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Do you guys think there will ever be a FOSS voice assistant? (kbin.social)

submitted 10 months ago by milkytoast@kbin.social to c/foss@beehaw.org

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Theres Dicio, which honestly does all that I need a voice assistant to do, but I have to open the app to use it, I cant just say "Hey Dicio" or whatever. Is something like that possible?

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[–] Drinvictus@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

There is no reason why it should not exist other than the fact that there really is no interest. Except for a few uses here and there (driving for example), voice assistants are just gimmicks.

[–] state_electrician@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I mean, that's like your personal opinion and not some objective fact.

[–] Drinvictus@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Not really. Even Amazon, Apple and Google have been investing in assistants less and less. They have had massive lay offs from voice assistant teams.

https://www-theregister-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.theregister.com/AMP/2022/11/23/voice_assistants_fail/?amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIUAKwASCAAgM%3D#amp_ct=1704369199164&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=17043691929854&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theregister.com%2F2022%2F11%2F23%2Fvoice_assistants_fail%2F

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-64371426

"But it's not clear whether they are money-making opportunities. Reports say most interactions are relatively simple tasks like checking the weather, or playing music.

More broadly, according to one report, over the past three years voice assistant use has been falling and another report suggests that the adoption of smart speakers is slowing."

So no it's not just "my opinion". But sure just down vote and fuck off.

[–] state_electrician@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 10 months ago

I mean, that only says something about the money making part and not the pure usability. For many people the commercial options are a gimmick, sure. But are these options, with a clear focus on milking the customers for money, really the ultimate state for voice assistants? I'd argue they are not. There is a space for free voice assistants that let users control their data and that still provide a value. Beyond users with disabilities that make it hard to impossible to use computers, voice assistants won't ever do something you cannot do with a computer (which includes smartphones). If that makes you consider them a gimmick then I don't have an argument. But I think it is nice and convenient to be able to use a computer with your voice while doing something else.

[–] milkytoast@kbin.social 1 points 10 months ago

I think that that just means that there's not much point in developing them further. they're still great for the simple tasks, like texting while driving.