However, the "solution" is not to give EVERYONE a remote... but you're right, it's not a technology problem....
"The booing rose and died again as Piggy lifted the white, magic remote."
While talking to your "device" makes sense when you're driving a vehicle, unless you're handicapped or otherwise temporarily physically impaired, I simply don't see the advantage of talking to your computer or your television.
I can type far faster than I can talk.
and
I can push a button on my remote control far faster than I can say "SIRI, LAST CHANNEL" or "SIRI, MENU... INTERNET... NEW RELEASES.... SCROLL DOWN.... SCROLL DOWN... SELECT AIRWOLF.... SELECT SEASON TWO... SELECT EPISODE FOUR... PLAY EPISODE FOUR... etc. etc.".
Not to mention waking up whoever happens to be napping on the couch next to me with all my definitive verbal commands.
Sorry but I have to wave the "BS" flag here....You don't type faster than you talk, let alone not taking into account errors while typing. You sure as heck aren't going to press a button on a remote > select a source > select a folder > scroll through numerous files > then select "Airwolf" faster than you could say "Siri, play Airwolf season two episode four.
You also assume that you have the remote in your hand ready to go... Sorry but I like to put the remote down and get comfortable when I want to watch an engaging show.
See, I imagine it where you don't have to tell Siri to scroll down. You tell it what you want to watch and it gives you options. Whether they be on your media server, from your cable company, Netflix or off of the internet. Now, imagine it learns that, me personally, I really enjoy the History channel - hmmm.... So it keeps that in mind when I speak to it and it will also notify me that there is an unwatched episode of Ancient Aliens available.
It learns your viewing habits and it takes that into account before you even have to go "searching" for something to watch.
Imagine if you get home from work and you simply say: "Siri, I want to watch an action move starring Matt Damon." It replies back with movie options and you say: "Siri, Borne Ultimatum."
The whole time you're winding down getting into something more comfortable and not sitting on the couch looking at a screen. What if while you're speaking to Siri, you're breaking out a cold beer or preparing a snack and say: "Siri, what time does the Broncos game start?" Siri comes back and states: "The game is already playing on Channel 3, would you like to watch it?" "Siri, yes."
The whole time you're busy doing something else. Now granted depending on the size and layout of your house, it may or may not be a feasible scenario. My kitchen happens to be open to the living room.
I can see Siri as being always "on" and not having to press any buttons. Let's face it, if you have to press a button, you might as well just use a remote. I can see that you have to say Siri or some other "code word" for it to respond to your inputs. I can also see having profiles with authority levels, so you can override your children when they are screaming at the top of their lungs at the tv to watch some kids show.
I can also see Apple, licensing or making the use of Siri free to 3rd parties, similar to Airplay. Imagine if your entire home theatre system would be recognized by Siri automatically once it was powered on. You could then play a movie and tell Siri if you wanted to use the 7.1 surround sound system or the speakers in the tv. You never have to do any setup at all; it just works.
Also imagine if you're watching tv in your living room and you feel like finish watching the show in your bedroom before you go to sleep; you tell, "Siri, pause the program and I want to finish watching in bedroom."
All of your Apple TVs would be synced and everything would simply just work. Also imagine if you are in your study, you pick up your iPhone and ask: "Siri, what is Bobby watching on tv?" Siri: "Bobby is watching Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince." Everything could be synced across the cloud.
Imagine getting a notification from Siri that one of your favourite shows is on and Siri is asking if you want it recorded so you can watch it when you get home.
Just some ideas...
TV (including a Siri microphone) for around a $99 purchase that works with any shape, size, screen type television- including the televisions we already have- and easily updated without having to toss out the whole TV.
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