Page 1 of 1

Challenge: The Microphone

Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 4:50 am
by Arzina699
Voice is more intuitive
Phase four consisted of testing again. This time also with the fan base of BinnensteBuiten, in different age groups. Although millennials are the early adopters, it turned out during the tests that older people worked more easily with voice than with a screen. “Voice is much more intuitive, it is the most natural way to communicate with an app. You talk just like you talk to people.”

Live with the first version
Phase five began when the Google Assistant became available to many Dutch people. “We are now live with a first version.” You get guidance while cooking, you can ask about the previous step, the next step or a repeat of the step. Sometimes you have to make choices based on questions that Sharon asks you, but otherwise it is very goal-oriented. For example, you cannot ask for additional explanation, think: what is the best way to cut an onion?”

But while the team is busy developing, the action is not really all that basic. “Because we added artificial intelligence and trained the bot, it also understands context and is already quite smart. So you don't have to say 'What's the next step?', but 'Do you have the next one for me?' will also do.”

chef inside out close 2

With most informative actions, you as a user give a quick answer. If Buienradar asks you which city you want to hear the weather report for, you don't have to think about it for long. With a cooking action, it's different. You'll quickly spend a few minutes on a step. But the microphone closes after a few seconds. That means that you can't just talk when you're done with the current step, but that you first have to say 'Okay Google' again before you can continue talking to Sharon. Such an extra step can be a barrier. "We have Sharon explain very clearly that the user sometimes has to wake her up again."

The knowledge that the (multidisciplinary) team italy telegram data has acquired is used for new services. The department is currently developing an interactive children's story, where children can influence the course of the story. In addition, a service is being developed for Eva Jinek's talk show. Articles from the site are read out by a mix of Eva's voice and that of the Google Assistant.

Image

Critical comments on a great future
Holland sees a great future for voice. “This will be the place where people consume content, where the audience goes.” But she also has some critical comments. Because how do you get found? “How do you get your target group in? People don’t have to download an app from you, they have to call you. And once you have them: how do you keep them in? You can’t send pop-ups or push messages. And you can’t use visual aspects to direct people, like on websites.”

And also an important one: what if commercial interests come into play? “Can your competitor get a preferential position, just like in Google search results?”

What are your thoughts on voice and the challenges developers face? I’m curious to hear your ideas, I’d love to see them in the comments.