Voice assistants are becoming increasingly popular
Of the German citizens over 40 years of age, the so-called digital immigrants, only 25 percent last year used digital voice assistants. This year, 38 percent of them are already speaking with such a digital helper. “The surge in growth and the great interest of the older generation lies in the nature of the matter: the use of voice assistants is much closer to the elderly who did not grow up with digital devices. Typing, scrolling and swiping are perceived as more of a hassle, ”says Thomas Brosch, Chief Digital Officer at Postbank.
Sort everyday digital life
“But interest is also increasing among younger Germans. No wonder, because digital voice assistants are practical everyday helpers that accelerate many processes, ”Brosch says. In the age group of under 40-year-olds, users of digital voice assistants are in the majority for the first time this year: 59 percent use their support, compared to 48 percent last year.
There are many possible uses for digital helpers. For example, you can announce the weather forecast, answer questions, play music, podcasts or audio books or take over the scheduling. Digital assistants are also available in the smart home. The lighting or electronic devices in the household can be switched on and off using voice control.
Voice assistants: Google in front of Alexa and Siri
Germans speak most often with Google Assistant, 23 percent use it. Alexa has risen and displaced Siri this year in third place. Amazon’s Echo with Alexa comes to 18 percent, Siri from Apple to 15 percent and Cortana from Microsoft to 13 percent. Google Home is used by 13 percent, Alexa on the tablet by 10 percent, making Google the overall market leader in this segment. The younger ones under 40 years use Siri as often as Amazon’s Echo, but Google Assistant is also the most popular in this age group.
Families live more often with digital assistants
Language assistants in large families are used above average. 59 percent of households with four or more people speak with digital assistants. In three-person households it is also an above-average 58 percent. Those who live alone also rarely use a digital helper like Siri or Alexa: only a third of single households speak to digital assistants.
Also read: Smart Speaker: How speech applications make everyday life easier
