Siri, Why Are You So Underwhelming?

[dkf]

When Apple first unveiled the iPhone 4S, there was one feature that left every jaw in the room on the floor. Her name is Siri. Scott Forstall demoed the personal assistant at Apple’s media event, and the entire presentation went off without a hitch. Then, as expected, Apple released their commercials, which were equally impressive. In short, everyone and their brother was amped for Siri.

Then the iPhone 4S was released. Save for some battery life issues and my own mini-rant on Siri’s gender and humility, there really weren’t many complaints. Now, however, I find myself more bothered by my own expectations than anything else.

Why? Because Siri isn’t perfect, and perfect is what I expected.


Let me pause right here to say a few things: First, I realize that my complaining about Siri’s limitations is a strictly “first world” problem. Secondly, this post shouldn’t be taken as a poor review of Siri. Sure, she has shortcomings, and like just about any app or software feature, she makes mistakes. But I love her, and I can safely say that won’t change. In fact, I use Siri as much as possible, which is kind of the problem.

http://techcrunch.com/2011/11/02/siri-why-are-you-so-underwhelming/

[Exultant Democracy]

1. I'm pissed that apple turned off the siri in my iphone 4 when the S came out.

Very uncool apple very uncool.

[dkf]

2. I had it but didn't use it.

Was it the same as the 4s version? Or did it make a leap forward?

[Kablooie]

3. It's essentially a beta right now. In a year or two I'll bet it will be nearing perfection.

[sakabatou]

4. Will it still be able to understand the Scottish accent?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My40XgYEvLM

[Kablooie]

5. Yes, but it may have difficulty with Welsh accents. Too many 'L's tends to confuse it.

[JCMach1]

6. What, things not perfect in Appleland...

Also seems like huge problems with battery life for the 4S.

[emulatorloo]

10. You missed the part where the author says he loves Siri

See the last sentence above.

[IDemo]

7. See if you can get a better answer to "What is one divided by zero"? than we did

Obviously, it's an illegal mathematical operation, but Siri returned something involving infinity. This was on the boss's phone at work, so I don't remember the exact answer.
Me, I've got a dumb Tracfone, so it's no Siri or other web distractions.

[undeterred]

8. Okay, I thought you were talking about her.

[spanone]

9. anyone expecting perfect is destined for disappointment..

[Logical]

11. My daughter loves asking it questions! And it s still in beta!