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The Wall Street Journal

2Q 2013 Mobile Research Shows Voice Control Technologies Resonating With Apple and Google Users

Parks Associates' Voice Recognition & Control on Mobile Devices, based on multiple consumer surveys including a March 2013 survey of smartphone owners, finds a majority of both Apple iPhone Siri users and Google Now users are “very” satisfied with the voice control and recognition technologies. Specifically 55% of Apple Siri users and 50% of Google Now users are “very” satisfied with the technologies.

“Adoption rates for voice control technologies have increased over the last year; roughly one-fifth of broadband users surveyed use either Siri or Google Now,” said John Barrett, director, consumer analytics, Parks Associates. “Both Apple’s Siri technology and Google Now are commonly used to look up information and send text messages. However, over 50% of Siri users play music or schedule events with the technology, a much higher rate than Google Now users."

Parks Associates analysts say the future outlook for voice control technologies received a boost when Intel Capital announced it will invest $100 million over 2-3 years in perceptual computing technologies, including voice and gesture control.

Parks Associates research:

  • 48% of Siri users and 39% of Google Now users use the feature for five or more activities monthly
  • 77% of Siri users and 70% of Google Now users use it to look up information
  • 71% of Siri users and 74% of Google Now users use it to send text messages

“Roughly one-half of those using these features say it is 'very important' to have voice control on their next smartphone, and our research shows this consumer demand is expanding to TVs and other connected home devices,” Barrett said.

Parks Associates research also shows consumers perceive safety benefits in using voice control, notably in connected cars where it enables hands-free operation while driving. 

From the article, "Parks Associates: 2Q 2013 Mobile Research Shows Voice Control Technologies Resonating With Apple and Google Users." 

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