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Not while I am driving and then by using my phone obviously. Lots of these tasks are completely automatic (e.g. locking doors, announcements, turn things off w

Not while I am driving and then by using my phone obviously. Lots of these tasks are completely automatic (e.g. locking doors, announcements, turn things off when I am gone, motion sensors....) or simple inputs, e.g. volume buttons or a slider for oven temp. > The little speakers can be put into every room, almost invisible, and for a fraction of the cost of a smart display. My phone is in my pocket and thus in every room I am in. So let me rephrase the question: If I use my phone, for which things is voice input so much better than just clicking on widgets? Thus far I think hands-free while cooking and the UX for music/video are the standard examples. The question above was: Besides this, what are great use cases?

wkearney99 5y ago
Voice needs no physical mode-switching. Ask and receive regardless of whether you've got your hands full doing something else, or looking at something else, or don't have your phone super-glued to your person. There's also no tangential distraction when looking up information. If I'm going to travel I can ask for the forecast (daily or weekly) at places along the way without getting bogged down with unrelated web browsing or advertising.
vineyardmike 5y ago
> My phone is in my pocket and thus in every room I am in. Not everyone does this. Eg. My parents use Alexa but keep their cell phone by the door or on their nightstand. > So let me rephrase the question: If I use my phone, for which things is voice input so much better than just clicking on widgets? You already answered one: Cooking, etc. But also some people have other household members. The communal nature of the device matches the communal nature of a household. If I hear an announcement saying to put laundry in drier, I can act on it even if I didn't start laundry. Or if there's an timer to take something out of oven, I can act even if the cook is in the bathroom.

wkearney99 5y ago

Voice needs no physical mode-switching. Ask and receive regardless of whether you've got your hands full doing something else, or looking at something else, or don't have your phone super-glued to your person. There's also no tangential distraction when looking up information. If I'm going to travel I can ask for the forecast (daily or weekly) at places along the way without getting bogged down with unrelated web browsing or advertising.

vineyardmike 5y ago

> My phone is in my pocket and thus in every room I am in. Not everyone does this. Eg. My parents use Alexa but keep their cell phone by the door or on their nightstand. > So let me rephrase the question: If I use my phone, for which things is voice input so much better than just clicking on widgets? You already answered one: Cooking, etc. But also some people have other household members. The communal nature of the device matches the communal nature of a household. If I hear an announcement saying to put laundry in drier, I can act on it even if I didn't start laundry. Or if there's an timer to take something out of oven, I can act even if the cook is in the bathroom.