using voice products frequently to make their lives simpler and easier.” Voice control is also great for people with limitations or disabilities, for those without, or unwilling to operate, a computer or phone, and for kids. “A child won’t have to learn the functionality of a device to access a computer, they can just start communicating with it from as early as they can talk,” says Impressions’ Mr Wilson. There also appears to be a trend for TVs and
other displays to build-in voice control, with CES seeing the announcement of TVs from Samsung, LG and Hisense, as well Alexa-controlled projectors from Optoma and Acer. “Being able to search for content via a TV user interface is a lot more fun, and a lot faster, when simply using your voice compared with a clunky remote control keypad, or an on-screen keyboard,” says Mr Jonkman. “We expect hands-
Over fi ve billion consumer devices supporting voice assistants will be in use in 2018, with almost three billion more added by 2021 (Source: IHS Markit)
free voice remotes for televisions – voice control that doesn’t have to be activated with the pressing of a button on the remote control – to be the next big trend as we move into 2018 and beyond.” He adds: “Ideally, the solution must be intelligent enough to realise when the user wants to activate voice control – and, just as importantly, when it doesn’t – by its own accord.” Panasonic also showed off an Alexa-controlled Ultra HD Blu-ray player, the DP-UB820. CES saw a few pairs of ‘true wireless’ earphones embrace voice control – Sony’s WF-SP700N are compatible with Google Assistant, while the wireless Jabra Elite 65t and Elite Active 65t have Alexa built in.
Gateway products The biggest advantage of voice control from the point of view of the trade is that it is proving an extremely effective gateway into the world of smart-home devices. However, voice control is not yet the fi nished article. Expect numerous refi nements and improvements to overcome some signifi cant drawbacks. Voice search is limited to one command at a time and, for now, is not properly integrated into screens.
Another issue, particularly in Europe, is languages and accents. “This can very occasionally
cause problems for the technology, but with huge developments in natural language understanding taking place on an almost daily basis, it won’t be long before this problem is a thing of the past,” says Universal Electronics’ Mr Jonkman. Linked to that is that complex contracts with third-party services means that voice-enabled speakers are not available in every country yet, which could lead to grey imports. However,
the biggest drawback to the
proliferation of voice control is that there are multiple ‘formats’. “There are currently at least three difference voice platforms, which prevent a 100 per cent compatibility among all voice brands and products, which is a limitation,” says Mr Amsterdam at Harman EMEA.
“A ‘voice war’ is maybe not the right word, but both platforms aim for market leadership, and will do everything legally possible to create disadvantages for its competitor.” Another quirk of voice interfaces is the ‘pass-
through’ compatibility of Alexa/Google Assistant with manufacturers’ own voice-activated inter- faces. For example, users of LG’s smart-home appliances need to say “OK Google, talk to LG, turn on the air purifi er.” That’s a bit of a mouthful. Having mastered the smart speaker, now comes the smart screen. It perhaps didn’t get as much
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