‘Siri’ personal assistant spearheads new features of iPhone 4S

Photo by Anthony Vence.

Photo by Anthony Vence.

Evan Graening

#KWiphone4

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Since the release of Apple’s new iPhone 4S, students are beginning to learn about all that the device has to offer.

Along with a faster processor and improved camera, Apple’s iPhone 4S includes integration of the iCloud, which stores and syncs user’s data from their iPhone to their computer automatically.

But the new personal assistant application named Siri has been the focus of much of Apple’s advertising.

Siri, which is completely controlled by the user’s voice, helps to accomplish tasks like making reminders or scheduling appointments.

Kyle Johannes, senior human development and family studies major, does not own an iPhone 4S. However, he has researched the new phone and said the Siri feature can be useful in certain situations, but may pose limitations.

“I did see a video of someone with an Asian accent trying to ask Siri something and she couldn’t understand him and I think that’s silly,” Johannes said. “So it seems kind of cool, but there are a couple of flaws.”

For Johannes, Siri’s ability to answer random questions on the fly is appealing.

“To be able to ask her ‘what is the population of Kansas City?’ and have her answer — that is cool,” Johannes said.

Scott Moore, sophomore computer science major, pre-ordered the iPhone 4S as soon as it was available and said he is happy with his purchase.

“I love it,” Moore said. “There wasn’t a single feature I wanted. I just had to have it.”

Moore said he hasn’t used Siri much early on, but believes it can be useful in certain situations.

“If you are doing math and need to solve a quick math equation, it can be useful,” Moore said. “Or if you are traveling and need to find something close by.”

Moore said his favorite feature of the device is the upgraded camera, but it could be different for each person and how they use it. He said one negative with the new phone is its battery life.

“With my old phone I could use it all day and still have 60 percent of my battery remaining,” Moore said. “With the 4S, I usually have only 30 to 40 percent left at the end of the day.”

Ruby Myles, freshman pre-fashion design/merchandising major, has owned an iPhone 4 for almost two years, but after seeing the newer version, she is ready to upgrade.

“I’m hoping to get the new one,” Myles said. “It’s a little annoying because I’m outdated now. My phone is really slow.“

Myles said that as Apple keeps releasing new models of the iPhone every few months she feels behind the curve and never fully caught up with the new technology.

“I think they should wait to release phones and not do it so often,” Myles said. “If they announced the iPhone 5 next week I’d get that instead.”

Contact Evan Graening at [email protected].