Designing Effective Speech Interfaces

What Is an Interface?

An interface is the part of technology that people interact with. The interaction between a computer and a user is a two-way interaction. Sometimes the user is giving information to the computer, and sometimes the computer is giving information to the user. This interaction can include hardware components like keyboards, mice, or keypads, or software components such as a screen, window, page, sound, or talking voice. Any technology, computer, or machine also has elements the operator or user never sees or interacts with. In the case of software, code and programming are hidden elements. Since the user only interacts with the interface, the interface is in many ways the embodiment of the product. If a user comments that a particular product is easy to use or hard to use, they are not necessarily commenting on the underlying technology, but usually on the interface.

Designing an interface is no small task. What you consider a “well-designed” interface depends on your perspective. To a programmer, a well-designed interface might mean that the interface works within the technical constraints of the project. To a product manager, a well-designed interface might mean that the interface can be easily changed over time as new versions of the product are developed. To a business stakeholder, a well-designed interface might mean that the interface has more bells and whistles than the competition's product. To a usability engineer a well-designed interface might mean ...