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Microsoft Announces Siri Competitor Cortana, Coming With Windows Phone 8.1
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Finally, Microsoft does something cool for its phone
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Cool, I didn't realize Siri could set a timer. (seriously).
My most used is just to set an alarm in the morning "wake me up at 630 tomorrow".
My second most used is with the Reminders app, specifically for grocery lists. Bear with me, as this is an excuse to talk about a feature that probably most people don't know they can use...
In the Reminders app I created a list called "Trader Joes". I also have one called "Safeway". (Those are two grocery chain stores over here)
So to use this I tell Siri "Add wine to my trader joes list" and "wine" gets added in that specific list in the Reminders app.
Best of all, if you log onto iCloud.com, you can share the reminders list with someone else. So I shared it with my girlfriend, and now the list is on her Reminders app. She can also add things to our list.
Also, the Reminders app has a check off based system, so I can check things off as I put them in my cart, and they'll even auto sync with the list on my girlfriend's phone.
What amazes me is how much Apple products get rubbished by the media and tech press yet when they need clicks these same products find their way into headlines. Most of the headlines around the Amazon STB call it an Apple TV competitor and never mention Roku (even though I keep hearing about how it's so much better than ATV). The New York Times had an article on Cortana and Google Now was never mentioned in the article. Yet Google Now supposedly wipes the floor with Siri. Really pathetic. If Apple products/services are that inferior then quit using them for click bait.
Siri doesn't do danish, which limits it to do timers and alarms. Can't even "Call <name>" cause it doesn't understand names spoken danish, I have to guess how they sound in english.
After installing iOS 7.1, I reset my settings. Turns out SIRI is default off (know its in denmark due to carrier settings?) and then uses the voice control interface. I didn't notice, so i was like this -><- close to throwing my phone at the wall.
ME: set timer for 15min...
IT: FACETIMING FREIND....
ME: nooo stop, set timer for 15min...
IT: FACETIMING FREIND....
ME: no **** stop.... SET TIMER FOR 15 MINUTES....
IT: FACETIMING FREIND....
ME: WTF CANCEL CANCEL.... SET....TIMER....FOR.... FIFTEEN ....MINUTES....
IT: FACETIMING FREIND....
ME: CANCEL CANCEL....ARE YOU ****ING DEAF? SEEEEEET.... TIIIIIIMMMEEEERRR..... FOOOOOOR .... FIIIIIFTTTEEEENNN MIIINNNNUTTTESSS...
IT: FACETIMING FREIND....
ME: ARRRRRGGGGG ...... oh wait, this is not the SIRI interface....
After installing iOS 7.1, I reset my settings. Turns out SIRI is default off (know its in denmark due to carrier settings?) and then uses the voice control interface. I didn't notice, so i was like this -><- close to throwing my phone at the wall.
ME: set timer for 15min...
IT: FACETIMING FREIND....
ME: nooo stop, set timer for 15min...
IT: FACETIMING FREIND....
ME: no **** stop.... SET TIMER FOR 15 MINUTES....
IT: FACETIMING FREIND....
ME: WTF CANCEL CANCEL.... SET....TIMER....FOR.... FIFTEEN ....MINUTES....
IT: FACETIMING FREIND....
ME: CANCEL CANCEL....ARE YOU ****ING DEAF? SEEEEEET.... TIIIIIIMMMEEEERRR..... FOOOOOOR .... FIIIIIFTTTEEEENNN MIIINNNNUTTTESSS...
IT: FACETIMING FREIND....
ME: ARRRRRGGGGG ...... oh wait, this is not the SIRI interface....
Excellent! I didn't realize that listing was an option with Reminders. I'll give it a shot!
BTW, Trader Joes as it happens is here where I live, though it has been a long time since I've seen a Safeway in the Midwest. Bit of a walk down memory lane to hear that name. Thanks!
Try having Siri change the pronunciation by telling her that's not how you pronounce it.
http://ios.wonderhowto.com/how-to/make-siri-pronounce-contact-names-correctly-ios-7-0148665/
Although, I suppose it's possible that some Danish sounds in language don't exist in English, so it may still not work. But worth a shot.
the problem comes down to money. Always money.
Apple is a hot topic. Bring them up in the news when reviewing the Amazon TV, MORE CLICKS!
bring up roku? yo're just not going to get the same attention to the article.
this is 2014. there's no use for fact based reporting anymore. now it's purely "lets name drop so we can get all the clicks and more revenues!"
I use Siri for one thing on a very regular basis, and people who see me do it start doing it as well. I'll share it with you in case it's useful:
"Siri, remind me to do X when I get home."
I say that all the time. It also works for my wife, who is Australian. I'm sure Siri does many other wonderful things, but this is really, really useful to me.
Just thought I'd share.
Just pathetic.
I get worked up over it. Like I keep legitimately wanting to rant and rave at these horrible tech sites and their ridiculous bias towards whomever wants to give them free stuff.
Can't go to Engadget anymore without slavering Apple fanboy authors.
Can't go to The Verge without their mix of Fanboys (they have apple camp and an Android camp of authors)
only real tech site I trust anymore is Anandtech. While AnAnd sometimes shows his bias, the sheer amount of scientific analytical data they collect there at least backs up what they say.
But it drives me up the wall when I see blind devoted fanboys of Any company. Especially when they're supposed to be in a position of expertise and professional unbiased testing.
Heck, I could probably write better, less emotionally biased reviews if I could get my hands on as much tech as these guys get thrown at them for free.
But thats probably it too. They get it for free cause the tech companies know they'll get generally favorable reviews from doing it
That's what Microsoft has always done, like with Windows...copy Macintosh and make billions...
Not now Microsoft, not now....iPhone's got you, now!!
Not now Microsoft, not now....iPhone's got you, now!!
It's a developer conference. That wouldn't make any sense since Microsoft is the only developer of Office for Mac.
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Exactly, get rid of a feature that many others may be using and enjoying only because YOU don't want it.
I use siri more and more these days, especially in the car. Competition is always good. I hope this pushes Apple to continue to innovate in greater leaps. Siri still leaves much to be desired.
I hate the Verge because more often than not their articles read as PR releases from companies. And they get in super hype mode anytime a product is released. Today they had a story about Amazon's "quest" to dominate the living room. After Facebook acquired Oculos, up they went with a Planet Facebook feature. A couple weeks ago there were at least 4 articles hyping Android Wear. I kind of prefer Ars Technica because they don't get involved in hype and don't seem to have much of a bias.
Windows is only free on products with screens 9" and under. That rules out the Surface tablets so they were doing nothing but BS'ing people. That "Free" Windows was meant for their smartphones.
Windows Phone 8.1 is going to fix a ton of stuff that I dislike about my Lumia 520 -- a lot of features I'm used to on my iPad.
Well, I'll be getting an iphone 4 before 8.1 comes out, but at least since my mother is getting this Lumia she'll get to enjoy the features.
WP8 has come a ways. Long ways to go though!
Well, I'll be getting an iphone 4 before 8.1 comes out, but at least since my mother is getting this Lumia she'll get to enjoy the features.
WP8 has come a ways. Long ways to go though!
You want to prevent everyone from using Siri, just because you don't like it? Oy, I can't imaging the people who are working under your management.
ORIGINAL??? What was original? Cortana? Exactly because Google and Apple certainly don't have a voice personal assistant.
The pull down control panel? Exactly because Google and Apple don't offer a feature like this either.
Would that period be called "Ballmer" by any chance? It could explain some of his wilder moments on stage.
ORIGINAL??? What was original? Cortana? Exactly because Google and Apple certainly don't have a voice personal assistant.
The pull down control panel? Exactly because Google and Apple don't offer a feature like this either.
I am talking about the Windows Mobile OS in general, not the nitty gritty details of each. The fact taht unlike Android, they did not copy the icon grid. I specifically mention tiles in my post you quoted.
A voice assistant is a must in today's mobile operating OS, and from what I see, they went about it differently.
There is a difference between function and design.