Digital Assistant

Also known as a mobile assistant and virtual digital assistant, a digital assistant is a computer program designed to assist a user by answering questions and performing basic tasks.

Today, people are familiar with smartphone digital assistants such as Google Assistant or Mycroft on Android smartphones, Siri on iPhones and iPads, and Bixby on Samsung phones. Smart speakers like the Amazon Echo and Google Home are also popular examples of a digital assistant. Microsoft Windows 10 users may also be familiar with Cortana, which is Microsoft's digital assistant for the computer.

Note

A digital assistant should not be confused with a virtual assistant or a human who remotely helps a person or company with tasks. Also, because most digital assistants are interacted with by using your voice, they may also be referred to as a voice assistant.

How to interact with a digital assistant

To interact with a digital assistant, you must use a wake word, which is a word or group of words your device uses to activate the digital assistant. Wake words include "Alexa," "Computer," "Echo," "Ok Google," "Hey Cortana," and "Hey Siri."

Once you've said the wake word, you would then ask the digital assistant a question. For example, with an Amazon Echo, the default wake word is "Alexa," once said, a blue light would illuminate to indicate it's ready for a question. You could then ask, "What is the current temperature?" to find out what the current temperature is in your area.

Note

If the device you're using does not have a wake word or it's disabled, you would interact with the digital assistant by pressing a button, activating a program, or typing.

Where are digital assistants found?

Today, digital assistants are found in more and more devices as their capabilities increase, voice recognition improves, and as more people are becoming reliant on them. Below is a list of some of the most common places you may find a digital assistant.

Smartphone.

Tablet.

Smartwatch.

Smart speaker.

Instant messaging programs.

Computer operating systems like Windows 10 and macOS.

Apple TV and DVRs.

Appliances.

Cars.

acebook

Portal

How can a digital assistant help me?

As digital assistants become popular, so do their capabilities and the tasks they're able to perform. Below are a few of some of the popular abilities (skills) most digital assistants can perform.

Answer basic questions.

Set alarms, timers, and reminders.

Get information about the weather.

Play a song or a genre of music.

Perform calculations.

Tell jokes.

Read audiobooks.

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