Despite years of hype about voice becoming the primary interface for everything, most of us still primarily interact with screens. This isn't a failure of the technology, but a recognition that different modalities excel in different contexts.

Through designing voice experiences for several major brands, I've learned that voice interfaces shine in specific scenarios: when users' hands are occupied (cooking, driving), when accessibility is a priority, for simple queries that would take longer to type, and in environments where screens are impractical.

Conversely, voice struggles with complex data presentation, selection from many options, privacy-sensitive interactions, and noisy environments. This is why most successful voice implementations are multimodal - combining voice with visual elements rather than replacing them entirely.

Good voice design starts with mapping appropriate use cases, not forcing voice where it doesn't belong. Ask: Would voice genuinely make this task easier or faster? Could environmental factors impede voice interaction? Is privacy a concern?

From there, design for natural conversation rather than commands. People don't speak in keywords - they use filler words, change direction mid-sentence, and refer back to previous statements. Effective voice systems handle these natural patterns gracefully.

Error handling is critical. When voice systems fail to understand users (and they will), recovery should be simple. Always provide visual fallbacks or alternative paths when possible.

The most successful voice interfaces maintain continuity with other interface modes. Information provided by voice should be accessible later through visual interfaces. Context should transfer seamlessly between modalities.

The future isn't voice-only - it's thoughtful integration of voice where it truly adds value, as one tool in a multimodal design approach.