For many of us in the tech world, it’s hard to imagine life without the latest iPhone or Pixel at our sides, but not everyone in the world has access to such devices or a way to easily browse the Internet. In a 2017 Wall Street Journal article, “The End of Typing: The Next Billion Mobile Users Will Rely on Video and Voice”, shows how a man from New Delhi, despite the fact he’s not very comfortable with reading and typing, through his feature phone can now use voice to check train schedules, send messages to family, and download movies. For folks with visual or muscular impairments, voice can enable them to do a variety of tasks and gain back some independence. Combine voice with virtual assistants and we have new ways to empower millions to get personalized, crucial access to the Internet.

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