Will the iPhone Really be the Next Personal Assistant?

A recent blog posted by the New York Times Bits section touted a new software application for Apple’s iPhone that could very well be technology’s answer to the idea of a personal assistant. The idea of bigger is better, however, does not quite apply to this concept, as the Siri program, as it is called, is tailor made to fit on an iPhone. This is by no means a novel concept, but one that has been long waiting to evolve to the point of full utility. And most speculators agree that Siri is the very program to finally bring the digital personal assistant concept to fruition.

Consumers are probably asking themselves what sets Siri apart from the programs of this variety that have risen and fallen before. The answer to this question is that Siri uses advanced voice recognition and GPS software to take iPhone users to the next level. By simply speaking a command into the iPhone, the Siri voice recognition understands the voice and begins an advanced search using GPS software. So if the iPhone user asks for a dry cleaner in the neighborhood, the software will promptly begin looking for one and then wait for further commands, such as call or provide directions.

In many ways, the Siri software is just the next logical step for a device as intuitive as the iPhone. Apple is well known for providing consumers with the most intuitive technological devices, and the iPhone has been no exception to this rule. As so much more than a phone, the iPhone provides users with music playback, email access and full Web browsing capabilities. In many ways, categorizing the iPhone as merely a phone overshadows all that it offers to consumers.

Those who charge that Apple has overpriced the iPhone are likely to fall into the camp that have yet to try the iPhone for themselves. Nearly without exception, iPhone owners agree that the iPhone is the best technological investment that they have ever made. And the wonderful thing about the iPhone is that the majority of optional applications come at very little cost to iPhone owners.

Take Siri, for example, which is available to iPhone users at absolutely no cost. Instead of charging iPhone users a subscription fee, Siri, charges providers of services that it connects iPhone owners to. So when Siri charges the movie theater when it makes a movie reservation, the customer pays nothing. In nearly every way, Siri is a win-win for iPhone owners, in that it can simplify their life and cost them nothing.

The article in the Times predicts good things to come from Siri. While it is presently up and running, we can expect to see continued advances and improvements on this program, as evidenced by the high-powered investors that are already backing Siri. iPhone users looking to get in on something while it is hot should seriously consider installing Siri at no charge to their iPhone.