AI Assistants
Each AI-powered virtual assistant has unique strengths, making the choice dependent on your device ecosystem and personal needs
How it Works
Most devices with virtual assistants allow users to activate the device using a "wake-word". Users say the designated wake word (like "Siri" or "Alexa") to alert an enabled device to an ensuing function command. The assistant listens for the command and performs the appropriate function, or skill, to answer a question or respond to a command. When questions are asked, the assistant converts sound waves into text which allows it to gather information from various sources. Behind the scenes, the vocal input data is natural language processed. Using NLP, assistants parse and tokenize the input and interpret the semantic meaning to understand the context and user intent. The next step is response generation where the assistant searches relevant databases, such as Wikipedia and AccuWeather, and generates suitable and accurate answers. Like AI chatbots, the assistant learns from previous interactions to improve future performance.
Siri from Apple
As an Apple product, Siri is rated the best for Apple ecosystem integration. Launched in 2024, Apple Intelligence is availble on devices that support the new features. Siri is judged as most accurate at understanding spoken commands. Siri is designed with privacy in mind and has on-device processing. Essentially limited to Apple products.
Key Features
- Voice Activation and Interaction: Activated by saying "Hey Siri" or simply "Siri" on newer versions. Siri can respond to both voice commands and typed requests.
- Personalized Assistance: Utilizes Apple Intelligence personalized with machine learning for enhanced contextual understanding. This allows Siri to provide more relevant responses based on user behavior and preferences. Siri can access personal information stored on the device, such as contacts, calendars, and messages, while maintaining user privacy through on-device processing.
- Task Management: Set reminders, alarms, and calendar scheduling events. Send messages, make calls, and read incoming texts. Provide navigation directions and traffic updates using Apple Maps.
- Smart Home Integration: Siri can control smart home devices compatible with HomeKit, such as lights and thermostats.
- Entertainment Control: Play music from Apple Music or other integrated services and control playback of videos and podcasts.
- Information Retrieval: Answer questions about general knowledge, weather forecasts, sports scores, and more. Perform web searches and provide summaries or relevant links.
- Third-Party App Integration: Through SiriKit, developers can enable their apps to work with Siri for specific tasks like messaging or ride-hailing.
- Recent Enhancements: With the introduction of Apple Intelligence, Siri can now handle more complex requests by leveraging larger server-based models while keeping user data private. The assistant has improved language understanding and can follow along even if users stumble over their words during commands.
Learn more. External links open in a new window.
pocket-lint.com/what-is-siri-how-apple-voice-assistant-works/
support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-apple-intelligence-with-siri-iph17bafe0f6/ios
support.apple.com/guide/iphone/find-out-what-siri-can-do-ipha48873ed6/ios
Alexa from Amazon
Alexa is the leader in smart home automation with broad device compatibility. It features direct Amazon shopping integration and is rated the best for smart home control. Lacking its own engine, Alexa uses Bing for web searches.
Key Features
- Natural Language Processing: Alexa uses advanced natural language processing to understand and respond to voice commands, enabling users to interact with it naturally.
- Core Functions: Voice Interaction: Users can ask questions, set reminders, and control devices using voice commands. Music and Media Playback: Alexa can stream music from various services like Amazon Music, Spotify, and Apple Music. Smart Home Control: It can control compatible smart home devices such as lights, thermostats, and security cameras.
- Skills and Customization: Alexa's functionality can be extended through "skills," which are similar to apps. Users can enable skills for weather updates, games, trivia, and more. Popular skills include trivia games like "Jeopardy!" and relaxation sounds for sleep.
- Integration with Other Services: Alexa can provide real-time information such as weather forecasts, news updates, and traffic conditions by accessing various data sources. It integrates with third-party services for tasks like ordering food or booking rides through Uber or Lyft.
- Smart Home Ecosystem: Alexa supports a wide range of smart home devices, allowing users to create routines that automate multiple actions (e.g., turning off lights and locking doors at bedtime). Users can easily add devices via the Alexa app or by voice command.
- Recent Enhancements: New features include improved conversational capabilities that allow Alexa to handle multiple requests simultaneously and understand nuanced commands. Users can now program routines without needing a smartphone by simply speaking their requirements.
- Privacy Features: Amazon provides options for users to manage their data and privacy settings, including the ability to delete voice recordings.
Alexa products from Amazon
Amazon Echo Show 5 (newest model) Smart display with 2x the bass and clearer sound
Amazon Echo Show 8 (newest model), With Spatial Audio, Smart Home Hub, and Alexa
Amazon Echo Show 10 (newest model), HD smart display with premium sound, motion and Alexa
All-new Amazon Echo Show 15 | A stunning HD 15.6" smart kitchen TV for home organization with Alexa
Amazon Echo Pop (newest model), Our smallest Alexa speaker, Fits in any room
Learn more about Alexa
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Alexa
home-assistant.io/integrations/alexa.smart_home/
aboutamazon.com/news/devices/new-alexa-features-2023
developer.amazon.com/en-US/docs/alexa/smarthome/understand-the-smart-home-skill-api.html
tomsguide.com/round-up/best-alexa-skills
aboutamazon.com/news/devices/make-your-home-a-smart-home-with-alexa
pcmag.com/how-to/nifty-amazon-echo-features-you-need-to-try
home-connect.com/global/works-with/voice-assistant/amazon-alexa
developer.amazon.com/en-US/alexa/devices/connected-devices
Cortana from Microsoft
As a Microsoft product, Cortana is productivity-focused with strong Microsoft Office integration. It has limited smart home capabilities. Cortana has little presence on non-Microsoft platforms. Of the leading products, Cortana is rated the weakest in voice recognition and response accuracy.
Key Features
- Voice Commands: Users can activate Cortana by saying "Hey Cortana" or by clicking the Cortana icon. It understands natural language, allowing for conversational interactions.
- Task Management: Set time-based, location-based, or people-based reminders. Schedule appointments and check upcoming events using integration with Outlook.
- Integration with Microsoft products: Works seamlessly with Microsoft Office applications like Word, Excel, and Outlook, enabling users to send emails or manage documents through voice commands.
- Smart Home Control: Can control compatible smart home devices such as lights and thermostats via voice commands.
- Information Retrieval: Provides answers to questions about weather, news updates, sports scores, and more by searching the web.
- Entertainment: Plays music from various streaming services and can tell jokes or provide trivia.
- Cross-Platform Functionality: Users can access Cortana on different devices and maintain settings across platforms.
- Natural Language Processing: Uses advanced NLP to understand user requests in a conversational tone rather than requiring specific commands.
Learn more. External links open in a new window.
botpenguin.com/glossary/cortana-virtual-assistant
techtarget.com/searchenterprisedesktop/definition/Cortana
laptopmag.com/articles/cortana-top-features
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Cortana
lenovo.com/us/en/glossary/cortana/
ninjaone.com/blog/what-is-cortana/
Google Assistant
Google Assistant is a powerful AI-powered virtual assistant developed by Google. As you would expect, Google Assistant features a robust integration with Google services. It is compatible with a huge base of smart home devices, and it has the most advanced natural language processing capabilities.
Key Features
- Voice Interaction: Activated by saying "Hey Google" or "OK Google". Uses advanced natural language processing for conversational interactions. Understands and responds to voice commands and questions.
- Core Functions: Set reminders, alarms, and create calendar events. Make phone calls, send messages, and check notifications. Provide weather updates, news, sports scores, and answer general knowledge questions. Offer directions, traffic updates, and business information. Manage compatible smart home devices.
- Media and Entertainment: Play music from various streaming services. Control podcast and news playback. Provide jokes, trivia, and fun facts.
- Productivity Features: Integrate with Google services (Gmail, Google Calendar, etc). Perform calculations and unit conversions. Translate languages. Read web pages aloud.
- Advanced Capabilities: Perform image searches. Create custom routines for multiple actions. Maintain conversation context without repeating wake words. Assist with flight check-ins and boarding passes.
- Platform Availability: Android devices. Google Home smart speakers. Compatible third-party devices.
Learn more. External links open in a new window.
support.google.com/assistant/answer/7172842?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
youtube.com/watch?v=XdZXpFBvTP8
sony.co.uk/electronics/support/wireless-headphones-bluetooth-headphones/wh-1000xm5/articles/00202241
youtube.com/watch?v=1P35ANoelys
tomsguide.com/round-up/best-google-assistant-commands
appinventiv.com/blog/best-new-features-google-assistant/
Links
aiplusinfo.com/blog/siri-vs-alexa-vs-cortana-comparing-virtual-personal-assistants/
blog.thebigphonestore.co.uk/siri-cortana-alexa-and-gemini-the-ai-assistants/
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8437561/
digitaltrends.com/computing/cortana-vs-siri-vs-google-now/
botpenguin.com/blogs/the-battle-of-voice-assistants-who-will-rise-to-the-top
sales-mind.ai/blog/best-ai-assistants-for-productivity-2024
hubitat.com/blog/560143040555-the-5-best-ai-voice-assistants-in-2024-ranked
analyticsinsight.net/tech-news/googles-gemini-ai-vs-siri-and-alexa-which-one-stands-out
builtin.com/artificial-intelligence/ai-assistant
youtube.com/watch?v=2HKpwd-5bcUtop five assistants