Siri is Apple’s new voice activated digital assistant which will do just about anything you need it do and advise you along the way.  It’s a truly remarkable software application.  How SIRI differs from any other voice dictation app is that you don’t have to learn a new vocabulary or way of speaking for it to understand what you want.  You just talk to it.  And that is its genius. Originally, SIRI had its origins in the ultra secretive world of the Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency (DARPA), which had invested millions to create what it called a “enduring personalized cognitive assistant.”   A few years into it, SIRI released a Siri App in the iTunes store.  But Apple was so impressed with its interactivity that they bought the company two months later and decided to incorporate SIRI into IOS 5.

So the following are 25 of the mind blowing things that Siri will do to make your life easier.

1. Set Reminders

Working in concert with the iOS 5 reminders app, users can tell SIRI to remind them of something and the software will automatically create a reminder.   It’ll then give you both a pop up reminder in Notification Center and let you know via Audio.

2.  Schedule an Appointment

You can tell SIRI to set an appointment on your calendar.  And here’s the killer part … if it sees you have a conflict, it’ll let you know and offer alternative times and dates.  I love that.  In fact, SIRI goes even further.  You can ask SIRI what your day looks like and SIRI will read your calendar to you.

3. Let’s eat

Ask Siri for a restaurant recommendation and it’ll go out and not only grab listings for every restaurant in your area but it will query you until it knows what kind of food you want.   Then it will organize results according to what’s closest and read them off to you if you need to be hands free.  SIRI can even book a reservation at the restaurant you choose.    But not only restaurants, just about anything you want to find.

4. Send an email

You’re running and you need to fire off and email to the staff, tell SIRI you need to send and email and you can dictate the text and tell SIRI to send it out to the staff.

5. Send a text

You’re going to be late because of traffic and you don’t want to get a ticket for picking up your cell and calling home.  Tell SIRI to text your wife to tell her you’re going to be late and she fires one off to you and reads back any replies.  Genius.

6.  Weather reports

Ask SIRI for the weather report and she comes back with a five day forecast for any city you want.  She’ll even remind you to bring your sunglasses.  And you don’t even need to ask for the report.  Just ask if it’ll be hot tomorrow and SIRI will come back with “Not too hot, bring your sweater” or something similar.  It’s all very conversational.

7.  What’s the 411

Need to look up a phone number?  Just ask SIRI what “Dave’s” phone number is and she’ll not only look it up, she’ll offer to connect you right there.

8. Wake you up

SIRI can set your alarm and wake you up in the morning.

9.  Doin’ the math

Need to figure out how many pints in a quart?  Need the square root of 2314? Want to know  Ask SIRI and she’ll query Wolfram Alpha for the result.

10. Tells you where to go

If you need directions, ask SIRI.  She’ll pop up a Google Map with directions and alternate routes on how to get there.

11. Rock out

Tap the mic and tell SIRI to play your favorite song.  You’ll hear it immediately.

12.  Take a letter

Tap the mic and SIRI can take dictation for notes, emails, tweets, greeting cards.  Just about anything.  And when you tape done, you’ll see text that is surprisingly accurate.

13.  Tell me a story

Ask SIRI to read your email to you, SIRI grabs them in order, or pull out specific emails from people you know and read them, asking if you’d like to reply along the way.

14.  Taking Stock

It can’t buy and sell (yet) but Siri will grab any stock quotes and keep you in the loop on how they’re doing.

15.  Only Time Will Tell

What time is it SIRI?  Need I say  more?  OK, I will.  Siri will time your run, giving you lap times as well.  And Siri will count down until you need to take that roast out of the oven.

16.  Facetime

Tell SIRI you want to call someone by name via FaceTime and she’ll open up Facetime and find the person you want to talk to.

17. What’s in a name?

Siri knows contacts and so you can ask SIRI about anyone in your contacts, even if it’s just by their first name and SIRI will know who you’re talking about and give you any information you need.

18. Finders keepers

If you need to do a web search, SIRI will query both WikiPedia and Wolfram Alpha to give you the answer you need.  Or you can just ask SIRI to search for something online and she’ll use Google and even BING to get the information you need.

19. Stop and Go

You can ask SIRI what the traffic is like and SIRI will check traffic conditions in your area looking for a better route.

20. Heads up

SIRI will also use Notification Center to let you know when there’s emails from people or appointments and reminders.

21. Easy Access

SIRI is a godsend for accessibility with the iPhone.  SIRI will read everything back to you if you have trouble reading a screen.  Especially if you’re sending an email and SIRI will make sure you have said all you want to say by reading it back and then asking you if you want to send.

22. Coming soon to a theater near you

Ask SIRI when the next “Transformers” movie will start and she’ll go get movie times for you.  I don’t think she can buy tickets for you … YET … but it’s only a matter of time before third party apps take advantage of SIRIs powerful capability.

23.  Rockin’ Robin

You want to post a TWEET on Twitter?  Just tell SIRI to TWEET and dictate your 140 characters.  SIRI will read it back to you and then ask if you want to post it.

24.  The Natives are restless

SIRI works seemlessly with all native iPhone 4S applications.  So SIRI can utilize the notification center, calendar and contacts, email, Twitter, just about any native App that the iPhone enjoys.  And you can get as time goes on, third party developers will want to get some of SIRIs attention as well.

25.  Cloudy

SIRI can sync anything she does for you to the cloud and push them down to all your iOS devices.  So any appointments you set on the iPhone will show up on your MAC calendar or your iPad as soon as they’re set.

Unfortunately, SIRI won’t be available as part of the stock iOS 5 update to all phones.  She’s exclusive to the iPhone 4S.  Initially, we thought this was likely due to SIRI needing the additional power of the 4S A5 processor.  But then we remembered that SIRI was an app before Apple joined the show and Apple has sent emails out to all current SIRI users that effective October 15th, they will no longer have access to SIRI unless they upgrade.   But hey, that’s not a bad thing.  If your contract is up and if you want to change carriers, you can get the iPhone 4S through AT&T, Verizon and now Sprint.  So that’s not a bad thing.

Tomorrow, Apple will unveil the next iPhone, presumably the iPhone 4GS or iPhone 5.  Not only will it be faster and have an upgraded camera, but it will be powered by iOS 5.  Here are the top 30 new and improved features that users are going to love.

1. Wireless Sync and activation

Literally right out of the box, new iOS devices will be able to activate without a PC with wireless activation.  That’s something that Apple customers have been screaming for as some don’t want a computer, they just want an iPad.  This new feature fills that need.  And iOS devices don’t have to sync through a USB connection to iTunes.  Using a WiFi connection, users can backup to iCloud, as well as sync to iTunes on their PC.  And with new over the air (OTA) updating, users won’t have to sync to iTunes to get the latest iOS updates, something Android users have enjoyed since day one.  And any time you plug your iPhone into an AC outlet to charge, the iPhone will automatically sync to the Cloud via WiFi and look for a software upgrade.

2. Notification Center

The next new feature is another that isn’t really new to Android users, but that iOS 5 does quite elegantly … it’s the new Notification Center.  When users receive a message, whether text or email, iOS 5 will drop down a notification bar in the upper edge of the screen without kicking users out of the app they’re using at the moment.  Users can then swipe down to pull down the bar for more details. If there’s multiple messages, users can simply swipe to reply to messages.  For messages that come in when the iOS device isn’t being used, the Notification Center has lock screen notification, and a simple swipe will reveal and swipe to reply.

3. Greater Accessibility

This is so high on the list because Apple has always made accessibility to iOS a priority.  And these tweaks really help those who are hard of hearing or blind to further use their devices.  Features include LED Flash and vibration activation for incoming calls, improved voiceover support, a hearing aid mode for altering voice and voiceover, and custom gestures to perform key tasks.  Other improvements include a  larger text option, New speak selection, New assistive touch settings, and the ability to Set Mono Audio left or right.

4. Twitter Integration

With iOS 5, Twitter comes built in.  All users need to do is go into settings, select to install the official Twitter app and sign in.  New users can register within iOS 5 without having to launch the browser and go to Twitter to sign up. Once installed and activated, users will find Tweet options in several places from the Safari browser, the camera app, maps, and contact information where Twitter handles can be added.  Additionally, the keyboard has been redesigned for more prominent #(hash-tag) and @ (mention) keys.  Location services can also be added to any Tweet, making Tweet ups easier to create.

5. Greater phone support

You remember that the iPhone is actually a PHONE right?  It can make and receive calls!  That’s what my wife likes to joke about.  Well with iOS 5, users have greater phone support including deleting of individual phone calls with a wipe, unsecured call warnings, location notifications for calls not in contacts, and users can now edit their phone number in settings.

6. Enhanced email features

With iOS 5, users can now add a little more flair to their emails with rich text editing of italics, bold, underline, and even indenting.  And to make addressing an email even easier, users can now drag email addresses to address fields.  Email also will have the ability to organize messages easier with the addition of custom folders. And users can now select & mark multiple emails as read.

7. Enhanced contact features

iOS 5 brings a few extra fields for contact management.  Users can now add family relations, as well as social media links

8. iMessage between iOS devices

Users can also send unlimited messages directly to users of other iOS devices with iMessage.  iMessage allows you to send pictures, video, text messages, group messages, and contacts to any other iOS device – iPhones, iPads, and the iPod Touch.  Users can set up to receive delivery notification and receipts.  iMessage works on both 3G and WiFi, and messages are encrypted.  And just for fun, users can now use animated GIF images in iMessage (only).

9. Airplay wireless mirroring

Airplay mirroring comes to iOS 5, allowing users to use their iOS device through AppleTV on their TV set.  Suddenly, that iPhone or iPad screen is 50″, making it ideal for meetings or even game play.  And the image will also rotate on the TV as it does on the iOS device as you alter it.

10. Enhanced camera control

Users have been screaming for this feature and now they have it.  In iOS 5, users will be able to take capture those instant moments with a Lockscreen camera control, meaning that they don’t have to go into the camera app to snap a picture.  Additionally, users can use the up volume button to snap photo.  And users have greater control over what the iPhone focuses on with one tap auto focus.  In camera editing features are also added including with red eye reduction, rotating, and cropping.   Users can also organize their photos in camera roll with the addition of albums. And here’s a great additional option – users can use their iPhone earbuds as a remote trigger by using the Volume UP button.

11. Photostream

Through Photostream, users can now automatically upload images and videos to the Cloud and directly to all iOS devices and their Desktop PCs.   Additionally, iCloud stores every photo for 30 days and every iOS device will store the last 1000 snapshots.  Your Desktop, however, can store them all.

12. Improved Facetime features

Apple has also finally freed Facetime from the confines of WiFi.  Users can now video conference over 3G.  And they don’t need a SIM to initiate a call either as calls can be made via phone number or email address.  And what could be better?  How about airplay support?  Facetime now enjoys airplay mirroring for video conferencing over your TV set through AppleTV.  And video quality is improved.

13. iCloud

Here’s the biggie.  Users can take advantage of the Cloud with wireless backup and restore.  Users can also schedule daily over the air backup or disable iCloud syn via 3G to save bandwidth.   As previously mentioned, iOS 5 will also automatically sync and backup to iCloud every time users plug in their phone to recharge and look for updates.   Images, videos and files are also backed up to the Cloud and synced down to other iOS devices as well as your PC via iTunes.  And speaking of iTunes, users have the option of a free 256kb upgrade of songs if backing up to iCloud, with any apps or music purchased not counting towards their monthly cap.  Users get 5GB free, with additional storage options ranging from $20-100 annually.  And  Find My iPhone is also available as a part of iCloud integration with an option to disable it.

14. Calendar enhancements

Calendars become more useful with a tap to add event option, tap and drag to adjust time and duration of an event, swipe left or right to view a different day, and viewing of event attachments.

15. Location based Task manager

iOS 5 makes people more productive now with the Reminder Task Manager.   Tasks can be created and checked off, as well as syncd w/ iCal and Outlook.  Reminders can also be location based, meaning when your iOS device sees where you’re in the vicinity of a task, it’ll remind you to do it. reminders. Reminders — Instead of taking notes on your iPhone’s notepad app or putting a reminder in your calendar, you can now use Reminders in iOS to create a digital to-do list right on your iPhone. The geo-location abilities will trigger surrounding events for you to choose from.

16. Storage usage and clean-up

Here’s a nice feature for housekeeping of your iOS device.  iOS 5 brings Storage Usage Clean Up so that we not only see what files have taken up space but also the option to empty that space of Apps, Game saved data, Music, Videos etc. with single wipe.

17. The Assistant

iOS 5 brings a Voice activated assistant feature.   With a long press of the home button, your iOS device will interact and respond to voice commands. Users will be able to drive hands free and tell the phone to send email, texts, get maps, tweet, and even make phone calls.  Based on the popular Siri app, which Apple recently purchased.

18. Split keyboard for iPad

If you’ve ever used an iPad, you know how hard it is to thumb type.  So iOS 5 adds a split keyboard option to make it easier to type in portrait mode.

19. Video and music now separate apps

With iOS 5, the iPod app is retired in exchange for separate video and music apps.  Seems kind of odd, but it was actually done with the iPod Touch, so this change makes it consistent across all iOS platforms.  Users can also move between tracks with a swipe to the left or right (iPad only) and a slide will delete a song right away.

20. Custom Tones

To make the iOS experience more personal, users can now add custom tones for Calendar events, send/receive mail, voice mail, week view on calendar, year view on calendar (iPad) and more.  And of course, that means a new TONES App store!

21. Dictionary

Not an earth shattering feature, but it’s nice that dictionary has been added and is available in every app.

22. News stand subscriptions

Available through iBooks, users can now subscribe to magazines and newspapers.  Searching by popularity of subscriptions is also a plus.

23. Cellular Network for App Store

If users want to be stingy with their bandwidth and only download apps over WiFi, they now have the option to Enable or Disable App Store downloads via GPRS and 3G.

24. Faster Safari

Safari has become streamlined and is faster to load.  Users can also save web pages in reader mode which eliminates all ads to make them easier to read.  They can also be saved off line to read later.  And in the iPad, Safari also offers Tabbed Browsing support.

25. Alternate Routes in Google Maps

Ever frustrated when Maps gives you a route that’s longer or goes out of the way?  In iOS 5, users can choose alternate routes that are more to their liking.  For those who prefer things old school, users can now print directions from their iOS device.

26. HD YouTube

Users now have the option to stream HD/HQ videos through YouTube over 3G.  For those concerned about bandwidth, the ability to disable HQ video playback is also available in settings.  Nice.

27. Disable In-app Purchases

As a dad, I really appreciate this option.  With iOS 5, users now have the option of disabling in-app purchases.  No longer will I have to pay for things I didn’t want to buy because the purchase was done in-app without our knowledge or consent.

28. Game Center Enhancements

By contrast, Game Center now allows in app purchases of games.  Users can also further personalize their account with photos, and decide if your profile is private or public.

29. Weather updates

The iOS weather app becomes more useful with hourly updates, local weather, and the ability to swipe the weather widget in Notification Center to see a 5 day forecast.

30. MultiTasking

Users can now do gesture based multi tasking (iPad only).  With a swipe of 4 fingers, the app switcher appears.  Pinch will return to home screen.  And a swipe left and right to switch between  any actve apps

There are over 200 new features to iOS, and depending on which iOS device you use, some or all are available to enjoy.  But it’s certainly a well thought out and welcome update which will only get better with the addition of the new iPhone!

3D maps are coming to an Android handset near you…and maybe an iPhone.  Yesterday, Google unveiled their all new 3D mapping system.  It displays maps using something called “dynamic rendering”, and it lets Google render maps in real time.  This equates to faster load times, smoother scrolling and yes, a 3D view of buildings that can be viewed and automatically orientated using the phone’s compass as you walk down the street.

Initially, 3D building will be available in 50 cities and does not, we repeat does not combine real pictures as found in Google Streetview.  But we wouldn’t be surprised if they some how integrated the two in the future.

But what makes the Google Maps update really snazzy is its ability to work offline.  In the event that you lose your wireless connection, Google Maps is instructed to locally store your most often used maps, allowing you to still navigate sans Internet connection.  Which when you think about it is a bit flawed, because chances are you’ll need directions more often than not in cities you don’t live, a place where you probably don’t often use your handset.  Nonetheless, perhaps a future feature will be the ability to preload maps as the users discretion, or we can only hope.

The update will supposedly roll out for the Galaxy S, Droid, Droid X, Droid 2, Droid Incredible, EVO 4G, Nexus S, and G2 in a few days, though we haven’t seen any official announcement as of yet.  When and if it will actually arrive for the iPhone is anyone’s guess.  We’re still waiting on free turn-by-turn directions.

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This truly is the future, folks — a car is a getting a free update to its functionality, wirelessly, via Bluetooth. Ford has announced a collaboration with Google called Send To Sync that allows owners of cars with the Ford Sync system to send directions and map data from a Bluetooth phone or laptop to their car’s display, which then reads the directions aloud all GPS-style. The feature is available for existing 2010 and 2011 Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles outfitted with Sync. Best of all, it’s free, and requires no additional hardware.

The Send To Sync features will be available at the end of June.

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Google has updated its Maps application for Android to version 4.1, bringing a slew of improvements, including a new swipe gesture for moving between results, a Latitude widget for the Android’s home screen, a redesigned results page, and support for multiple Google accounts. In addition, a live updated wallpaper of your current location can now be displayed using the phone’s GPS. That should be a big plus to a lot of users.

You’ll need Android 1.6 to run the app, which is available now.

[via Engadget]

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So…how does the thought of computerized contact lenses strike you?

You’re a tougher soul than I am if that didn’t make you blink, but if engineer Babak Parviz has his way, we’ll all be wearing them soon enough, mostly because we’ll WANT to wear them.

Parviz’s incredible contact lenses will provide what’s known as augmented reality, in which “guides” will appear in front of you to tell you where to find things.  Think of it as having Google Maps with you whereever you go, even when you left your Blackberry at home.  It might tell you where you are, where you are in relation to where you want to be, where you SHOULD want to be, and so on from there.

Naturally, a computer that does all this will need a power supply, and they’re working on that too–specifically, solar power or RF power harvesting–though the first time someone suggests bio-electricity, I’m running for the hills.  The thought that my brain energy could power a computer floating on my pupil actually scares me green, and me a sci-fi buff.

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