Contact us anytime to know more — Kuldeep K., Founder & CEO CISIN
The use of voice assistants is only increasing. Voice assistants, such as Alexa, Siri, Cortana, and others, are now a part of our daily lives.
Voice commands allow us to use the various features of our smartphones without relying on their touchscreens. Voice recognition apps make it easy to control a device.
As people increasingly use voice assistants instead of typing in search terms, we will be surrounded by apps that are enabled with voices.
It is, therefore, an excellent idea to develop an intelligent voice assistant which will help you gain a competitive advantage and further your business goals. You will need mobile app development experts to build an app.
But first, you should learn more about the new age apps.
The Voice Assistant: A Short Explanation
Apps like this listen to and respond to voice commands. The app then provides accurate results for the user's search request or query.
Modern applications allow people to perform multiple tasks using voice commands. This includes playing music, ordering products, emailing, calling someone, and more.
Why are apps like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa so popular? This is due to the rise of voice-activated technology.
Statista predicts that there will be 8.4 billion voice assistants in 2024. This shows how important this technology is and the bright future it has.
Four Things You Should Consider When Developing A Voice Assistant App
Select The Best Technology
You can be sure that the experts you hire to implement voice recognition in your app will use top-notch technology.
You still cannot take anything lightly. Before you begin the app development:
- List all of the features your app will have.
- Do some research to find a platform that is advanced for application development.
- Ensure the developer you hire considers all these factors when creating your app.
Consider The Perspective Of Your End-Users
Voice assistants such as Siri, Alexa, and others are popular because they can instantly solve problems. For a mobile app to be successful, you should always consider the user's point of view and think from their perspective.
Find out what your users want and develop an app accordingly. What kind of apps would you users like? What will make the app stand out from others? What is it that will make users want to download the app? They are vital and can significantly impact the outcome of an application development project.
Choose the Best Features for Your App
There are already many voice-assistant applications available. Your app must be original to stand out. Design it in the best way possible and include the most essential features.
Users will surely love and embrace a rich-featured-voice-enabled application.
Offering a Personalized App Experience
Personalization is a critical factor in attracting consumers to a voice-recognition app for mobile. The developer you hire must create an app that boosts personalized experience and gives users the best possible satisfaction.
When you hire a reputable service provider, they will create apps considering all these aspects.
How Do You Create A Well-Functioning Voice Assistant App?
A company developing smartphone apps must follow a specific process for a voice-enabled mobile app to be top-notch.
The key is to ensure a high-quality interaction between users and machines. Check out the general overview and steps involved in the typical process to help you better understand the situation.
How to Create a Successful Voice Assistant App
First, there should be an established goal and audience. Defining and communicating your unique aspects and offerings is essential in the first stage.
Understanding the user's point of view and their needs is critical. Your app should prioritize the user's preferences and automate routine tasks.
You also need to take into account several important factors. This includes your voice, tone, the duration of the pauses, and so on.
It would help if you aimed to offer something extra or different that rival companies do not. You will gain a competitive advantage. Users will return to a tempting app.
Establish A Specific Development Method
Two methods can be used to develop a high-quality voice assistant application.
The junior method is one of them.
It simplifies the otherwise complex development process. This involves integrating voice recognition with an existing mobile application.
On the other hand, the senior method involves creating a mobile app with voice recognition enabled. This method allows you to customize and use your ideas.
You will need to hire an experienced and professional mobile app developer.
Include all of the Essential Technologies and Features
Different apps use different technologies. Google Assistant and Siri, for example, use Natural Language Processing and Speech Recognition technologies to understand and process languages.
Amazon Alexa, for example, uses IoT to interact with intelligent devices such as smart TVs, bright doors, and brilliant lights.
A whole host of technologies can be helpful when developing a voice-enabled assistant. For example, speech-to-text (STT) transforms speed signals into digital data.
Text-to-speech (TTS) converts text into spoken human voices.
There are also features like voice biometrics, which can be used to understand the user's voice and reduce background noise.
Before the development process starts, discuss these technologies with your hired team.
Applicant Creates the Application
It is essential to use the correct technology when building the prototype. Prototyping for voice search begins on drawing boards.
First, voice UX flow is used to determine user interaction. This involves two stages - error handling and creating.
Storyboards are a vital tool in the creation process. It is easy to create a storyboard and sketch out the dialogue.
The storyboard will help you visualize how your project's interaction and flow will work.
Dialogs are essential for a compelling voice interface. Dialogs need to take into account that human conversation is usually layered.
Designers must use precise questions and answers and minimize the necessary steps to complete the task.
Want More Information About Our Services? Talk to Our Consultants!
Error Handling
Designers and developers know that even if they make an excellent interface for voice, things can still go wrong.
The design challenge is to account for these risks. You can use context and customization to improve the user experience. Other ways are available. There are other ways too.
Tests
Tests help determine whether the app will be suitable for your target audience. This can be done in two different ways.
You can do this, for example, by conducting usability tests on a specific target audience. It allows you to see how your users use the app. Second, you can use test simulators to get results that are equally relevant and useful for your purposes.
Fine Tuning
Before launching their voice-assistant apps, developers of mobile applications must finalize the app. The designers must track behavior flow, intent, and user engagement metrics.
You now know quite a bit about voice recognition technology. One last thing to do is contact an experienced mobile app developer.
They will create a voice assistant that is top-notch for your company.
Voice-enabled Solutions Enhance the Customer Experience
The digital voice assistant industry is expected to grow in the next few years. The number of voice assistants will increase from 3,25 billion to 8 billion.
Virtual assistants that can be activated by voice have revolutionized how people interact with digital devices. Users can use them to order food, manage calendars, listen to music, find out the weather, access apps, or check their status.
Voice search is popular among mobile phone users worldwide for several reasons.
Businesses, regardless of their industry, are investing heavily in voice-enabled technologies. In the past, many industries have benefited from this technology, including healthcare, retailing, automotive, and customer service.
We will discuss how voice technology can disrupt businesses and take customer service to the next step.
Voice-Enabled Solutions for Digital Commerce
The average mobile phone user spends between 3 and 4 hours daily on the device. Businesses must design strategies to enhance the mobile experience for digital users, as they spend most of their time using it.
The voice-enabled solution for business may be an Alexa Skill developed for intelligent speakers like Google Home, Amazon Echo, or Siri, as well as integration with mobile apps.
Natural Language Processing is the core technology that is used in this case. It allows devices to comprehend human speech, understand the context, and provide answers/solutions.
Google revealed in a report that voice-activated speaker owners believe that speaking to their virtual assistant helps them accomplish tasks quickly and efficiently rather than typing them out themselves.
This means that customers can multitask more.
Some creative brands can use voice technology to improve customer service and increase conversion rates.
GoodNes - Hands-Free Cooking Assistant
Nestle is the largest company in food and beverages. They have an Alexa Skill named "GoodNess." This skill comes with a visual guide that connects directly to customers' web browsers on their tablet or computer to provide visual voice browsing.
Alexa can be used to find recipes, and the consumer will receive both voice and visual results. In their web browser, consumers can see the steps of a recipe, nutrition information, ingredient lists, and videos on cooking.
Alexa can be asked to send a list of shopping items and play background music.
Dominos: Voice Ordering System
Domino's global pizza chain has launched an Alexa Skill that allows customers to place pizza orders. It is an AI-powered Alexa skill that allows users to track orders, place new orders, or repeat their favorite orders.
Marriott Hotels: Simplifying Hospitality
Marriott Hotels has integrated Alexa with Amazon Echo devices at Aloft Hotels. The guests can now turn on/off the lights, adjust the room temperature and close drapes.
Voice-enabled Assistants help hotels improve services by enhancing the experience of their guests.
Five Technologies to Build the Next Generation of Voice Apps
Not so long ago, the future of voice-based applications seemed uncertain.
Why talk when you can text? Calling a call center is not necessary when you have a mobile application. The voice may have been dwindling for some time but is now returning thanks to a new breed of devices and applications enabled by using voices.
Voice is the most natural user interface in the smart speakers and voice assistants age. This is a natural and convenient way to interact with devices. We're talking more than asking Alexa or Siri to read the weather.
Voice-activated technology will change how we shop, learn, care for elders, access digital services and information, search, and more.
Some of these voice technologies have been around for decades. Some of these technologies have existed for many decades.
Each technology benefits from improved hardware, computer power, and neural networks, which enable more sophisticated algorithms. Below, we go into detail about each technology.
Automated Speech Recognition
ASR allows computers to interact with humans by translating speech into text in real-time. ASR allows customers in contact centers to perform simple self-service actions like checking their bank balance using voice commands.
Many ASR systems use Natural Language Understanding (NLU) to understand what's being said. This allows for more human-like conversation. Many have used "ask anything" systems, such as the ASR voice command technology.
The deployment of technology at the edge is made more accessible by machine learning models. Voice-enabled products include various devices, from appliances to robotics and home security.
We can't forget the ASR capabilities that will be added to VR and mobile games to make them more intuitive and immersive.
Read more: Mobile App Development: What to Expect in 2023 and Beyond?
Voice Biometrics
The science behind voice biometrics uses a person's voice to authenticate their identity. This can be done for two reasons: 1) to ensure security by verifying that they are indeed who they say they are, and 2) to instantly personalize an interaction according to the speaker's interests, preferences, and purchase histories.
Voice biometrics, like fingerprints, are unique and primarily based on the vocal tract physiology of a person. Until recently, voice biometrics was used to improve authentication for contact centers over telephone channels and, more recently, mobile applications login.
The development of faster and more accurate voice biometric algorithms has been made possible by advances in neural network technology.
These algorithms can also authenticate users using a shorter amount of speech. ID R&D's voice biometrics technology, for example, has a footprint small enough to work efficiently on low-power connected hardware, including AI chips.
Voice biometrics can now be used in IoT products that offer enhanced security and customization. You will soon be able to use your voice to interact with appliances to order a new part, turn off a home security system, or make purchases using your TV.
Embedded Wake Words
The wake word can be a phrase or word that is spoken to activate a smart gadget. A wake word is similar to saying someone's name to grab their attention.
It alerts the voice-enabled devices to be on guard for commands and listening. The most common wake words come from voice assistants such as Alexa and Siri. Still, they will continue to be used in other areas, including automobiles, intelligent homes, hospitality, retailing, etc.
Having an internet connection or even third-party services is unnecessary to create a customized embedded wake word.
Text-to-Speech (TTS)
Text to Speech (TTS) is a text-to-speech technology. The technology is standard in mobile phones, laptops, and tablets.
TTS, or text-to-speech technology, is valid for adults and children with difficulty reading or learning new languages. It also helps the blind. This technology can help those with diseases that affect their speech continue to communicate using voice.
TTS can be used today to provide convenience and safety when driving by reading text messages or directions. As more users switch to screenless web browsing, the use of TTS in combination with ASR will increase.
Future applications may use TTS more with its realistic synthesized voices. This will allow users to listen to audiobooks in their author's voice or bring historical figures to life for students in the classroom.
Marketers could also use it to deliver brand-specific content efficiently.
Speaker Diarization
Diarization in multi-speaker recordings is the capability to identify a speaker and what they have said. Diarization allows audio recordings to be split into segments by speakers for use in call centers, closed captioning and legal proceedings.
It is also used when automating the generation of meeting minutes. With the increased remote work, identifying and transcribing speakers in web conferences is in demand.
Diarization uses voice biometrics for speaker identification and is language-independent.
Voice-enabled AI: 3 Strategies for The Future
By 2024, it is predicted that voice searches will account for close to 50% of online searches. This trend can be attributed to the widespread use of intelligent devices.
In addition to smart devices being available, AI and data modeling techniques are rapidly developing for detecting emotion and intent in speech. To infer human intent, neural network language models and techniques from experimental psychology and linguistics are combined.
1. Think Local
With governments making regulatory changes to support the "home-market-effect," there will be a higher concentration of innovations targeted to local consumers.
India is a good example. It has more than 100 different languages spoken by at least 10,000 people. This, coupled with the rural literacy rate at about 65 percent, suggests that voice-enabled technologies can be a powerful force to promote inclusion.
One such example is the recent creation of a voice-activated response system for COVID-19. In many solutions for the last mile, voice analytics will be a crucial component. Like other solutions, paying attention to local conditions is essential.
Voice AI developed by a Chinese company with voice AI technology as part of its AI program, is another local example. This voice AI system has been responsible for an average of 4,5 billion daily interactions. Yandex has Alice, a voice-activated AI assistant popular with 35 million Yandex users.
Yandex owns around 58 percent of the Russian search market.
2. Reinforce Privacy
Consumer trust in voice AI is fragile due to the opted-in usage case where consumers use IoT devices for personal space.
The news that employees can listen to the voice of Alexa users is not encouraging. Companies that are proactive in fostering trust, and implementing a Privacy by Design (PbD), to protect personally identifiable information in products, systems, and processes can gain a competitive edge.
As we mentioned in our previous point, the trend towards local solutions also indicates that consumer privacy laws, such as GDPR, may be fragmented. The GDPR may not be implemented in all countries. The disparity between laws may also allow businesses to gain consumer trust by directly marketing ideas such as "PbD Inside." This is similar to Intel's "Intel Inside," which transformed a secret internal chip into a trademark, resulting in billions added in sales for Intel.
Want More Information About Our Services? Talk to Our Consultants!
Conclusion
Integrating voice technologies into modern voice-enabled apps can be expensive and complex. Modern voice technologies include optimized and purpose-built IoT, mobile, and embedded systems products.
The CIS Voice Application Development Kit is a comprehensive collection of voice technologies embedded by multiple vendors, allowing developers to quickly access all the features they require.
Voice biometrics can enhance intelligent speakers, cameras, robots, cars, and other devices.
