We’re now constantly connected – the average person checks their phone 150 times a day – but it’s an unwanted burden for many. Canvas8 spoke with cyborg anthropologist Amber Case, author of Calm Technology, to understand the importance of designing tech that respects people’s limited attention.

Voice-activated assistants like Siri sit silently on smartphones until they’re needed – so it’s no surprise that 63% of people don’t realise they’re already using AI. With the launch of the Home Mini, Google is trying to make the technology similarly inconspicuous within a domestic setting.

As more and more people worldwide use virtual assistants such as Siri and Alexa, both within homes and on the go, it’s becoming increasingly important for brands to consider how these AIs respond with their ‘voices’. What should they sound like, and what kind of tone should they take with users?

As people grow more familiar with the Internet of Things, smart home tech is set to proliferate. Yet while there’s a demand for certain specific devices, most people either don’t know how the tech works or are put off by high prices. So is the smart home revolution really around the corner?