Emotional attachment to Siri

There is a quite logical explanation for this. Over the years our phones grew from a useful communication tool to an entity that is an icon of who we are. With its contacts, messages, photos, high scores, likes and dislikes it is the embodiment of our social and emotional life. Imagine a situation where you accidently swapped your phone with somebody else?s. You would either be very curious to take a look inside this person?s life or you would feel awkward knowing that you can. Possibly both. Even more so, you would likely feel very uncomfortable knowing that this other person has this embodiment of your life in their hands. Not because it contains a list of phone numbers that could also be found in a phone book, but because it is such a personal part of your life that you might not even be comfortable sharing it with others. All these emotions prove that there is in fact something more going on than having a convenient tool to stay in touch with others.
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With the iPhone 4S, Apple introduced Siri to the world, the intelligent voice recognition assistant. And though the technology might not be entirely new, as with other Apple introductions, it is the first time that this technology will be put to use by the masses. I don?t really want to get into the discussion on whether or not Siri will deliver on its expectations (Paul Miller wrote a great editorial about this), but there?s a big chance that (eventually) this form of interaction with our phone will happen on a big scale. Especially now that Apple put its money on it. The technology will evolve and it won?t be long before you have comfortable conversations with your phone without choosing your words carefully to make it understand you. Interaction will go fluently and you?ll be able to personalize your assistant by choosing your own name for it and downloading custom voice packs (better start working on that Mr. T synth).
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What is that biggest infidelity clich? again? Right. The boss and his secretary. Let?s just say that when two people spend a lot of time together and know intimate details about each other, a certain bond develops. There is, hopefully, no sexual power play going on between you and your phone but you might get my point. Siri might become the one that you talk to most consistently throughout the day. The one that knows all your likes and dislikes, the one that knows your favorite restaurant, where you?ve been and where you are, the one that is always with you and the one that wishes you a good night every evening when you tell it to set your alarm. (And let?s not forget: it never argues with you and always has your best interest at heart). I?m very carefully referring to Siri as ?it? here but in many reviews, podcasts and YouTube demos I have already heard many say: ?she uses information from...? or ?she seems to respond best by??, etc.
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