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Farewell, Cortana

gizmodo.com

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Re: Farewell, Cortana

#11

Post by TheRealWatson »

kgwxd wrote: post #3
js4ever wrote: post #2

I don't know a single person using Cortana, so it's not a surprise I guess. At least the push to use it in Windows will finally go away... A bit too late I have migrated to Ubuntu earlier this year... Puting an end to 20 years of Windows on my computer. Farewell Microsoft.

Does anyone use any voice assistant anywhere? Other than people trying it out for the first time, I've literally never seen it in the wild.

This is clearly the worst crowd possible, except maybe people with speech disabilities, to ask this question. Just look at how many people don't like it.

I really can't make myself talk to a machine. I even abhor the phone answering services that insist that I speak instead of punching numbers. I my household the only person that interacts with the Echo/Alexa is our 3 year-old daughter. She finds it funny.

On the other hand, the voice assistant devices are selling like crazy, so people are interested in them.

Re: Farewell, Cortana

#12

Post by gumby »

kgwxd wrote: post #3
js4ever wrote: post #2

I don't know a single person using Cortana, so it's not a surprise I guess. At least the push to use it in Windows will finally go away... A bit too late I have migrated to Ubuntu earlier this year... Puting an end to 20 years of Windows on my computer. Farewell Microsoft.

Does anyone use any voice assistant anywhere? Other than people trying it out for the first time, I've literally never seen it in the wild.

I use Siri for timers and alarms; ask for the weather, and for, sending text messages and calling when I'm on the go. My GF has been a heavy user of voice transcription on her phone, but when she got an Apple Watch she really ramped it up. It is a pretty good way to use the watch, especially if your AirPods are connected to it.

Re: Farewell, Cortana

#13

Post by mistersquid »

Splognosticus wrote: post #9
kgwxd wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Does anyone use any voice assistant anywhere? Other than people trying it out for the first time, I've literally never seen it in the wild.

I use Siri to set alarms and timers since that's far and away more convenient than opening the app and switching to the right tab and futzing with the time dial. If I've got my phone in my pocket and my hands full it's helpful to be able to tell Siri to turn the flashlight on. Aside from that I don't think I've used it for much. I get the weather from the radio already, and don't care to search the web with a voice a…

> It'd be nice if she'd read me my text messages but she flatly refuses to do that.

Siri is integrated with AirPods Pro and will read your text messages to you as they come in. It’s pretty great.

But what really excites me about voice assistance and voice assistive technology is the advent of Voice Control in iOS 13. Voice Control allows me to manipulate my iPad, for example, while using both hands to eat dinner or wash dishes etc. My screen doesn’t get greasy and I can scroll and tap links using my voice.

The on device dictation ability is also first-rate. For example, I’ve used dictation to generate the majority of this comment.

Re: Farewell, Cortana

#14

Post by nytesky »

kgwxd wrote: post #3
js4ever wrote: post #2

I don't know a single person using Cortana, so it's not a surprise I guess. At least the push to use it in Windows will finally go away... A bit too late I have migrated to Ubuntu earlier this year... Puting an end to 20 years of Windows on my computer. Farewell Microsoft.

Does anyone use any voice assistant anywhere? Other than people trying it out for the first time, I've literally never seen it in the wild.

Now, I will establish my HN cred by saying I prefer CLI and Unix, would read my mail in PINE if I could, and run everything from Linux to Windows to MacOS in the house.

But I use Siri all the time. Perhaps because I desperately miss a keyboard? But asking Siri to play a particular song, call a particular person, give me directions, and turn on the flashlight? All are way faster than navigating the touch interface.

And dictation is the best way for me to message while on the move; I’m old so typing a flat keyboard while walking is a foolish idea.

That said, accuracy is terrible. So many times I have wrong song. I don’t understand why Alexa doesn’t learn that the song I have asked for dozens of times is the right one, not the weird house version that sneaks in.

I probably should investigate iOS shortcuts, that may tip me back to the touch screen.

Re: Farewell, Cortana

#15

Post by seanmcdirmid »

kgwxd wrote: post #3
js4ever wrote: post #2

I don't know a single person using Cortana, so it's not a surprise I guess. At least the push to use it in Windows will finally go away... A bit too late I have migrated to Ubuntu earlier this year... Puting an end to 20 years of Windows on my computer. Farewell Microsoft.

Does anyone use any voice assistant anywhere? Other than people trying it out for the first time, I've literally never seen it in the wild.

I use Alexa to get the echo dot to play random toddler songs and songs like them. It’s actually really useful for that in the living room. Unfortunately, my toddler’s first complete sentences were “Alexa, play baby shark/space unicorn/cat flushing toilet”.

Re: Farewell, Cortana

#16

Post by athenot »

kgwxd wrote: post #3
js4ever wrote: post #2

I don't know a single person using Cortana, so it's not a surprise I guess. At least the push to use it in Windows will finally go away... A bit too late I have migrated to Ubuntu earlier this year... Puting an end to 20 years of Windows on my computer. Farewell Microsoft.

Does anyone use any voice assistant anywhere? Other than people trying it out for the first time, I've literally never seen it in the wild.

I don't use many Siri commands but a few come in handy:

- "add milk to grocery list" — I have a reminder list called "Grocery" to make that happen. Makes it easy to add stuff as I realize I'm running low, then I can check it off in the Reminders app.

- "create appointment next {day} at {time} {title}" — I never use that one when I'm next to my computer, but when I'm around the house or after a doctor visit, it's usually accurate.

- "what time is it" — no I don't wear a watch. But when I'm hiking and I'm too lazy to pull my phone out, this comes in handy as it works though most pockets.

- "send text message to {person}", "call {person}" — when driving, that's a pretty seamless way to convey quick messages without touching the phone.

- "get directions to {place}" — I only use that for locations I know the phone will understand, like favorites or business names that are not ambiguous.

Re: Farewell, Cortana

#17

Post by kyriakos »

kgwxd wrote: post #3
js4ever wrote: post #2

I don't know a single person using Cortana, so it's not a surprise I guess. At least the push to use it in Windows will finally go away... A bit too late I have migrated to Ubuntu earlier this year... Puting an end to 20 years of Windows on my computer. Farewell Microsoft.

Does anyone use any voice assistant anywhere? Other than people trying it out for the first time, I've literally never seen it in the wild.

I regularly use Google assessment on android to add stuff to my shopping list. It's very convenient especially while cooking when my hands are occupied, as soon as I notice something running out I just ask Google to add it.

Re: Farewell, Cortana

#18

Post by mav3rick »

kgwxd wrote: post #3
js4ever wrote: post #2

I don't know a single person using Cortana, so it's not a surprise I guess. At least the push to use it in Windows will finally go away... A bit too late I have migrated to Ubuntu earlier this year... Puting an end to 20 years of Windows on my computer. Farewell Microsoft.

Does anyone use any voice assistant anywhere? Other than people trying it out for the first time, I've literally never seen it in the wild.

Your friend circle is clearly not diverse. Most people use these to play music, lights on / off and alarms.

Re: Farewell, Cortana

#19

Post by mixmastamyk »

mistersquid wrote: post #13
Splognosticus wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I use Siri to set alarms and timers since that's far and away more convenient than opening the app and switching to the right tab and futzing with the time dial. If I've got my phone in my pocket and my hands full it's helpful to be able to tell Siri to turn the flashlight on. Aside from that I don't think I've used it for much. I get the weather from the radio already, and don't care to search the web with a voice a…

> It'd be nice if she'd read me my text messages but she flatly refuses to do that. Siri is integrated with AirPods Pro and will read your text messages to you as they come in. It’s pretty great. But what really excites me about voice assistance and voice assistive technology is the advent of Voice Control in iOS 13. Voice Control allows me to manipulate my iPad, for example, while using both hands to eat dinner or w…

Interesting, I’ve never felt the urge to use an iPad during dinner or dishes.

Re: Farewell, Cortana

#20

Post by kpU8efre7r »

kgwxd wrote: post #3
js4ever wrote: post #2

I don't know a single person using Cortana, so it's not a surprise I guess. At least the push to use it in Windows will finally go away... A bit too late I have migrated to Ubuntu earlier this year... Puting an end to 20 years of Windows on my computer. Farewell Microsoft.

Does anyone use any voice assistant anywhere? Other than people trying it out for the first time, I've literally never seen it in the wild.

I use Google assistant daily for adding things to shopping list, simple trivia, weather, etc.
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