Know about the Benefits of Smart Speaker Apps

Although there are many smart speaker apps which make the lives of seniors easier, consumers have reaffirmed their actual use of smart speakers with three killer apps Ask a question, listen to music and check the weather. In addition, there are several other Apps which are popular with users today:

Set an Alarm
Set a Timer
Listen to the Radio

The above graph shows that a high percent of smart speaker users, use these apps on a daily and a monthly basis.

Seniors Wish List

As we know voice and smart speaker are only in their infancy, many new killer apps will emerge with time. Tech Enhanced Life working with their community of older adults explore the future of aging, and the intersection of aging and technology. Follow is a summary of the "wish-list" of what these Senior are looking for from their Voice Assistant/Smart Speaker devices:

Be an appealing, charming "companion"

Engages me in scintillating conversation; expand my mind and keep me company
Be someone I can talk to
Plays movies for me on demand
Reads books to me
Provides a daily health checkup
Be my friend

Keeps me engaged

Lets me remotely visit (video chat) my aunt
Provides an abstract of the day's news
Talks to me in the language of my choice

Reminds me such as

Does Medication reminders
Dispenses pills and medication in the correct amounts
Reminds me to take a drink so I stay hydrated
Reminds me of my appointments

Be my "virtual assistant"

Answers the phone, emails and texts
Sends texts I tell it to send
Makes phone calls for me
Controls my lights, locks, thermostat, smoke and burglar alarms

Monitor Safety and Wellness

Monitors my safety
Calls 911 if it notices problems or when asked.
Enables family and friends to monitor
Monitors health

Conclusion

As of writing of this article (early 2020), we believe that smart speakers with the help of some killer apps have crossed being a fad. We now believe that new killer apps will be developed, and uptake of smart speakers and voice applications will increase. We also believe that usefulness of these apps will increase and will increasingly help seniors with quality of life and ability to live healthily and independently.

Sirona.TV is Alexa for Seniors, is a voice companion, created for seniors, answers senior's questions, provides weather information and plays music. Check out sirona.tv at how sirona.tv works.

References

Amazon Echo and Alexa for the Elderly
Smart Speaker Owners Agree That Questions, Music, and Weather are Killer Apps.What Comes Next?
Voice Assistant Demographic Data
TV - Alexa like voice companion for Seniors.