A Glimpse of Podcasting's Voice-Only Future

Podcasting is an audio-first medium consumed on devices that have built-in microphones. Yet the listening experience is reliant on eyes and hands. What would a voice-only listener experience look like? 

https://podcastpontifications.com/episode/a-glimpse-of-podcastings-voice-only-future

Building on my talk with the CEO of Vocalize, today we'll explore a "what if" scenario where podcast listeners only have to use voice commands to control their podcast listening experience. 

Let's first focus on the idea of reserving a memorable phrase for your podcast that when spoken aloud with intent or accompanied by an activation phrase does more than just take someone to your podcast.

Can it drop them into where they left off? If they're caught up, could it recommend a different podcast from your network? Or an episode of a different podcast where you were the guest?

I know such a service seems fantastical. And I'll grant you that today it is. But I don't think it always will be.

Today, we type in URLs—secret phrases—to get to a destination. It's not really a stretch to consider tomorrow we'll be able to speak a secret phrase—likely a different secret phrase than the URL—to get to a destination.

Should I also register make podcasting better? Or maybe Evo Terra's podcast? And will the system be smart enough to offer suggestions or request clarification if the spoken phrase isn't an exact match? 

One of the first tricks a solid voice-enabled podcast listing experience has to figure out is how to navigate through the episodes of the show. That's not going to be easy. But using voice commands to navigate within an episode might be. Commands like start, stop, and skip variety seem like low-hanging fruit, along with volume up, rewind 15 seconds, or even get details. Implementing these base-level, common interactions to a voice-only mode would solve the sudsy hands or back pocket problems of podcasting. 

Again, I'm spitballing here. I know it's a lot of work to make this viable happen. In fact, I think the bet is it will happen. And when it does, I think it will certainly make podcasting better. (Trademark Evo Terra! Just kidding.) 

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Links

Vocalize Incwannagetaway.comtires.comwhoownswhoinpodcasting.comihearthin.gsOttoRadio Over 100K active podcasters trust Buzzsprout Got a podcasting service? Become a sponsor of Podcast Pontifications.Serious about podcasting? Join the Advancing Podcasting Community today!
Got a podcasting service? Become a sponsor of Podcast Pontifications.Serious about podcasting? Join the Advancing Podcasting Community...

Podcasting is an audio-first medium consumed on devices that have built-in microphones. Yet the listening experience is reliant on eyes and hands. What would a voice-only listener experience look like? 

https://podcastpontifications.com/episode/a-glimpse-of-podcastings-voice-only-future

Building on my talk with the CEO of Vocalize, today we'll explore a "what if" scenario where podcast listeners only have to use voice commands to control their podcast listening experience. 

Let's first focus on the idea of reserving a memorable phrase for your podcast that when spoken aloud with intent or accompanied by an activation phrase does more than just take someone to your podcast.

Can it drop them into where they left off? If they're caught up, could it recommend a different podcast from your network? Or an episode of a different podcast where you were the guest?

I know such a service seems fantastical. And I'll grant you that today it is. But I don't think it always will be.

Today, we type in URLs—secret phrases—to get to a destination. It's not really a stretch to consider tomorrow we'll be able to speak a secret phrase—likely a different secret phrase than the URL—to get to a destination.

Should I also register make podcasting better? Or maybe Evo Terra's podcast? And will the system be smart enough to offer suggestions or request clarification if the spoken phrase isn't an exact match? 

One of the first tricks a solid voice-enabled podcast listing experience has to figure out is how to navigate through the episodes of the show. That's not going to be easy. But using voice commands to navigate within an episode might be. Commands like start, stop, and skip variety seem like low-hanging fruit, along with volume up, rewind 15 seconds, or even get details. Implementing these base-level, common interactions to a voice-only mode would solve the sudsy hands or back pocket problems of podcasting. 

Again, I'm spitballing here. I know it's a lot of work to make this viable happen. In fact, I think the bet is it will happen. And when it does, I think it will certainly make podcasting better. (Trademark Evo Terra! Just kidding.) 

-----

Links

Vocalize Incwannagetaway.comtires.comwhoownswhoinpodcasting.comihearthin.gsOttoRadio Over 100K active podcasters trust Buzzsprout Got a podcasting service? Become a sponsor of Podcast Pontifications.Serious about podcasting? Join the Advancing Podcasting Community today!
Got a podcasting service? Become a sponsor of Podcast Pontifications.Serious about podcasting? Join the Advancing Podcasting Community today!

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It's created and hosted by Evo Terra. Follow him on Twitter for more podcasting insights as they come. Allie Press assists with the production and transcription of the show.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Support For Abortion Rights

While Americans overwhelmingly support the right of an individual to make their own decisions about abortion, unfortunately, that right is no longer protected everywhere in the U.S. The Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on June 24th.

Abortion is a basic healthcare need for the millions of people who can become pregnant. Everyone should have the freedom to decide what’s best for themselves and their families, including when it comes to ending a pregnancy. This decision has dire consequences for individual health and safety, and could have harsh repercussions for other landmark decisions.

Restricting access to comprehensive reproductive care, including abortion, threatens the health and independence of all Americans. Even if you live in a state where abortion rights are upheld, access to safe medical procedures shouldn’t be determined by location, and it shouldn't be the privilege of a small few.

You can help by donating to local abortion funds. To find out where to donate for each state, visit donations4abortion.com.

If you or someone you know needs help, or if you want to get more involved, here are 5 resources:

1. ShoutYourAbortion.com is a campaign to normalize abortion.
2. DontBanEquality.com is a campaign for companies to take a stand against abortion restrictions.
3. Abortion.cafe has information about where to find clinics.
4. PlanCPills.org provides early at-home abortion pills that you can keep in your medicine cabinet.
5. Choice.CRD.co has a collection of these resources and more.

We encourage you to speak up! And spread the word.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Podsights - https://podsights.com/privacy