Virtual assistants have come a long way since iPhone’s Siri first entered the scene in 2011. Today, the family of virtual assistants has grown to include Amazon Alexa, the Google Assistant, and Microsoft Cortana. These assistants help families and business owners through interactions with a variety of devices, including computers, smartphones, and smart speakers. With a few simple commands, virtual assistants can make phone calls, play songs, display schedules, find directions, and order anything from cleaning supplies to clothes. Virtual assistant voice activation has even been integrated into cars and mirrors. Now smart home technology is advancing its utility and reach by pairing with HP printers. Printers have long been important equipment in the small business setting—and in recent years—have become equally important in the consumer printer market. This article will explore a few of the benefits this new technology will extend to consumers.
- Automatic Configuration
A few minutes can mean the difference between a hectic or smooth day in most homes. Forgetting to print an important document for work or an essay for school can create a nuisance. The stakes for small businesses are even higher, as presentation decks and training materials are crucial to ensuring that operations run at an even keel. With voice command enabled printers, homeowners and business owners will be able to save themselves a few precious minutes each day. Instead of sitting at a computer, searching for files, and setting up printing configurations—which can be cumbersome and confusing—all a person has to do is ask. Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Microsoft Cortana will be able to take care of the printing while homeowners and business owners are free to pursue more important tasks.
- Automatic Maintenance
Everyone knows the frustration of running late for work or school, needing to print an important document, and finding that the home printer is out of ink, has a paper jam, or needs cleaning. HP’s new virtual assistant integrated printing will help consumers sidestep these concerns. Before low ink levels become a problem, consumers will be able to ask a virtual assistant to check the ink and order more if it’s needed. Furthermore, regular printer maintenance could be scheduled with a few simple commands. Adding new printers to a complex network will be easier than ever. These innovations will allow printers to better serve work and home environments and save consumers quite a bit of frustration.
- Automatic Learning
Virtual assistants have developed the skill to automatically know when a consumer is going from home to work and vice-versa. With this knowledge in hand, a virtual assistant can go the extra step, monitor traffic conditions, and relay travel times to users, all without direct questions or programming. Soon, HP managed print services will be able to learn and perform alongside virtual assistants. If a business owner has a flight to catch early in the morning, they could walk into their home office to find their itinerary already downloaded and printed. Learning preferred settings and preferences for different projects and documents will allow consumers, virtual assistants, and printing equipment to work together in greater harmony.
Conclusion
Voice-activated printing will be a valuable skill for Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Microsoft Cortana in the near future. If you’re interested in learning more about this new HP printer technology, reach out to GREENAN. Since 1971, GREENAN has served New York City’s office equipment needs. Years of experience has given us the knowledge in selling equipment, fixing and repairing office equipment, and keeping your fleet running right.