The Rise of Smart Speakers: Why the Technology is Here to Stay

We’re taking a closer look at the rise of smart speakers and why so many people rely on these devices in their everyday lives.

Join us, as we delve into why smart speakers have seen a boost in popularity and why they’re here to stay.

A mini history of smart speakers

Technology is constantly advancing and with its evolution, people are realising how it can better complement their day-to-day lives. Although voice assistants were first introduced in the 1960s, when IBM released Shoebox, it’s more recently that they’ve progressed enough to become integral to the lives of many people around the world.

Voice and virtual assistants became accessible to consumers in the 1990s, with the launch of Dragon Dictate. It was shortly after that Microsoft ventured into the voice assistant space, releasing Clippy which wasn’t highly popular, but did guide the market somewhat.

The modern era of voice assistants began when we met Siri in 2010. Four years later, Amazon introduced Alexa and the smart speaker revolution came into realisation. The market saw a range of companies creating smart speakers to complete a variety of tasks, with integrations into existing technology that meant having a smart speaker became useful to the everyday person.

Being capable of doing everything from playing music to setting reminders and controlling home shading solutions, voice assistants became almost like a part of some families.

Why smart speakers have become essential

Devices like Google Nest have surged in popularity thanks to their smart integrations and ability to control other items around the house; your Google Assistant is able to do everything from turning off the lights to closing the blinds on motorised home solutions. Amazon Echo, powered by Amazon Alexa, can also cleverly connect with devices around your home for automatic operation.

Here’s why so many people have come to rely on the likes of Nest and Echo:

• Exceptional organisational capabilities - users can plan their day, set reminders and ask their virtual assistant to check their calendars for them. Owners never have to miss an appointment or forget about their to-do list again.
• Easy-to-use smart searching features - getting answers to just about anything is easy with the smart searching features of these devices. Users can make use of hands-free technology and simply ask a question or give a demand using their voice.
• Unparalleled convenience - streamlining your lifestyle and enjoying more comfort is easy with speakers like the Nest or Echo. When connected with other devices around the home, users can easily control aspects such as home temperature and lighting conditions for maximum comfort.

Contact your local Somfy Expert to find out more

Your local Somfy Expert can discuss how you can integrate smart functionality into your home. If you are interested in boosting the convenience of your everyday life with voice control, obtain a quote today.