If it feels like Alexa, Google, Siri and Cortana are in a battle, it’s because they are. Each one wants to be the dominant voice-activated assistant that you use, because there is a good chance that whichever winds up being the largest platform will beat out the others.
Why do you need a voice-activated assistant?
Because voice-activated assistants are the next evolution of the keyboard and mouse, and as churches become more fluent in the technology, you will need to be fluent as well.
Here is what you need to know:
Alexa
Alexa is the assistant by Amazon that can be found on the Echo, Echo Dot, the Fire TV Stick and Echo Show. The Echo Dot was the best-selling product on Amazon.com from any manufacturer in any category in 2017, with millions sold across the holiday season breaking the 20 million mark of Alexa-enabled devices in use. Most of the promotion focused on what Alexa can do for people in their homes, but Amazon just launched a pay-as-you-go service for businesses taking Alexa from personal use to business use.
So, what does this mean for designers? Alexa can already help you manage your schedule, update your to-do list, and purchase supplies, but now you can use Alexa as audio conferencing device in small conference rooms with the “drop in” skill or to control equipment in larger rooms. You can build your own Alexa Skills to prompt Alexa to find an open meeting room or notify IT of an equipment issue.
To make Alexa even more useful in talking to apps and devices, you can connect her to a “middle man” such as the Samsung SmartThings Hub, or you can use IFTTT (short for If This Then That) to create chain reactions that connect Alexa to tons of other items that don't yet have pre-programed Alexa integrations. The best part is that you don’t have to be a programmer to do this. These “middle men” have user-interfaces designed to lead you through the process.
OK Google
Google’s voice-activated assistant, launched by the command “OK Google” is available on Android devices and Google Home. While Alexa leads in purchasing and interfacing with devices, Google is by far the front runner in terms of answering useful questions. If you want to know a stock price, the definition of a word, today’s cost of an airline ticket, or need the name of “that architect” that designed “that famous building”, Google has you covered. The integration with Google calendar and Gmail is elegant.
Google Home also integrates with SmartHub and can be extended by IFTTT. And like Alexa easily connects with music services like Spotify and Pandora.
Siri
Apple’s voice-activated assistant, Siri, was first-to-market and is available on the iPhone as well as the upcoming Apple HomePod which is scheduled to be released later this year. Users of Apple devices have the option to enable the voice command “Hey Siri” in settings to be able to access via voice alone.
Siri’s highest function is as an assistant. She can create reminders, take notes and schedule appointments—even to the point of contacting the person you are meeting with then giving directions to the place where you are meeting. She can call people and is very useful at voice-to-text. (Note that this function works best if you’ve set Siri to speak the same accent you speak. This adjustment can be made in settings.) Siri will also define words, do math equations, and can tell you how many days have elapsed between two dates, what date next Monday will be and what day and date a holiday—such as Easter—falls on.
Cortana
Cortana is the voice-activated assistant on Microsoft products and has comparable functionality to Siri. However, Amazon and Microsoft announced plans to integrate Alexa and Cortana last year to create cross-platform use which could radically change the voice-activated assistant landscape.
This sounds great, but what about security?
Any device connected to the internet is vulnerable to hacking.
Symantec recommends that people not connect door locks or alarm systems to voice-activated systems. Another sensitive use is banking. Capital One Bank will let you ask your voice-activated assistant to make bill payments, check your account balance, and track your spending. Other financial services are sure to follow, but it will take time to ascertain how safe the process is.
Voice purchasing is enabled by default when Alexa is installed, but you can adjust your settings to require a voice code.
What’s the most beneficial reason for church designers to use the voice-activated assistants?
The most important reason to engage in the technology is a matter of scale. Voice-activated assistants are about to be everywhere. Panasonic’s automotive division is working on in-car Alexa systems and In-Vehicle Infotainment has Google Assistant capability.
With millions of devices in homes everywhere and now coming to businesses, they are becoming ubiquitous. It makes sense to have experience with the platform so your client perceives you are as knowledgeable as they are.
Resources
Find more information here: https://www.fastcompany.com/40512062/eight-trends-that-will-define-the-digital-assistant-wars-in-2018
