Integrating voice-search with Mobile Technology: A Peek into the Future

Human beings at typing have lost another battle to AI voice assistants. The voice recognition software is three times faster than human typing, which gives no reason to the people to go back to the typing from voice conversation. With the optimum use of mobile technology, the virtual friend has answers to every question and at times has even surpassed the intelligence of real-life human assistants.

The voice assistants working in hands-free and even eye-free scenarios have made the lives damn easier by allowing the people to easily multi-task, work faster and get the instant answer anytime, anywhere. The utter convenience and comfort are the reasons people are now confessing their undying love towards voice-search enabled digital assistants such as Apple’s Siri, Microsoft’s Cortana, Google Now from the search engine giant and Amazon’s Alexa. Soon, the voice search trend will become a go-to search mode for the users everywhere. The statistics nailing down the facts:

• 50% of all searches will be voice searches by 2020.
• 50% of consumers expected to use voice for shopping and voice commerce sales will reach $40 billion by 2022.
• Mobile voice-search is three times more likely to be local-based as compared to text search.

It’s clear for now, the voice search is the new organic search that’s taken seriously by the search engines and the search marketers are gearing up for the voice-search revolution. Let’s now have a look at how the voice search with mobile technology is transforming the users’ lives:

Becoming a part of the daily routine

Just like mobile technology, the voice search also tends to be more mobile because they are integrated into the devices that are vital to users to perform everyday tasks. From adding notes and reminders to creating calendar events to making necessary changes in functions and settings of the phones, the voice-driven assistants works stunningly.

Also, the research has proven that voice interaction involves low levels of brain activity than the touch equivalent, which implies the voice interactions are less taxing and letting users spend the energy elsewhere.

For instance, while driving, you need to jot down something in a jiff, simply fire up the assistant and tell them to note to self in an Evernote app, or set the reminder for general locations such as, “Remind me for the muffins when I reached McDonald’s,” and the digital assistant will remind you for the same when you reach McDonald’s. Furthermore, you can tell the assistant to open the app and search the presentation in the Google drive, adjust the volume up or down when business-related audio is turned on, or perform toggle-like settings on the device as you desire without needing to manually swipe and search through the phone.

In this manner, the virtual companion has made the lives of people easier everywhere, be it at home, work, vacation, or on-the-way by getting things done with less friction.

Communicate on the user’s behalf

Over the years, we have learned to express ourselves in a few words on the search engines to search or help with a wide range of things. But, the voice search works beyond that. Based on the natural language processing the voice interface provides precise results in a couple of seconds, no matter how long the query you have spoken is; the assistant responds by understanding the context and the intent of the phrase. Analyzing all the data signals, the smart recommendations are offered that connects the people and grow their intimacy with the voice-driven apps.

Related: Learn how mobile apps are modernizing the restaurant space.  

For instance, you live in Seattle, but traveling to Munich and when you ask the assistant for the directions to Munich hotel, the assistant automatically understands you and provides you with the restaurant options in the location, and it recommends the restaurants by learning your eating habits and the current location. When you tell them to book a table, they instantly communicate with the restaurant and confirm the booking.

Taking a step further, when you receive a mail or text message, the assistant will help you quickly catch up by informing about it. When you ask your assistant to read it, it will read it for you and in case, you want to reply, you just need to speak the message with a send command, and the message is sent. Even, posting updates on LinkedIn or Facebook can be accomplished just by activating the assistant and speaking aloud.

Liberate the users from the screens

With no denying fact, voice technology has improved the interactions. With voice-search compatibility, there is no need to look down at a screen to get anything done. Everything is feasible just by talking into the air. The disappearance of tactical interfaces foreshadows a future where consumers are no longer required to carry a wallet in their pocket. Keeping a mobile is sufficient.

Now, the voice is a secure biometric identifier that allows the users to pay for the items through their voice when the voice print kept on the file matches. The payment over voice is anticipated to end up the one-click payment because the users can search, browse and purchase from the same interface. The voice-activation in mobile apps has become a game-changer for the brands, marketers, and retailers.

For instance, without getting off the couch, you can ask the assistant to book an appointment at the saloon and the assistant will efficiently check with the availability of your preferred time slot and then make the payment after confirming the date and time with you. Also, it automatically searches for discount or coupon codes and applies them before making the payment.

Shopping over voice- a new trend!

The online shopping has given the people the comfort of buying at their fingertips, and now the effort of even lifting the finger up to purchase the product is about to end. It sounds miraculous to the shoppers who have not heard about voice-activated virtual assistants. Yes, it’s increasingly becoming a common phenomenon in the age of customers’ choice. The one in the four shoppers has already started using voice assistants on mobile to shop.

Voice shopping use cases have evolved more than conducting a purchase transaction. The most popular case involves the product search that spurs the death of search box because people can easily find out what they are looking for. Going ahead, the shoppers can manage the shopping list, make purchases, reorder the items and connect with the customer support over the voice.

The voice commerce is growing not just among Millennials, while it’s gaining traction across all age groups with the widespread adoption of the mobile devices and support to voice interface by the shopping apps. This is why the retailers are gearing up to invest in various voice use cases, that’s beyond just search and enjoy great benefits.

It means it’s not too far when Sci-Fi movies turn into a reality, digital commerce takes the form of voice commerce and the people will be shopping just with their voice.

Related: Top ways Artificial Intelligence is taking e-commerce industry by storm

Make the lives of elder and people with special needs easier

The voice assistants in mobile devices make us feel more like a Tony Stark, but for the people with impaired sights, mobility, or even hands, the technology works wonders. It has taken amazing leaps forward for individuals with disabilities from making a call and texting to the caretaker to ordering the groceries. The virtual assistants have become the most accessible interface for the masses.

The virtual interface is a welcome addition to the disabled community as they are benefiting very much from the escalating efforts done in the direction of voice assistant enhancements. It’s saving the valuable time, making things easily accessible, becoming a panacea during emergencies, and no more battling with screen readers is required. The key technology is making people with disabilities or elders more independent, reducing the caregivers’ workload, and letting the closed ones live with peace of mind.

For instance, during an emergency, the people with disability cannot pick up a phone and dial 911, that’s where voice assistant comes to the rescue. Just speaking a simple phrase to summon the help, the call gets automatically placed and the needy person can communicate to avail timely help. Also, if required they can look up for the doctor and even order the medical supplies online. The people with memory loss problem can get reminders for the medication intake and scheduled activities.

In addition to health concerns, the assistant can also prove to be a vital source to be entertained where the digital assistant will play the music, read the news or run the TV shows at the scheduled time.

Takeaway

The voice search is a long live revolution where the brands are left with just two options- Adapt or wade off. The growing craze of the people for hands-free and eyes-free search is compelling the brands to integrate a voice-supported search to the mobile apps because the technology is certain to bring about a huge number of users and the brands creating the vision for voice search can get the advantage of the ubiquitous trend. From performing routine tasks and conversation to voice commerce, the voice-enabled assistant is playing a role like- Samantha in the movie Her,  in the users’ lives. That’s what the users are actually expecting.

The changing consumers’ preferences and the plethora of benefits hinting at the digital butler integration, which will soon turn from novelty piece to a must-have. Not adding voice to your brand will make your business out-of-date, so stay with the beat of the voice trend and get ahead of the competition.

Pragnesh Modh

With a deep interest in new technologies, analyzing mobile application trends and impressive technical concoctions keep him inquisitive. In addition to managing the Operations and Delivery of projects at Prismetric, he likes to read and write a lot about the latest in technology. New app technologies, gadget fascinations, and big technology announcements kindle the writer in him spontaneously. His articles are his passion for innovative technologies.