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Infographic: Siri and Google Now—Your New Wingman?

With the advent of Apple's Siri and the new Google Now, anyone with a smartphone has a wingman.

By Stephanie Mlot
January 18, 2013
SIRI = Steve Is Really Inside

Personal assistants were once relegated to top executives and celebrities. But with the advent of technology like Apple's Siri and Google Now, anyone with a smartphone now has a wingman.

Nuance, which in August introduced its own mobile customer service app, Nina, took a closer look at what digital assistants can really do.

According to the company, 75 percent of people keep their mobile device "always on them" or at least handy, ready at any second to ask their phone for directions, movie times, or a Web search of imaginary girlfriends.

Of those people, 57 percent use their personal assistant at least once a day, while 87 percent put it to use once a week.

Just how personal do people get with their smartphone secretary, though? Nuance reported that 66 percent of men admitted that they would name their mobile personal assistant, which isn't surprising based on the 57 percent of guys who said they have a personal connection with that voice.

Meanwhile, 71 percent of women said they are inclined to name their device's digital assistant, and are more likely to use the feature for texting and social media than their male counterparts.

The hands-free aspect of the tool is most important to men (57 percent), while woman find that it helps to save time (62 percent) and multitask (55 percent).

Eighty-one percent of smartphone users find their mobile personal assistant so helpful, that they'd like to integrate it into other technology. No longer is it enough to get directions (76 percent), send a text (75 percent), or search the Web (63 percent). Nuance reported that 80 percent of users want their digital secretary to travel across all devices, including PCs, TV, cars, and even cameras.

While those features aren't available just yet, Apple is prepping to upgrade its Siri app, based on a new job posting. Last week, Cupertino published a job posting for a "Siri Writer/Editor," looking for someone who will "refresh and refine existing Siri dialog," among other things.

For more, see Nuance's full infographic below.

For more from Stephanie, follow her on Twitter @smlotPCMag.

Infographic: The Wingman Goes Digital with Mobile Personal Assistants

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About Stephanie Mlot

Contributor

Stephanie Mlot

B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations with minor in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)

Reporter at The Frederick News-Post (2008-2012)

Reporter for PCMag and Geek.com (RIP) (2012-present)

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