Designing Voice User Interfaces

Chapter 8. Voice-Enabled Devices and Cars

THIS CHAPTER DISCUSSES REAL-WORLD examples of VUIs outside of the mobile app world. This includes devices such as home assistants like the Amazon Echo, and smartwatches. It also includes voice systems in the car. Some examples are of real-world, existing technology, whereas others are for things on the near horizon.

It’s the beginning of the evolution of these devices, and the landscape will be changing rapidly, but this is an introduction of what is to come. I owe a great deal of thanks to other experts in these areas who contributed to this chapter.

Devices

There are a variety of voice-enabled devices in the market today. Home assistants such as the Amazon Echo and Google Home allow you to control the lights, set timers, listen to music, and perform many other tasks. Watches and other wearables help you track your fitness and leave your phone in your purse or pocket. Some televisions also provide voice-assisted remote controls.

Home Assistants

One of the most common voice-enabled devices are the home assistants. Amazon Echo is currently leading the market, and Google Home was just released. Other devices are on the horizon, such as Athom’s Homey, Mycroft, Ivee, and Jibo.

The Amazon Echo is a black cylinder, about nine inches tall, with a light ring at the top edge (Figure 8-1). Its primary interface is via voice with Amazon’s Alexa Voice Service, but it has a companion mobile app for setting up your account, adding “Skills” (features), and showing ...