Artificially intelligent systems optimized for speech conversation are appearing at a fast pace. Such models are interesting from a healthcare perspective, as these voice-controlled assistants may support the elderly and enable remote health monitoring. The bottleneck for efficacy, however, is how well these devices work in practice and how the elderly experience them, but research on this topic is scant. We review elderly use of voice-controlled AI and highlight various user- and technology-centered issues, that need to be considered before effective speech-controlled AI for elderly care can be realized.

The announcements came as Google faces pressure over how much access outside developers have to its users' private data, including people's Gmail messages and Google profile information. Google on Monday said it planned to clamp down on such access and effectively close the consumer functionality of Google . The company has also drawn criticism for testing a mobile search engine in China that adheres to the country's censors. Google addressed privacy concerns only tangentially at the event. "We need to offer simple, powerful ways to safeguard your devices," said Rick Osterloh, Google's vice president of hardware. The company's latest Android smartphones, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, which will sell for $799 and $899, have an updated design and improvements to their already lauded cameras.

Roku plans to add a voice-controlled digital assistant to its streaming TV players in an attempt to catch up with Google, Apple and Amazon. Roku's voice capabilities are currently limited to performing search requests and launching apps. The assistant will be able to field broader requests about video, music and other tasks tied to entertainment. Roku plans to add a voice-controlled digital assistant to its streaming TV players in an attempt to catch up with Google, Apple and Amazon. Roku's voice capabilities are currently limited to performing search requests and launching apps Roku revealed its plans for a home entertainment licensing program, which will allow OEM brands to build soundbars, smart speakers, surround sound, and multi-room audio systems using Roku Connect software. These would also be enabled with the Roku Entertainment Assistant.

Roku plans to add a voice-controlled digital assistant to its streaming TV players in an attempt to catch up with Google, Apple and Amazon. Roku's voice capabilities are currently limited to performing search requests and launching apps. The assistant will be able to field broader requests about video, music and other tasks tied to entertainment. Still, that's a much narrower scope than the assistants already available from its bigger rivals in the battle to build digital command centers in people's homes. Google's Assistant, Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa can perform tasks and control appliances that have nothing do with entertainment.

Still, that's a much narrower scope than the assistants already available from its bigger rivals in the battle to build digital command centers in people's homes. Google's Assistant, Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa can perform tasks and control appliances that have nothing do with entertainment.

The two archrivals in the field of cloud computing are partnering so their voice-controlled assistants can talk to one another. A link has been sent to your friend's email address. A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. The two archrivals in the field of cloud computing are partnering so their voice-controlled assistants can talk to one another.

Google has taken itself down a very promising road with its new Pixel phone line, offering a level of polish and power that makes it very competitive with the market's top phones. I admit that I was a bit underwhelmed by the Pixel's first appearance, which came at a Google launch event earlier this month. Google's Nexus line of phones had always appealed well to the niche Android superfan audience, and on paper it did not seem that the 750 Pixel would really offer that much more. Yet my mind changed after the company sent me a Pixel XL to review. The Pixel XL proved to be an elegant, capable and -- best of all -- useful phone.

Apple is taking two big steps to improve its voice-controlled assistant, Siri, according to a new report from tech news site the Information that cites a single person with "direct knowledge" of Apple's plans. For one, it's apparently working on a standalone speaker that can house the voice-controlled assistant, like Amazon's Echo or the forthcoming Google Home. That may sound like some pretty big news, even Apple is a little late to the market for smart home hubs, apart from some small forays with Siri and the Apple TV. But the real revelation from the Infomation article is the report that Apple's going to open Siri up to developers, perhaps as soon as next month during the company's annual developers conference. An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment on the report. "A change in Apple's developer relationship is more exciting than a new product?"