Futuristic Trend of the Year: Voice-Enabled Tech

While self-driving cars and virtual reality get a ton of buzz and investment, it will take time before that futuristic technology is integrated into our everyday lives. Voice-enabled tech is much closer, and 2017 might be the year we finally have meaningful conversations with our phones and other devices.

2017 might be the year we finally have meaningful conversations with our phones and other devices.

In late 2016, Microsoft conducted a test that found a significant drop in word errors made by voice-recognition systems. Over the course of the experiment, the error rate dropped to 6.3 percent — similar to recognition errors made by humans. In addition, industry experts anticipate sales of products like Google Home or Amazon Echo will more than double in 2017. This year, we'll start using voice recognition in new ways, with it popping up on our TVs, appliances, and kids' devices.

Victor Melfi is chief strategy officer at VoiceBox, a company that builds voice applications for cars, homes, and mobile markets and works with major brands. "Clearly, consumers have gotten used to using a voice Bluetooth speaker to ask for music and general information," Melfi explained. He believes people are ready for new integrations and says voice commands will start mimicking the way we think. For example, the technology he's working on lets you say things like, "Hey, what's that Italian restaurant somewhere within a few blocks of the Space Needle?" Melfi notes the distinction: "That's how we think about the world around us, versus 'navigate from current location to 1313 Mockingbird Lane.'"

Big in 2017
Marc Jacobs

This is number 13 in our 15-part series on 2017 lifestyle trends. Check out the entire Big in 2017 feature to find out what else will power your style, friendships, and home life this year.