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During a 2022 survey conducted in the United Kingdom, it was found that listening to music via a streaming service like Spotify, Apple Music, or Deezer was the main activity performed on smart speakers by respondents, with 86 percent stating that they did this. By contrast, only 14 out of the 100 interviewees claimed to use smart speakers to listen to audiobooks.

Smart speakers

Smart speakers are loudspeakers powered by a virtual intelligent assistant and can be controlled by spoken commands. Such speakers can perform various tasks, for example streaming audio content, answering calls, setting alarms, answering questions on several topics, and communicating with other devices. Given their capabilities, smart speakers are often set up as smart home hubs. Nowadays, several brands offer smart speakers, with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomePod mini being among the most popular. In January 2023, Apple announced the release of their second generation HomePod.

Smart home

The expression “smart home” refers to a home setup where devices and appliances are controlled remotely through an internet connection. The smart home market is forecast to grow in the coming years, reaching a size of over 142 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. The markets include several subsegments, examples of which include smart appliances, control and connectivity, security, and entertainment. The growth of the market is in line with the increasing number of smart homes worldwide, which is expected to amount to roughly 353 million by 2023.