Voice-Based Mobile Apps: The Next Big Thing?

Although not used actively, even Gen X knows about voice-based apps like Alexa, Siri, OK Google, Cortana, etc. At some point in time, everyone gave the order to Alexa to play their favourite song or asked Siri to turn off the bedroom. Why are they so convenient? Why do people prefer them?

Well, for starters, they keep people off of looking at screens every 15 seconds and also using their hands to do just about anything. And secondly, language integration allows anyone to ask or order anything without having to feel inferior. Hence, even mobile development experts have predicted Voice-based Apps to be the future.

What Are Voice-Based Mobile Apps?

Voice-based apps are no longer a novelty; it has become a mainstream technology. It uses voice apps and speech recognition to allow the users to interact with the devices and accomplish various tasks. It enables the users to perform tasks like setting the alarm, playing music, starting the coffee machine, talking about the weather, asking something that people generally ask Google by typing, etc.

And these are all just by ordering as one does in a restaurant or a shop. Its popularity is on the rise because of the proliferation of intelligent devices that are being controlled by voice–based apps. As a result of which, Mobile App Developers – Android and iOS are focusing on apps that have voice-controlled features installed in them by default.

Voice-recognized mobile apps are embedded with text–to–speech and vice–versa, where it interprets user commands and responds with the accurate result they seek. The capability of understanding the user command is why voice apps are becoming high – in – demand. Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri are the two most popular voice recognition apps. Then comes Google Assistant, and lastly, there is Cortana. There are many voice-based apps, but they are a little less popular than these two, and the biggest reason is language integration.

Cost to Create a Voice App Like Alexa

The cost of creating a voice-based app like Alexa could vary from company to company. If you want to know how much it will cost your brand to create an AI-powered voice-based app, then you must take into consideration the following factors:

１ Technologies used to develop the app include Automated Speech Recognition, Voice Biometrics, Text to Speech (TTS), Speaker Diarization, etc.

２ The platform on which the app will be built, like Android, iOS, or both.

３ Tools used to create the app, etc.

Even if you are planning to create a basic app, it might cost you around $30K to $35K.

Why Are They the Next Best Thing?

A lot has changed ever since mobile phones entered our lives, and they are no longer machines to receive and make calls and send text messages. One can control the house and office with such a small device. And voice-based apps play a small but crucial role in providing security, completing tasks, and everything at a definite pace.

Thus, here are a few benefits of voice-based apps:

⒈ Free The Hands:

No longer typing is needed to get the work done. You can vacuum the house and write an email at the same time. It can be used while cooking dinner and managing kids. Now, that’s what you called FEMINISM existing in the house.

⒉ Fast:

With the help of voice-based apps, the task can be finished faster, whether you have to make a call or check a critical task from the list. It cuts down clicks by hundreds, at least.

⒊ Simple:

Only people shying away from technology might have difficulty using voice-based apps. Even then, it is not impossible. Thus, voice-controlled apps can be used by anyone who can speak.

⒋ Cross Platform:

One can use voice control on any device – be it Android or iOS.

⒌ Multilingual:

Not only when it comes to typing, but people have started integrating multiple languages in voice-based apps, and the best example of it is Amazon’s Alexa. Hence all the new brands who aim to go global employ translation management services.

⒍ Less Screen Time:

Post-pandemic, the screen time of people has increased drastically. It has become a habit to jump from one app to another and keep scrolling for hours.

Everyone has experienced this at least once in life – picked up the phone to check the time and then spent two hours watching reels on Instagram, and at the end of that, you don’t actually know what the time is.

Instead, wouldn’t you get more work done if you simply asked Alexa or Siri what the time is? She tells you, and you go on about your work. It also protects your eyes.

⒎ It is Fun:

As opposed to texting and typing and writing, voice messages are fun. People enjoy sending voice notes to each other as to texts and emojis.

⒏ Translation Apps:

While travelling with luggage in both hands, one cannot type, or they’ll miss the next train. This is when voice-based apps save them and come to the rescue. They can simply ask for something, and it will be translated into any language they want.

⒐ Useful for differently–abled:

People who cannot typically do not have to depend on anyone to help them type. They can ask or order whatever they want and let the apps do all the work.

⒑ Education:

Children can study better if they ask more questions. And voice-based apps can make studying interactive and engaging, especially if they are learning music and languages.

The Final Word

Voice–based apps are the future, and it’s best for the company if it incorporates it on an urgent basis. People will not download apps that don’t allow them to give orders in their languages. The future is Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and they don’t like to drag themselves off the couch and turn on the TV or pick up the phone and order their favourite dress.

They are going to want to have the freedom to work and do multiple other tasks at the same time. Hence, voice-based mobile apps for them are the next best thing. All the brands creating products and services with keeping these two generations in mind; need to think about integrating voice-controlled features ASAP.