Zypr

= Zypr by Pioneer = toc  Zypr is an open source natural voice command system owned by Pioneer that offers a another take on  voice command user interfaces. The service itself is free and any company can utilize the API to integrate into a wide range of devices and services no matter the OS or form factor. Though service is completely free Pioneer plans to subsidize the cost through profit sharing and an advertising scheme similar to Google’s. As Techcrunch describes, “ Zypr’s API is designed to simplify device connectivity to the many devices and applications we use on a daily basis, including in-vehicle entertainment, tablets, TVs, and smartphone apps, aggregating them in a single portal, under a single account. It’s a consistent way to access voice UI, maps and routing, local search, social networking, music, radio, etc. from your car, from home, from work, or on your smartphone at the grocery store.”

 Zypr is more of an aggregator of services that adds a natural voice command skin to any application. Pioneer provides the following example, “instead of mashing up “Twitter” with “Tuner2”, a Zypr client can integrate Social Networking and Internet Radio generically such that no matter what services are selected by the end user, the two services are integrated through Zypr.” Zypr is effectively a middle man that adds one conversational voice command UI. It also serves as a universal login to the consumers on tablets, tvs, and smartphones. This interoperability puts Zypr in a unique position when compared to other voice controlled system. The API is so robust that developers that use Zypr do not have to manually update their API’s. This eliminates the frustration that 3rd party developers face with backend integration of APIs. Zypr’s API has been released to the public but as of yet no implementation has come to market.

Zypr's Future
Zypr has the potential to become the dominate voice command UI in the future. When compared to Siri or Voice Actions for android it offers a flexible and robust system for developers and consumers. It could be used to handle all voice command at an information center and the patron would only have to have a central account with Zypr to utilize natural voice command on all voice enabled devices with in the building. The open source nature of the software makes it more likely to be adopted by a wider range of intuitions and product producers. It does not require a comment to any one software ecosystem.

 Zypr out classes Voice Actions for Android because does not require controlled vocabulary. Siri on the other hand still offers a user experience that Zypr does not. Zypr does not have the DARPA designed artificial intelligence on the front end. John Alfano, strategic consultant to Pioneer “‘It’s conversational, but this isn’t artificial intelligence… We don’t have people spending time making clever responses to things,’ he said, in an obvious reference to some of Siri’s well-document lighthearted interactions. ‘Ask what color its eyes are, and it’ll just say ‘Please repeat command.’’” It seems as if Zypr was designed to be far more utilitarian then Siri. But, Zypr is open to any OS environment where Siri is only available to Apple, on one device. Zypr’s utilitarian and open design philosophy makes it a perfect companion to Android’s ecosystem. It is also not likely that Apple will allow a Zypr app on iOS since Siri is in direct competition with the system and it overlaps may of Siri’s capabilities. Zypr may have a grim future on iOS but with its open source sensibilities Zypr has the potential to have much wider adoption. This all depends on Zypr being both operable and successfully implemented.

Zypr vs Siri vs Voice Actions for Android
The current crop of voice command apps are very similar pieces of technology. In the end neither is superior to the other and the choice is depends on the users preferences. Both platforms performer the same functions. Voice Actions has turn- by-turn navigation natively instead of Siri that does not have this ability. Siri can use Google maps but can not do turn-by-turn dictation. This may change as Apple is reportedly and when Siri is opened up to third part applications. Apple is working on a map service but has yet to implement the service. Voice actions also can call any number from the web where Siri is limited to contacts in the phone’s phonebook. With the launch of Android Ice Cream Sandwich users can now active Voice Actions just by through voice command instead of having to use a physical button to launch the service. Siri advantage is lies in its artificial intelligence and natural language recognition. Apples implementation allows the user to interact with phone naturally and positions it as a an intelligent assistant. Not having to use a control vocabulary really opens up the usability of the program. Zypr can be seen as a combination of both Siri and Voice Actions for Android. It offers the openness of android with the conversational voice command of Siri. On the other hand, Siri offers an experience that has a personality backed by artificial intelligence and will this, is in many ways aesthetics, Siri simulates the feeling of having an “intelligent assistant”. The simulated personality could provide the impetus to use the service. No matter which voice command UI the user chooses it seem that new side of UI has been opened up to an exciting future.

Voice Command and Information Centers
Voice command is likely to be further implement beyond smartphones and It is good for information professional to be aware of technology trends. This allows the information professionals to know how to best implement the technology in their intuitions. It could be building apps to integrate with smartphone’s voice command to locate books or even librarians in the information carter. To extend the idea to the extreme libraries could see automated systems that answer patrons quarries through voice command structure first developed for smart phones. Zypr can be seen as a potential way to implement natural language voice command on a large scale and potential inside of information centers.

**References**
Aguliar, D.(2011). Zypr: Voice Control for Every Device and Application. //Gizmodo//. Retrieved from []

 Empson, R. (2011). Zypr Releases API That Lets You Control Your Favorite Web Services With Your Voice. //Techcrunch//. Retrieved from []

 Friedman, L. (2011). Zypr API promises developers free, Siri-like voice control. //Macworld.com//. Retrieved From []

 Paul, I. (2011). Apple's Siri vs. Android's Voice Actions: Feature Showdown. PCworld. Retrieved from []

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman',serif; font-size: 14px;"> Zypr. (2011). Retrieved from []