Hardware Companion Apps Will Benefit From AI: Reducing App Fatigue for a Seamless User Experience
With an app for nearly every device, app fatigue is a growing concern. For hardware providers who rely on apps to unlock advanced features, this fatigue presents a unique challenge. Users might not want to download yet another app, but there’s an opportunity on the horizon: AI-powered voice assistants could make it possible to control hardware features without needing to navigate complex apps. Imagine simply speaking to a smarter Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant to manage every aspect of your hardware’s capabilities.
App Fatigue: A Barrier for Hardware Providers
The promise of app-based control has been a game-changer for many products, from soundbars and thermostats to home security systems. However, consumers often skip downloading companion apps, viewing them as just another item on a crowded phone. This reluctance can limit their experience and prevent them from accessing advanced functionalities that make their device shine.
The Opportunity: Voice-Controlled Hardware
With AI-driven improvements in voice control, smart assistants can do much more than answer simple questions—they can execute complex commands that interface directly with hardware apps. This evolution is especially valuable for devices with intricate features, like soundbars with spatial audio settings, multi-room audio management, and advanced equalization controls. For example:
Instead of navigating numerous sliders and options, you could say, “Hey Siri, turn down the music, increase the volume on the video call, and direct my friend’s voice through the back speakers.”
AI can simplify tasks like multi-room audio control by handling commands such as, “Disconnect all speakers except the living room,” or “Set up different audio sources in each room.”
With AI, users can access the full potential of their devices through natural language, turning complex configurations into simple spoken requests.
A New Era for Hardware Manufacturers
For hardware manufacturers, this shift represents a new frontier in user experience. By integrating their systems with voice assistants, manufacturers can reduce dependence on standalone apps. Instead of spending time building intricate app interfaces, developers can focus on integrating controls directly into smart assistant ecosystems. The result? More intuitive, hands-free user experiences that can enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Realizing the Full Potential of AI and Hardware Integration
As AI becomes more sophisticated, it can handle layered commands and context, allowing users to engage with their hardware seamlessly:
Contextual Awareness: Smart assistants will learn usage patterns, automatically adjusting settings to fit preferences. For example, they could remember that you prefer movie soundtracks at lower volumes in the evening or that your family uses different audio setups based on time of day.
Multi-Device Coordination: AI-powered assistants will soon manage several connected devices at once. Imagine asking for a “quiet mode” that lowers music volume, pauses notifications, and redirects calls to another room.
As AI transforms hardware management, it enables devices to deliver more value without overwhelming users with apps or intricate controls. For hardware manufacturers, embracing this change will not only address app fatigue but also unlock new potential for richer, more intuitive user experiences.