Voice Recognition and the Future of Computers

It is widely speculated that after touch screen computers and convertibles (laptop/tablet hybrids) peak within the market, manufacturers will

to voice recognition. But is this really feasible? What will it take for computers to recognize our words with the same precision as the click of a mouse?

It could start with search, smartphones and Web browsing. Google

has invested a lot of money in the technology, offering a

to those who would like to type with their voice (among other things). It is not a new idea, but it is a necessary step in creating a system that recognizes voice with the degree of reliability that people have come to expect from traditional typing. Many would argue that accuracy cannot be accounted upon, nor should it be accounted upon for the foreseeable future. But it is paramount if the tech industry intends for voice recognition to be the next popular trend in computing. It is not yet known who will benefit most from this venture -- personal or professional users. In theory, business users have the most to gain. Busy executives could feasibly produce memos, send e-mails, tweak Excel documents and perform other simple tasks without having to physically touch a computer. Technically these things should already be possible, but they have yet to be perfected so it is often easier to do them the traditional way. (That is, by sitting in front of a computer screen with a mouse and keyboard.) When they are perfected, however, voice recognition technology could be easier, faster and more desirable. Consumers have a lot to look forward to as well. When search tools advance beyond the simplicity of Apple's

Siri, users should be able to tell their favorite Web browser to search for

. There will not be any hiccups or mistakes or silly questions asking the user to repeat the search query. Rather, the computer will reliably understand everything the user is saying and deliver an appropriate response. Long-term, the real innovations will come from the software applications that have yet to be developed. The problem with the current crop of voice-activated devices and software tools is that they only provide an alternative to what is currently available. It is not innovative -- or creative -- for tech companies to simply replace the mouse and keyboard. (Motion controls and touch screens have a better shot of doing that anyway.) True innovation comes from things that users did not know they needed. That is how the mouse and keyboard were born. They did not merely replace another form of computing -- they

an entirely new user interface. Without the mouse, computers would not be where they are today. For voice recognition to be truly successful (and truly useful), it needs to produce a similar level of innovation. Until then it will be relegated to the likes of Siri, which was more commercial hype than professional execution.