Unfortunately for avid fans, many of the technological advancements predicted by science fiction books, films and TV shows are still painfully out of reach. Virtual assistants such as Apple's Siri, and Microsoft's Cortana might be helpful every now and again, but the brave new world where fully voice-controlled computer systems are promised to exist seems lightyears away.

In the meantime, however, a single tweet has sent avid Star Trek fans into a mini frenzy, after it teased the possibility that the franchise's iconic LCARS computer voice could replace the stock verbal responses for "things such as Siri".

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The tweet originated from the official 'Roddenberry' account in reference to speculation that the late Majel Barrett's voice could return in the franchise's upcoming TV reboot series, Star Trek: Discovery. Barrett – the wife of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry – voiced the on-board computer systems of Starfleet vessels in multiple Star Trek TV series such The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager.

It was thought that Barett's last Star Trek role would be in JJ Abrams' 2009 reboot, which included clips recorded prior to her death in 2008. However, the tweet notes that her voice had been "recorded phonetically", leaving the door open for posthumous voice roles in both the upcoming Star Trek: Discovery, but also as a chatty assistant on smartphones at some point in the future.

While there is no official confirmation that a Star Trek-styled Siri is on the way, that has not stopped "Trekkies" from expressing their excitement:

Star Trek