Voice assistants are simply smart devices that are listening for a keyword or phrase to activate the device’s connection to the internet of things (IoT). In other words when activated, the cloud hosted artificial intelligence responds to your request much like a chatbot.
This enables you to query the device for information from the web or from connected devices on your smart home network. You can even ask Alexa to start your car while you’re getting dressed.
With all of that being said, and getting over the fact that it is always listening (CREEPY), Why Use A Voice Assistant?
Best Reasons to Use A Voice Assistant
- Convenience
- Health & Safety
- Great Smart Home Control Platform
- Entertainment (Fun)
Let’s take a closer look at the different benefits for each of the reasons listed above.
Convenience
This may be the most desirable reason to use a voice assistant. Like magic, you can request information from the web, turn on or off lights, adjust your thermostat, remote start your car, and even make voice or video calls.
This is all done hands free of course hence, Voice Assistant. The hands free aspect of not having to open or login to an app makes it very convenient. Multitasking becomes a breeze!
Think about all of the possibilities of tasks that your Voice Assistant can perform with your Smart Home Devices while you are doing other things like getting ready for work, cooking dinner, or relaxing. See examples below.
Tasks to Ask Your Voice Assistant
- Turn on the lights
- Start the Car
- Adjust the Thermostat
- Set a Reminder
- Set a Timer
- Add an item to your Grocery List
- Have your Robotic Vacuum to Start Cleaning
- Send a Message to Someone
Health & Safety
You may not think about health and safety when you think about an Amazon Alexa or Google Home Hub, but in this new pandemic era of Covid-19, being able to remotely control devices without physical touch is more sanitary.
Think about people not having to touch light switches or other common items that can be controlled by your voice assistant. The spread of germs and viruses may be limited.
Also the ability to social distance either in separate rooms or across the country is more manageable with the ability to connect and communicate through Alexa or Google devices.
You can have hands free conversations, or video chats and not feel so isolated. You can even have a watch party for the latest movie.
If you have elderly family members or those who may be handicapped, the Voice Assistants can literally be life saving. Someone with mobility challenges can control many things in their home with just their voice increasing their safety and quality of life.
They can control lights, fans, thermostats, door locks, entertainment such as music, news, and movies. If they need help, they can ask Alexa or whichever voice assistant they use to call someone.
Family members can also drop in through the device to check on their family members for a safety and wellness check. Amazon has a service through their Echo line of devices called Alexa Together.
Alexa Together allows family members and caregivers to have peace of mind knowing their loved ones are not alone. Some of the features of this service are listed below.
- Customized Alerts
- 24/7 Urgent Response
- Activity Feeds
- Circle of Support
- Remote Assistance
- Fall Detection
Great Smart Home Control Platform
So why are voice assistants a great way to control your smart home? The answer is simple, hands free and one platform to control everything. One app to interact with when not using voice commands.
You most likely when automating your home will over time purchase many devices from different brands such as, LIFX, WEMO, WYZE, BLINK, RING, NEST, just to name a few.
Each of these companies have their own app for your smartphone to control their devices. You will need to set them up using their app, but once installed and connected, you can easily integrate all of your devices to your Voice Assistant Control Platform such as an Amazon Echo or a Google Home.
Once you allow permissions for your devices to be controlled through the one platform, you no longer have to open and use all of the other apps. You can control them all through Alexa or Google.
If you set up routines and triggers, and use voice commands, you will rarely open the app to control any device because they will be automated or on a schedule. However, there may be a time when you are not at home and want to check in on something from the app.
Entertainment (Fun)
Voice assistants such as an Amazon Echo are a great way to entertain. I’m sure everyone has seen or heard the funny jokes and responses Alexa has to questions asked. There are videos all over the web showing Alexa’s witty responses.
There are many games available also such as trivia questions where everyone can play along. Music streaming is another great entertainment feature. Once you connect your favorite music streaming services to the device, you are the DJ at your own parties.
You can have your favorite playlists play as you dance the night away!
