Get Me On Cloud

What is a Virtual Assistant?

Are they going to be controlling all aspects of your life?

by Jonathan Richards on 26th February 2018

According to wikipedia:

Google Assistant is an intelligent personal assistant developed by Google and announced at Google I/O in May 2016. Unlike Google Now, Google Assistant can engage in two-way conversations. Assistant initially debuted as part of Google’s messaging app Allo, and its voice-activated speaker Google Home.

Amazon Echo is a wireless speaker and voice command device from Amazon.com. The device consists of a 9.25-inch (23.5 cm) tall cylinder speaker with a seven-piece microphone array. The device responds to the name “Alexa”; this “wake word” can be changed by the user (to one other choice at present: “Amazon”).

HomePod is a smart speaker developed by Apple Inc. It was announced on June 5, 2017, at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference. The HomePod was originally scheduled for release in December 2017, but was later delayed to early 2018.

So what is the difference?

Some might say there are huge differences, but ultimately they are all trying to accomplish the same thing, Assisting the end user in all aspects of life. There are currently limitations on what each device can do, but this is constantly changing, with companies adding more and more functionality by the day.

Imagine being able to use your devices to book a holiday, submit energy meter readings, view your bank balance. All of this is currently possible with the technology in its current format, with future updates guaranteed to allow further improvement.

The big question:

What can these devices currently do?

As I mentioned, they are currently limited by what’s been programmed.

Siri took the lead in the Virtual Assistant race when it first appeared on iOS in 2010, and has seen many changes since its inception. Amazon started developing their solution, Echo in 2010, with the first incarnation being made widely available in the US in June 2015. Google were a little later to the party, with their offering, the Google Assistant, this was first available on the messaging app Allo in May 2016, however, they never released their wider app in February 2017. Google’s app has since gained in popularity, with it being deployed in a large number of hardware devices including speakers to smart cars.

Amazon have been concentrating on the home user and released a number of different devices for use with their assistant, including the Echo range of speakers and screens. Google were next to follow with their Google Home device, followed by the Home mini, this device sold over 7.5 million units in the 3 months since its release in October 2017. Apple were a little later with their Homepod, which is a bigger device aimed at high end users, maybe they’ll release a smaller version to compete with Echo Dot and Home Mini!

To see a list of what each device can currently do, click a link below:

Amazon Echo – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06Y5ZW72J?tag=mh0a9-21&hvadid=80745400337945&hvqmt=p&hvbmt=bb&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_lbc2q4gbz_b

Google Home – https://store.google.com/product/google_home 

Apple HomePod – https://www.apple.com/homepod/

What can we offer you?

We can program a large number of different scenarios for different situations, across Google, Amazon and Apple devices, Including Assistant Services.

What you will notice is the potential for reduced cost and maintenance on all our services, due to the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence and cloud services, together with a 12 month warranty on all work we carry out. 

Supermarkets:

  1. Home Delivery ordering and tracking for the end user
  2. Headsets for use in store for stock checking etc
  3. Artificial Interface for automatic stock ordering

Travel Companies:

  1. View current bookings
  2. View balance outstanding
  3. Create new bookings
  4. Make payments
  5. Enquire about availability
  6. Current offers
  7. Prices
  8. Nearest available resort

Energy Suppliers:

  1. Submit meter readings
  2. Current balance
  3. Current plan
  4. Unit change
  5. Available plans
  6. When your plan expires
Email for more info

GetMeOnCloud.co.uk.

Reading, UK