New Delhi: Apple is releasing the latest version of its iOS operating system, the iOS 5, on Wednesday. The iOS 5 includes over 200 new features including Notification Center, an innovative way to easily view and manage notifications in one place without interruption and iMessage, a new messaging service that lets you easily send text messages, photos and videos between all iOS 5 users.
iOS 5 will also be available as a free software update for iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS customers. The coolest new feature in iOS5 is Siri, a software-based personal assistant who responds to your voice in a somewhat robotic, yet soothing female tone.
Siri understands context allowing you to speak naturally when you ask it questions, for example, if you ask "Will I need an umbrella this weekend?" it understands you are looking for a weather forecast. Siri is also smart about using the personal information you allow it to access, for example, if you tell Siri "Remind me to call Mom when I get home" it can find "Mom" in your address book, or ask Siri "What's the traffic like around here?" and it can figure out where "here" is based on your current location.
Siri helps you make calls, send text messages or email, schedule meetings and reminders, make notes, search the Internet, find local businesses, get directions and more. You can also get answers, find facts and even perform complex calculations just by asking.
It responds to spoken questions and commands such as "Do I need an umbrella today?" It's an advanced version of speech-recognition apps found on other phones.
Siri can do all sorts of things, from setting your alarm clock to finding a good local sushi joint to playing DJ with your music. She can't bring up specific websites, but she can search the Web for pretty much anything.
Once you let her know who you are and where you live, she can even do complex tasks such as reminding you to call your boyfriend/girlfriend when you leave your house.
She can understand conversational English, though you may have to have to enunciate well. This means you can say things like, "what's happening today?" or "what's going on today?" and she'll let you know what's on your calendar.
She's also a dictation dynamo, transcribing emails and texts much better than a phone running Google Inc.'s Android software. It would be awesome if she could intelligently insert punctuation marks, but she does get them if you tell her "period" or "exclamation point." Siri didn't always get all the words correct, but she overwhelmingly beats the competition.
Note for foul-language fans: Siri understands profanities, but she may chastise you.
(With inputs from Associated Press)
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