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Chatbots to be newest automated assistants
Posted on: 13/Apr/2016 3:00:07 PM
New automated assistants offering information and services at a variety of businesses will soon be avaialble on Facebook`s Messanger app, Microsoft`s Skype and Canada`s Kik. Named chatbots, this is basically software that conducts human like conversation.
Recently, on a trip to China, a D.C. attorney said, (I) was amazed at how extensively (my) friends used bots and similar technology on the texting service WeChat to pay for meals, order movie tickets and even send each other gifts. It was mind-blowing. U.S. services lag way behind.
According to a media and technology consultant, Online messaging has become routine for most people, offering more immediacy than email or voice calls. Messaging services are now growing faster than traditional online social platforms such as Facebook or Twitter.
Experts say that chatbots can be more effective in handling a wider range of tasks, when compared to apps offered by businesses. A senior executive from Microsoft says, Bots are the new apps.
Microsoft has recently created bots for businesses that will interact with customers on Skype. Similarly, Facebook will unveil similar tools for its Messenger service soon, say experts. Facebook has also been testing a digital assistant called M that can answer questions. M can also perform tasks in response to commands on Messenger.
Kik is popular among US teenagers. They opened a new bot shop recently that answers questions about the weather, shows funny videos and helps with online shopping.
Says a leading venture capital firm, In Asia, many smartphone owners are used to playing games and buying items through messaging services like WeChat, which claims 700 million active users. One in five WeChat users has added bank or credit card information so that person can check balances, pay bills or send money to friends.
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