Voice Ask

Voice Ask is the fastest way to ask about the page you're on. By simply pressing Alt+S, you can verbally ask your question, and the answer will be displayed right on the orb — eliminating the need for a chat window.

This functionality is designed for quick inquiries that don't necessitate a lengthy conversation, such as "What is this PDF about?", "Who is this person?", or "Summarize this section."

How it Works

Voice Ask operates seamlessly, allowing you to engage with the content on a webpage without interrupting your workflow. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use it effectively:

1. Press Alt+S.

   • Upon pressing this keyboard shortcut, the orb will expand and pulse, indicating it's ready to listen. A microphone icon appears in the center to visually confirm that the system is active.

2. Speak Your Question.

   • Once activated, the orb will bounce gently, indicating that it is capturing your voice. Feel free to take your time with your question — the system is designed to wait for your voice input. It will conclude the session only after you have stopped speaking.

3. See What It Heard.

   • After you finish speaking, the orb expands into a capsule that displays your spoken question back to you. This visual feedback ensures that any misheard words can be promptly identified and corrected.

4. Read the Answer.

   • The reply will replace your question within the same capsule. If you wish to dismiss the answer early, you can either click on the orb or press Alt+S again. If you do not interact with the orb, it will tidy itself away after a brief moment.

What It Can See

Voice Ask utilizes the same contextual understanding as the rest of Evelant. This means that phrases like "this page," "this PDF," and "this person" will function as expected based on the content currently being viewed.

However, if the page has not been indexed or if your question does not pertain to the page content, Voice Ask will provide answers based on general knowledge instead. This ensures that you still receive valuable information, even if the specific context is not available.

Cost

Each Voice Ask interaction costs 1 credit, equivalent to that of a Quick Summary. The system is designed to use a fast, cost-effective model instead of your chosen chat model, focusing on delivering concise answers suitable for quick queries.

Microphone and Privacy

• The microphone is engaged only during an active Voice Ask session. There is no background listening to your conversations outside of this functionality.
• Your speech is transcribed using your browser's built-in Web Speech API. Importantly, the audio is neither recorded, stored, nor transmitted to Evelant's servers; only the resulting text is processed.
• On your first use, Chrome will prompt you for microphone permissions. Evelant will open a dedicated tab for this purpose since permission must be granted to the extension rather than individual websites. Once granted, this functionality will be available across all sites.
• If you prefer, you can disable Voice Ask entirely from the extension popup, which will prevent it from requesting microphone access altogether.

Good to Know

• The Alt+S shortcut is not activated while typing in text fields, ensuring it does not interrupt you mid-sentence on web pages that utilize the same shortcut.
• Voice Ask is compatible with any page where the orb is visible and does not require the chat panel to be open for functionality.
• If you do not speak during the session, Voice Ask will quietly terminate without sending an empty query, maintaining a clean user experience.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter issues while using Voice Ask, consider the following troubleshooting tips:

• Microphone Not Responding: Ensure that you have granted microphone permissions in your browser settings. Check if other applications are using the microphone, which might prevent Voice Ask from accessing it.
• Inaccurate Transcription: If Voice Ask frequently mishears your questions, try speaking more clearly or reducing background noise. The accuracy of transcription may vary based on your microphone quality and environmental factors.
• Orb Not Appearing: If the orb does not appear on certain pages, it may be due to compatibility issues. Ensure that you are using a supported browser and that the Evelant extension is properly installed and enabled.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use Voice Ask on mobile?

   • Currently, Voice Ask is optimized for desktop browsers. Mobile support may be introduced in future updates.

2. What types of questions can I ask?

   • You can ask any question that pertains to the visible content on the page. Examples include questions about images, text, or links present on the site.

3. Is there a limit to how long my question can be?

   • While there is no strict limit, it is advisable to keep questions concise for the best results. Short, clear questions tend to yield more accurate answers.

4. How do I provide feedback about my experience?

   • You can submit feedback directly through the Evelant extension’s feedback option, which helps the development team improve future iterations of the Voice Ask feature.

5. Will Voice Ask work on all websites?

   • Voice Ask is designed to work with most websites. However, some sites may have restrictions or special setups that can affect its functionality.

By following these guidelines and utilizing the Voice Ask feature effectively, you can enhance your browsing experience with Evelant, making information retrieval quicker and more intuitive.