Compared to smartphones as excellent carriers of the mobile internet era, every company involved in artificial intelligence must consider which product serves as the carrier of AI to reach consumers. Even IBM, which rarely interacts directly with ordinary consumers, has been advertising its Watson. Beyond smartphones, foreign tech giants are all seeking hardware carriers for their voice assistants as a form of AI. While Apple, Google, and Microsoft’s Siri, Google Assistant (formerly Google Now), and Cortana first appeared on smartphones, Amazon, which had no first-mover advantage in voice assistants and suffered a major defeat in the smartphone battlefield, successfully distorted reality through its smart speaker Echo. This made all tech giants realize that AI and voice assistants should not awkwardly tell jokes on smartphones but should exist as tools.
Why smart speakers? In the journey of AI reaching consumers, usefulness is more important than being interesting. In choosing a carrier for voice assistants, a smart speaker sitting indoors is more natural and discreet than a smartphone that is always taken out. 
Google Home exemplifies this, and tech companies on the Pacific coast have begun to produce smart speakers. Google has made the Google Home speaker a focus of its Google I/O conference over the past two years, while Apple has positioned the HomePod as the “One More Thing” at this year’s WWDC. In contrast, the tech trends from Silicon Valley take time to cross the Pacific, and many agile startup teams have produced similar products. However, from the market response, none have successfully crossed over to reach the mass consumer market. At this point, people turned their attention to Xiaomi, which responded positively and released a Xiaomi TV with an AI assistant. However, this AI product has a high barrier of 3,000 yuan, requiring users to have a living room. Thus, attention shifted to BAT, which also responded positively. Baidu introduced a self-driving car and recruited Lu Qi, Tencent presented “smart cloud” as an open platform, and Alibaba launched a consumer-oriented smart speaker priced at 499 yuan.
Clearly, Alibaba’s launch of AI products is not a spur-of-the-moment decision. Prior to this, Jack Ma announced the launch of the NASA plan at the first technology conference. This plan, named after the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, aims to leverage technologies such as machine learning, chips, IoT (Internet of Things), operating systems, and biometrics to achieve the vision of “building the world’s fifth-largest economy in the next 20 years, serving 2 billion consumers globally, creating 100 million jobs, and helping 10 million businesses profit, just as NASA has driven significant advancements in human technology and life. Alibaba’s new economy will also be built on new technologies.” The e-commerce business behind Taobao and Tmall is currently Alibaba’s main business, while the rapidly growing Alibaba Cloud business and new retail and entertainment sectors form Alibaba’s flanks and potential growth areas to alleviate Jack Ma’s anxiety about the next decade. As for the updated NASA plan, it is what Alibaba and Jack Ma are considering for the next 20 years. Even when considering 20 years ahead, this does not mean BAT can afford to take their time, especially in a situation where AI experts are extremely scarce. Those who start slowly, do not value talent, or do not actively engage with consumers may find themselves in tears in a few years.
Amazon Echo, on the other hand, is a typical example of a tech company with strong execution and influence that has found the right path, proving the competitive nature of this field. Since starting to gradually develop AI in 2014, Alibaba has already launched several products, including the recently released “Damage Assessment Treasure,” which can replace core roles in the insurance industry. However, the Tmall Genie X1 is still Alibaba’s first foray into hardware.
Appearance: Low-key and Unobtrusive. Apple’s HomePod is wrapped in a mesh similar to the previous Mac Pro, while Google’s Google Home is a round little chubby figure. In terms of design style, Tmall Genie X1 is actually similar to Amazon Echo, with a more regular cylindrical shape and a matte black finish that is not eye-catching, neither sexy nor cute.
However, as a smart speaker with a voice assistant that does not need to be hidden at all times, a flashy speaker with bright colors and sharp edges is not its positioning. 
Therefore, even the light effects of Tmall Genie have been specially designed, with a circular light strip hidden near the bottom of the body to utilize the physical reflection of light from the bottom, avoiding direct light into the eyes, achieving an indication effect without disturbing people.
In addition to the black version, Tmall Genie X1 also comes in white, and these two basic colors confirm the saying: when you don’t know what to wear, black (or white) is the right choice.
While I quite like various lighting effects on keyboards and mice, I must admit that home appliances should avoid light pollution, and their appearance should be low-key and quiet.
To achieve a quiet effect, Tmall Genie X1 not only redesigned the lighting effects but also used materials that echo this need: the upper and lower layers use skin-like touch plastic and mesh fabric, both of which are non-reflective. Even the Tmall logo is only visible up close. This confirms another saying: if you want to use plastic without making it feel cheap, a matte finish with a skin-like touch is a good choice.
As a voice-controlled smart speaker, having too many manual operation buttons is clearly a design failure. 
We can visually see only one physical button, which is the microphone switch. On either side of this button are the volume touch controls for the speaker, and of course, once the microphone is activated and connected to the internet, we can also control the volume through voice commands.
Speaking of the design of Tmall Genie X1, I can’t help but recall another hardware product named after Tmall: the Tmall Magic Box. Compared to the cute style of the Tmall Magic Box, the designer of Tmall Genie X1 has indeed been quite restrained.
Back then, the lighting of the Tmall Magic Box was a bit disturbing, and some lessons have been learned, such as how to handle lighting.
Talking about the experience, unlike the touch screen graphical user interfaces of iOS and Android, smart speakers with voice assistants bring a new interaction method. With the development of AI and voice interaction, voice interaction designers have become highly sought after in Silicon Valley. They do not use Photoshop or Sketch for interfaces, nor do they use Principle or Framer for prototypes. A new technological era has given rise to a new design position. Therefore, when discussing Tmall Genie X1, we need to change our perspective; it is not a product similar to PCs or smartphones, but rather a product at the initial stage of AI landing on consumers, utilizing voice interaction.
When it performs various tasks, Tmall Genie X1 gives a feeling similar to that of Iron Man controlling J.A.R.V.I.S. However, just as we often feel that Siri is often off-topic and behaves like an idiot, the success rate of voice interaction with smart speakers is lower than that of interactions with smartphones. Currently, flagship iOS and Android devices have already bid farewell to unresponsiveness and lag, but the success rate of voice control on smart speakers often falls below 95%. Without a graphical interface, the interaction success rate is lower than that of smartphones. Google user experience designer Riceman offers several tips for AI products:
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Are you ready to “clean up” for the not-so-smart “artificial intelligence”?
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Is the user’s usage threshold low enough? Is the positive feedback timely enough?
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Is the error rate of machine learning low enough? Are users more satisfied and trusting of your product?
The so-called “cleaning up” is similar to the Home button in Android or iOS, allowing users to know that a misoperation is not a big deal and there is a place to start over. When we use smart voice products, we do not expect them to transform into Iron Man to protect the world. Clearly, we just want to ask about the weather, listen to the news, play music, control a lamp and air conditioner, and ideally, recharge our phone or buy toilet paper. Over time, smart speakers will understand users better, and users will trust and rely on this AI product more, forming positive feedback. Additionally, if we look at voice interaction from a future perspective, we will find that the development potential in this field is quite significant. In graphical user interfaces, development has progressed over decades, with Apple moving from 2D to 3D Touch, while voice interaction is still in its infancy.
Recently, the viral social media hit “8-Bit Music Note” has proven the fun (and absurdity) of voice control in games, while the rave reviews for “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” highlight the importance of openness in the gaming world. However, keyboard controllers and even touch screen control methods are not open at all; rather, the potential for voice interaction is much greater.
New Experience with Voice Assistants. In the summary article of the Tmall Genie X1 launch event, we learned that Alibaba wants Tmall Genie X1 to focus on three main functions: “personal assistant, home appliance manager, and children’s teacher.” However, in reality, just as today’s smartphones can make calls, send messages, listen to music, watch videos, shop, and work, a smart speaker can do many things. A launch event or an article cannot fully explain everything. For most people who are still somewhat unfamiliar with this device, initially, Tmall Genie X1 still requires the help of a smartphone to connect to the internet and get through the beginner phase. After entering the Tmall Genie app on the smartphone, the process of connecting the device to the network begins. This process is not complicated. It is worth noting that Tmall Genie X1 does not support 5G WiFi, so this device is not suitable for congested office environments but is more suitable for home environments with fewer connected devices. Once the network is set up, users can watch a beginner video that helps them understand some basic functions of Tmall Genie and how to use it. The next crucial step is registering the voiceprint, which simply involves speaking numbers as prompted by Tmall Genie X1, allowing the device to learn the user’s biometric characteristics. The purpose of registering the voiceprint is to enable the device to recognize who is speaking. Over time, Tmall Genie X1 will understand the user’s preferences and provide more targeted services. Another key function of the voiceprint is for shopping; in this context, the voiceprint serves a similar role to a fingerprint, allowing Tmall Genie X1 to complete payments only after biometric verification. After completing the network setup, beginner guidance, and voiceprint registration, the smartphone’s role diminishes, and the smart speaker can operate independently, with the smartphone becoming more of a message recorder. However, it is beneficial to have this message recorder, as it allows me to know what I have said to Tmall Genie X1 and visually present the dialogue process.
When we face a voice assistant, we instinctively ask about the weather or request a joke. In fact, asking about the weather is something almost all voice assistants can do now. As for telling jokes, since voice assistants have not yet mastered human intonation, it often comes off as awkward. Therefore, we will skip these two parts for now. Let’s focus on the shopping aspect, which is closely linked to Alibaba.
After registering my voiceprint, I started asking Tmall Genie to help me recharge my phone. The entire conversation felt quite natural, like a dialogue between a boss and a secretary (though I have no secretary, just imagining):
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Recharge 100 yuan for me.
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Please tell me the phone number you want to recharge?
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152@#￥%&*28
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Okay, recharging 100 yuan for 152@#￥%&*28, is that correct?
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Yes.
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Done.
The entire dialogue process was very natural and smooth. If I wanted to buy toilet paper or cola, Tmall Genie X1, linked to my Taobao account, would also be very convenient, all based on contextual semantic understanding for shopping. In addition to placing orders, we can also ask Tmall Genie X1 about the status of our deliveries. However, currently, this shopping feature is limited to Tmall Supermarket, as the B2C model offers more guarantees. In the future, it may also open up to Taobao shopping, but the challenge for Alibaba’s AI lab is how to compare prices on voice devices.
During my conversation with Tmall Genie X1 in the Beijing office, my editor, who has not had a girlfriend for years, expressed a heartfelt sentiment: “I X, this is the best voice assistant voice I have ever heard.” To some extent, the voice of a voice assistant is as important as the aesthetic appeal of a smartphone interface. Tmall Genie X1 has done very well in this regard, as it does not have that strong robotic feel.
Especially when reciting poetry, it has a certain rhythm, rather than being flat and monotonous. Of course, this is relative, as it is still a machine, and at times, Tmall Genie X1’s intonation and phrasing are not as natural as a human’s. For specific performance, you can check out the review video from Aifaner.
Listening to music is a high-frequency necessity, and Tmall Genie X1 is equipped with a 5W full-range speaker. Given its relatively small size and price of 499 yuan, the volume and sound quality of this speaker are worth the price. Although audio products are often described as “sounding good under 10,000 yuan,” Tmall Genie X1 at least avoids the cheap and harsh sound quality.
During my conversations with Tmall Genie X1, I also discovered some small Easter eggs and minor errors. One Easter egg is that we can ask Tmall Genie to flip a coin, and we will hear the sound of the coin being tossed, landing, spinning, and finally stopping, with Tmall Genie X1 randomly announcing “heads” or “tails” to help make decisions. For example, when I want to sleep in and not go to work, I might ask whether to use being sick as an excuse to take a day off or say my girlfriend is sick and needs care. Another Easter egg is that Tmall Genie X1 has some built-in mini-games, like guessing numbers. Of course, it also has some minor errors; for instance, when I asked it about the personality of Leo, it responded with the daily horoscope for Leo (indicating it does not believe in astrology).
In addition to shopping, checking the weather, reciting poetry, setting alarms, playing music, Tmall Genie X1 can currently do many things: countdowns, finding phones, listening to audiobooks, learning English, controlling smart home devices, etc.
In summary, this is a product similar to a smartphone. What Alibaba, third-party developers, and hardware manufacturers want to expand on this product and platform will depend on the future. Currently, Tmall Genie can accomplish many tasks, allowing us not to have to pull out our phones for everything. However, as a new product, I have also noticed some aspects that need attention: it has a relatively high requirement for internet speed; if the internet speed is poor or congested, its response will slow down; speaking clearly is necessary; otherwise, voiceprint recognition may fail, leading to recharge failures; and sentence structures should be kept simple; avoid long sentences, as it may not understand in the end… After discussing the experience of Tmall Genie X1, we can also answer the tips provided by Google user experience designer Riceman for AI products:
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Are you ready to “clean up” for the not-so-smart “artificial intelligence”? (Yes, users can always say “exit” and “Tmall Genie” to restart commands.)
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Is the user’s usage threshold low enough? Is the positive feedback timely enough? (The usage threshold is not high, but many functions require exploration and learning, and feedback is relatively timely.)
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Is the error rate of machine learning low enough? Are users more satisfied and trusting of your product? (The error rate is higher than that of using a smartphone; sometimes it misunderstands or gives incorrect answers. After some interaction, users may transfer some smartphone functions to Tmall Genie X1.)
Less Phone Use, Goodbye UI? Before using Tmall Genie X1, I discovered a somewhat significant issue: my smartphone dependency was quite severe. When my phone is nearby, I tend to unlock it to check the weather, but after looking, I find myself scrolling through social media without any real need. Sometimes, even when I have no need for my phone, I unlock it just to see the screen light up, then lock it and put it back in my pocket. Especially on weekends, when I should be focusing on reading or watching movies, my attention becomes very scattered due to the presence of my smartphone, making it hard to concentrate on one thing for a long time, such as finishing half a book or watching a slow-paced movie.
Essentially, the smartphone is a tool, but its stickiness has turned many people into puppets of their phones. When I realized this issue was affecting my work and life, I began to resolve to distance myself from my phone and limit the number of times I unlock it. The product characteristics of smart speakers allow for quick use; at least at this stage, I have not seen anyone become addicted to playing with a speaker. Another characteristic of voice products is that they allow for multitasking to some extent, as controlling a smart speaker does not require visual attention. Therefore, when I want to check the weather, set an alarm, or confirm information, I can directly ask Tmall Genie X1 instead of picking up my phone and getting distracted again. At this point, Tmall Genie X1 serves as a competent tool, satisfying small needs while also helping me control my phone usage.
Smartphones and mobile internet have increasingly fragmented people’s time, leading to greater fragmentation. As a somewhat alternative, Tmall Genie X1, while also fragmenting time, does so in a more straightforward manner, without the continuous distractions that smartphones bring.
If we consider usefulness, Tmall Genie has done reasonably well in content, whether it’s the English learning materials needed by young people, the nursery rhymes and stories needed by parents, or the crosstalk and storytelling favored by older adults. Including smart home control, recharging phones, buying toilet paper, querying Taobao logistics, and even tossing coins and countdowns, all these small Easter egg functions have been well executed. As a smart speaker product, its backend services can also be upgraded and learned, becoming more powerful. In comparison, the Amazon Echo smart speaker product, when it first launched, had average sound quality and limited intelligence, but Amazon continuously allowed it to learn skills, eventually becoming a benchmark. This has led to discussions about the future direction of UI, with some conclusions suggesting that the future UI will be one without a UI. Tony Aube, the chief designer of Osmo, believes that the emergence of AI technology, along with motion recognition chips and brain-machine interfaces, will lead computer interaction towards a user interface-less future.
Of course, this transformation is still in its early stages, but we can already see that DJI’s newly released consumer drone Spark supports gesture control, and Musk, who has led PayPal and SpaceX and made Tesla the leader in electric vehicles, is also researching brain-machine interfaces. Not to mention the recent surge of smart speaker products.
The reason products like Tmall Genie X1 provoke my thoughts is that smartphones have reached their peak, while new products are still in their infancy. Smart speakers may very well be a turning point in technological history: Are we too closely tied to our smartphones? Is the future of interaction still in a difficult budding stage?
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