Devices that can be controlled by voice control are not a news anymore. With all such devices around, a browser that can run on voice command is not quite something that makes you go wow, but there is no denying it’s utility. Mozilla, the organisation behind Firefox is working on such a browser called Scouts, that’s operated by voice rather than keyboard, mouse or touch screen taps.
The nonprofit revealed the Scout project is an agenda item for an all-hands meeting taking place this week in San Francisco. “With the Scout app, we start to explore browsing and consuming content with voice,” Mozilla said. A sample command shows how it might work: “Hey Scout, read me the article about polar bears.”
see also: Google launches ‘Chrome 66’ with exciting features
For Mozilla in particular, a voice controlled browser could potentially open up a new way to use web, and will hopefully help them stay relevant. Google Chrome has increasingly dominated Mozilla firefox in the last few years. Analytics firm StatCounter says Chrome accounts to 58 percent of web usage compared to Firefox’s 5 percent.
This innovation could prove really helpful for people with vision problems who today rely on-screen readers and other not so friendly fixes. Mozilla’s mission also is to Foster “an internet that includes all the peoples of the earth — where a person’s demographic characteristics do not determine their online access, opportunities or quality of experience.”
The project is still in it’s early stage.
Mozilla is trying to stay aggressive by upgrading it’s technology. It is building “quantum” versions of Firefox browser that are being fundamentally rebuilt for speed through years of long project. This did arrive in November, but works are still being done to overhaul other parts of the browser.
Post Your Comments