Intelligent Virtual Assistant (IVA) Market Trends

• The characteristics expected from a smart speaker nowadays include playing music and controlling smart home devices. An increasing number of smart speakers is believed to give voice assistants more utility in a connected user's life. In a short period of time, voice-activated speakers have become a part of people's routines. Reasons for this include the ability to use the technology while multitasking, the fact that people speak more quickly than they type (speed), and increasing human interfaces.
• Further, consumers frequently like products that are both affordable and packed with high-end features. Due to its promotional tactics at a Whole Foods store and Alexa-focused advertisements on both the web and television commercials, Amazon Alexa achieved tremendous momentum among consumers. Amazon also lowered the price of several of its products to obtain a competitive edge.
• Publishers and media companies are trying out new content and ways for smart speakers to interact with it.For instance, publishers like NPR, Reuters, the New York Times, CNN, and local news providers, such as the Tennessean, IndyStar, and Texas Tribune, are all creating short audio briefings designed to be heard on smart speakers.

Among the most well-known smart speakers are the Amazon Echo and Google Nest ranges of products, but there are plenty of third-party speakers, like the Sonos One, which come with both Alexa and Google Assistant built-in. These companies are rolling out new products to cater to the increasing market demand. Smart speakers are forecast to drive the next wave of FMCG and grocery e-commerce. Companies are thinking of integrating voice technology into a broader cross-channel strategy.