Hindsight · review build · data not yet validated
Also ubiquitous are language user interfaces (LUIs), which combine continuous speech recognition (CSR) and natural language understanding. For routine matters, such as simple business transactions and information inquiries, LUIs are quite responsive and precise. They tend to be narrowly focused, however, on specific types of tasks. LUIs are frequently combined with animated personalities. ...
Grader A: partial
Narrow speech interfaces for routine transactions existed: phone IVR systems with speech recognition (AT&T from 1992) were common in call centers, and Google's GOOG-411 ran from 2007. But they were not 'ubiquitous' in daily computing, were not known as precise, and were rarely combined with animated personalities. Smartphone voice assistants arrived from 2011 (Siri).
Test: Routine use by at least 20% of the relevant industry (large call centers): plausibly met for speech IVR; general-user daily use of language interfaces under 20% in 2009, reached only with Siri (2011) and later assistants.
Grader B: partial
Speech-driven phone systems for narrow tasks (airline, bank, directory services like GOOG-411) were widespread by 2009, and Siri arrived in 2011. 'Ubiquitous' overstates 2009, and animated personalities on these interfaces were rare.
Test: Industry test: speech IVR used routinely by large call-center operators (>5%, likely >20%); animated-personality LUIs ~0%.