It wasn’t going to be long before artificial intelligence ( AI ) enabled speaker systems or smart speakers were introduced and included in the universe of the Internet of Things, and we saw a boom in this market. It is estimated that by 2020, 50% of all web searches will be voice-enabled, and by 2021, there could be more smart speakers than humans on the planet.
Spoken interaction is one of the most natural and intuitive ways in which human beings communicate. So it was natural that interfaces used for communicating with computing systems would transition to voice commands too. Using speech recognition to decipher spoken commands, answer questions, and detect user requirements was the foundation for developing smart speakers, controlled with a voice interface. The smart speaker can in turn communicate with a variety of devices over WiFi and other digital interfaces and act as a bridge between the spoken word and all sorts of digital function.
Through our history there have been certain technologies that have changed the way society has functioned. The advent of the smartphone was one such shift, changing the very nature of human interaction and information availability. We believe voice activated systems and smart speakers are another such leap that have and will continue to usher in a new era of audio experience.
What’s the real advantage?
When it comes to choosing audio systems, the general trend typically goes one of two ways. The first category of people come from a school of thought that prioritizes quality above all else. This group will buy a sophisticated system that might even take 5 minutes to turn on, if it ensures the best audio performance within their required budget. The second group opts for convenience and ease of use and are seen to choose a system that just works, with minimal fuss. The world of smart speakers is a boon for this latter category as it means not having to store media, no system assembly, taking things out of boxes – a smart speaker provides a simple plug, and “say play” solution.
The three major players in the current universe of voice activated systems are Google Voice Assistant (GVA), Amazon Alexa, and Apple Siri. A few differences between them: Apple only licenses Siri on its own devices, while GVA and Alexa are open to other manufacturers creating speakers that employ their voice activated systems. In addition, Google and Amazon also make their own speakers.
The primary convenience offered by smart speakers is the ability to get it to play anything you want – songs, podcasts, music, and practically any audio content – on hearing a spoken word. Smart speakers are WiFi enabled and connected to the Internet. Cloud-based streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube music are accessible, all of which act as great libraries and archives of audio content.. Streaming services not only offer seamless and unlimited access, but also make cataloguing and selection easier. This is through sorting systems that work by artist, genre, mood, purpose, etc., and also through pre-set playlists that are created algorithmically. These services all provide the option to create your own playlists as well.
Convenience over quality? Quality over convenience?
One supposes the real question then is whether it is possible to have the convenience of voice activation without compromised quality. The short answer is yes. Some specialist audio brands such Klipsch, whose entire ethos and focus is to provide superior quality audio experiences, are partnering with Google to add Google Voice Assistant to their own high quality speakers to provide a solution that is a combination of a smart speaker with the promise of superior audio quality.
On the other hand, it is also possible to buy a more economical smart speaker that fits a conservative budget, like the Amazon Echo Dot and then hook it up that to your HiFi system. However, it’s imperative that you then use a high resolution streaming service such as Tidal via the smart speaker, as this provides uncompressed music as well.
One added convenience that smart speakers undeniably provide is the ease with which multi-room audio can be set up. With some configuration via an app, it is quite simple to enjoy multi-room audio across an entire space such as a home or office. At Cinebels, we’re well equipped with the right information and knowledge, as well as an in depth understanding of audio systems to provide the right advice. From which smart speakers to choose, to what set-up is best for your use, as well as which streaming services to sign up for, and how to configure it all for the best possible combination of convenience and quality at home – we’re the right people to talk to. So walk in, pick our brains and allow us to provide a suite of solutions that cater to your specific needs.
