Will Siri put some websites out of business?
By Awinds
@Awinds (2468)
United States
November 1, 2011 1:22am CST
For those who don't know, Apple's 4S iPhone comes with a new feature: Siri. It is basically intelligent voice recognition software that allows one to use his voice for certain tasks on the phone. However there is one aspect with a consequence that no one seems to have thought of yet: the voice activated search.
Siri allows a user to speak a query into it. The software than retrieves related information and displays it for the searcher to read. However it just rips the information from the internet, it does not take the searcher to a website. This in turn deprives the website owner of potential ad clicks or affiliate sales, effectively halting revenue generation. Thus, some websites might go out of business.
Websites like Facebook or Clixsense are not in any danger, since people go there for activities and not information. However dictionary websites and other reference websites might be in trouble. My analysis is hypothetical of course, but plausible.
What do you think? Will Siri put some websites out of business?
2 people like this
5 responses
@ptcamateur (441)
• India
2 Nov 11
Nope, i don't think it would replace any time sooner. Since the technology is new, it wont support all the accents. I guess it would only support native english speakers. And also, the application is restricted to Iphone 4s only which is hardly any percentage compared to total number of internet users. Did Ebooks completely replace Books? We still use hard copies which are more convenient and effective to use. Even if we expect to outshine few websites, the turn around time should take some years. I do accept it is a potential threat in long run but not in near future.
@Awinds (2468)
• United States
2 Nov 11
It seems to be that way with most technology - for example Windows XP is still the most widely used version of Windows, despite several far more modern releases after it. People in general take quite a while to adopt new tech trends sometimes. Software can take even longer to get itself working right. I suppose Siri is just another "day" in the ever changing world of technology. It's impact can't really be gauged.
@katcarneo (1433)
• Philippines
2 Nov 11
When I first saw the iPhone 4s promotional video and learned about Siri, I also thought about the accent problem. I am in the Philippines where many still speak English with the Filipino accent. I also just saw this youtube video about a Japanese guy trying to use Siri but couldn't, because he pronounces words differently.
@celticeagle (168369)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Nov 11
I think that some might be put out of business. But the ones that are well seated and have a good following won't. I think this is a time when these other sites will show themselves. If they have people working for them that are up to the minute in graphics and getting and keeping people's interest then they need to step up now and show themselves.
@katcarneo (1433)
• Philippines
2 Nov 11
I am a huge user of dictionary and reference websites and I don't think Siri can replce them any time soon. It is a technology that although is impressive, is not yet as widely available as the internet is. I for one don't think I'll be buying an iPhone 4s as it is not within my means. And even if I did have an iPhone I think I'd still search for things online than ask my phone to present me with several references and make comparisons and the like. Another thing I normally need to search for in my job are images of various things so I will still keep using search engines and keep looking through various websites. When you're already in front of the computer, it's just easier that way. And lots of us are in front of the computer for long periods a day.
But still, I think having Siri would be fun and I'd have a blast using it.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
2 Nov 11
I do not think the website owners have to worry. It is not that easy to write what you want and the only website you can open is when you get down to specifics. Most people when they want to know something about electricity will not go and say "I meant how electricity flows, not stores that sell electrical equipment.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
7 Nov 11
And sometimes when I want to find out something and I get the idea that I want to big from the comp;ny, I get annoyed.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
2 Nov 11
If it is only via Apple , then many will not get it.And There will still be many like me who do not have access to the web via a phone .
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
5 Nov 11
Good!Let them deal with Hal! I'll stick with my mute Laptop!I'm a PC not a Mac and proud of it!
