A new category of Wearable technology has emerged in the case of ‘Hearables’ (think Apple AirPods), which are becoming increasingly smarter with Apple’s Airpods soon to be able to respond to Siri in late 2019. According to CCS Insight, shipments of these wireless devices rose from 2 million in 2017 to 6 million in 2018 and a Gartner forecast from November 2018 shows that ear-worn devices are estimated to surpass those of smartwatches by 2022.

Although only 1.4% of wireless headphone owners interacted with voice assistants in 2018, Voice continues to be the next step in the evolution of how people interact with information since it’s more natural than using a keyboard or touchpad, and requires less steps to gather the information. Thus, this number is expected to increase drastically with Google, Amazon, and Microsoft all expected to launch hearable products in the near future to compete against AirPods.

With Jack in the Box having a very distinguishable tone and voice, there is a tremendous opportunity for Jack in the Box to utilize these near wearables to create a connection to the brand.  People will be out and about their day with these hearable devices and be able to ask Siri/Alexa anything, whether it be the time of day or ordering Jack in the Box via Postmates. These headphones will also have the functionality for 3D audio which we can provide the ability to give consumers an expanded listening experience while going about their daily lives.

Damo Academy, a research center for scientific and technological advancement, compiled a list of their top ten emerging trends that are influencing the tech industry leading ahead of 2019 – with a focus on smart-technology, privacy and speed:

 Smart Cities

• Traffic simulations to accurately combat the growing issue of traffic in major urban cities, where tech algorithms can help cities incorporate smart infrastructure to promote increased mobility.

 

Speech AI

• Text-to-Speech tech advancement where AI speech could sound identical to that of a Human voice.

 

Specialized AI Chips

• Smart chips to process a mass amount of data at a fast speed to improve performance of devices.

 

Machine “Common Sense”

• Speech AI technology incorporated into human interacting machinery, so that machines make rational, human-like decisions

 

Computing Architectures

• Developing AI will allow for computing technology to run stronger performance as well as increased energy efficiency with the help of advanced memory devices.

 

5G Networks

• Wireless technology is going to become increasingly fast in the next year, boasting 100x the speed of its 4G predecessor.

 

Digital Identity

• The rise of wearable and wearable devices is developing a second form of online identification. People are becoming accustomed to a more personalized technological experience which builds trust.

 

Autonomous Driving

• Vehicles are on the verge of implementing advanced self-driving technology for personal and public transportation.

 

 Blockchain Applications

• With cyber security on the forefront of emerging technological advances, companies will be increasing their use of blockchain applications to ensure all data is secure from outside parties.

 Data-Protection

• Companies are now taking active measures to make sure all personal information for individuals are protected and safe from invasive data breaches.

 

The top tech trends of 2019 are mostly centered around the concept of having a faster, more personalized and private experience. Technology is getting smarter to the point where it can almost mimic the experience of a 1:1 human interaction, in part due to the promise of faster and smarter machines.

Previously consumers have been weary of trusting emerging technology out of fear of the unknown. The more human-like a machine is capable of acting, the more it can resonate trust with the consumers. Brands who attach themselves with these technologies who are connecting with consumers also have the potential to show that they are both at the forefront of the tech landscape but also care about a genuine human connection.

Finally, consumers understand that data is “give-and-get”. The more data consumers give, the more they are willing to get from companies. With those of the “giving” comes in the form of personal data, consumers want to make sure they are not being taken advantage of and value companies who make a consistent effort to keep people’s information private and continue to give engaging content.

Facebook has filed a patent that would make it easier to target whole families with ads by analyzing the photos they post. The new system covers an algorithm that would identify elements of photographs — like faces or other details— and cross-reference them with other data to build a profile of an entire household. Facebook earlier this year revised their algorithm, so to prioritize what their friends and family share and comment on, while de-emphasizing content from publishers and brands. Followed now by the recent launch of the Portal that included advanced face-tracking features for its “smart camera” which aimed particularly at helping people connect with children or grandchildren. It seems incidentally, that Family is going to become more of a focal point for the network.

Facebook doesn’t go into what “demographic composition” covers, however the description touts a way to hyper-target users based on household size, household member characteristics, shared interests, which household members use which electronic devices, and whether those users are Facebook members. Ultimately, it’s just another way to improve the efficiency of their targeting.

AdLingo, a Google supported startup is putting chatbots inside display ads where users can type in their questions directly and receive quick responses. The first brands to test this is Allstar Kia dealership and Tophatter, a live auction site. While chatbots are not a new way to communicate with brands, they have mostly lived on the advertiser’s website or within a messaging app, like Facebook Messenger. What differentiates AdLingo’s chatbot is that it lives within a display unit targeted to an in-market shopper with a specific CTA like “Chat now”. The entire experience happens within the same page or app, without any additional steps that require you to leave to another platform/ site. While it’s still too early to tell efficiency of this new unit, Allstar Kia has been able to learn a consumer’s user journey in their car trade-in process through the types of questions that are being asked.

Gartner predicted that by 2020, 85% of business will be conducted without human interaction. Brands consistently find ingenious ways to improve their customer experiences with the assistance of artificial intelligence. Early-adopters such as Sephora makes product recommendations with a chatbot. Starbucks’ artificially intelligent barista takes your order. And as we’ve already learnt from Jack in the Box’s campaign such as the Reddit AMA, people crave transparency, and to feel a direct line of communication. Bringing this experience into the native environment they’re already consuming content is another step in improving the user experience.

Amazon Alexa’s will soon be able to tell if someone is sick based on the change in their voice. Its partnership with UK’s National Health Service allows the smart device to diagnose medical symptoms and provide remedial suggestions. Its ability to intake the most minuscule voice changes can tell someone’s emotional states like anger, crying, or boredom. Once the emotional data is received, Alexa can layer it with demographic data to give an appropriate response such as telling a joke or a suggestion of products to order. This new patent will be a bigger improvement in voice detection to what Alexa is already rolling out. The new features, Whisper Mode, changes Alexa’s volume to accommodate to a quiet environment just from intaking the background noise, and Alexa Guard, recognizes safety disrupting sounds such as smoke alarms and glass breaking.

While this patent was recently passed and still needs time to roll out in the marketplace, this advance humanizes AI’s and lessens the gap from a human assistant. Amazon is beginning to pave way to tap into understanding human emotions by saying “If your voice sounds shaky, then you are sad”.

Of course, there will be misunderstood signs and error as the machines learns, but this is truly exciting and groundbreaking, especially as this will add a new layer to sharpen Amazon’s first party data. It’s only a matter of time until Amazon opens the pool to advertisers to take advantage of key behavioral moments. Alexa is already suggesting medicines or recipe for chicken soup, so pharma brands have a space to target those who need a cough drop or cold medicine and have them delivered within the same day through Amazon’s delivery system. But looking further, Amazon’s ability to identify exactly what the user needs based on their emotional triggers will open up endless possibilities for brands to present their products right when they need it.

Person (voice with less energy; around lunch time): What are some food options around here?

Alexa: Are you feeling hungry? Would you like a Buttery Jack from Jack in the Box meal delivered to you?