The class action firm of Robbins Geller, representing some client or other, is demanding damages from Apple on behalf of a class of people disappointed by the iPhone 4S voice-activated assistant, Siri. Reviewers have complained that the program often fails to comprehend users’ speech, returns illogical answers, and when asked “Play some Coltrane,” has been known to respond that it doesn’t know any “coal train.” [Mat Honan, Gizmodo; Jason Gilbert/Huffington Post] “When asked her whether her makers exaggerated her worth, Siri told Law Blog, ‘We were talking about you, not me.’” [Joe Palazzolo/WSJ Law Blog]
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Frank M. Fazio, who bought his 4S in Brooklyn in November, is part of purported class of people who feel suckered.
Does he really expect Siri to understand Brooklynese?
Everything is amazing and nobody’s happy. Somebody ought to do a rant about that!
Similar to the iPhone 4’s antenna class action lawsuit, which did indeed lead to a class settlement, despite the wild popularity of that phone.
Apple knows a product is a hit when the first class action lawsuit complaining about it is filed.
Apple has, by last count, 90 gazillion dollars. Apple should try it. The chances of a jury verdict against them is (coincidentally) 90 gazillion to 1. This would send a message to lawyers who bring these claims. Settling them even for small amounts sends the wrong message.
Someone did do a rather fine rant, Cloudesley, if you can understand a Scottish accent.
I’ve worked with computing equipment for the last 30 years and I’ve seen a lot of voice recognition programs crash and burn when presented with accented voices. I prefer that the machinery I work with not talk back to me.