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iPhone users across the world have the convenience of using Siri. From asking for additional information about a random project to helping to identify who sings a song you may have overheard at brunch; the digital assistant is there to provide the answers. With Siri being a core feature on all Apple products, its functionality is paramount to all users. However, did anyone ever conceptualize human attributes to Siri? Is it a Black person? Does the digital assistant identify with a gender?
Apr 30, 2022
If you’ve ever called out to Siri, Alexa, or Google and got a response from the device you were using, you’re talking to a microphone designed by Dr. James E. West and his colleague Gerhard Sessler. West is an inventor and professor who helped create the Electret Microphone, an invention that accounts for 90 percent of all microphones producing clear and crisp sound today, according to Biography.com. He was born on Feb. 10, 1931, in Farmville, VA. West received his bachelor’s degree from Temple University in 1957 and soon after graduating, was employed by Bell Laboratories. While working at Bell, he teamed up with fellow scientist, Gerhard Sessler and the duo created a device that eliminated the need for an external power source to convert sound into an electrical signal. By 1968, the electret microphone was the industry standard. West used the momentum from his professional success at Bell Labs to lead minority internship and hiring initiatives. According to U.S. News, he also...
Feb 3, 2021
Tech is proving to be savvier for consumers these days, especially as it relates to any encounters with law enforcement. In light of the ongoing protests and incidents with police officers, CNN reported that a popular iPhone shortcut will now auto-record any interactions you may have with the police. Apparently iphones have a police shortcut link and it does a bunch of things when you tell Siri you're pulled over…? This is REALLY important if it's legit, all my iphone ppl need to watch this and share. pic.twitter.com/Dp7E3Uj2So — DesiBae aka Big Horchata (@sarcasticstyle) June 10, 2020 The shortcut, created by Reddit user Robert Peterson , will send a message with your location to a friend or family member and automatically start recording a video with the simple command, “Hey Siri, I’m getting pulled over,” CNET reports . In 2018, Peterson told Business Insider the purpose of the app was to mimic the same functions of body cams stating, “It seemed to me that if you’re getting...
Jun 22, 2020
Many folks in the black community have to resort to making sure they have their receipts when it comes to interactions with police officers. There’s a reason why we even know the names Michael Brown or Philando Castile: recording devices. You can tell Siri to remind you of an event or even when you want to be awakened. Imagine being able to tell it to record your interaction with law enforcement. Thanks to a modification to the app Shortcuts, iPhone users can now do just that. The app allows one’s smartphone to perform an array of tasks through voice command. Robert Petersen invented a Shortcuts add-on called Police , which triggers recording for police encounters, WTVR reports. Siri can now record police interactions when you get pulled over pic.twitter.com/vHeSpvxh9u — NowThis (@nowthisnews) October 6, 2018 As soon as you’re pulled over, you can say, “Siri, I’m getting pulled over,” which will activate the app. It will discreetly send your location to a designated contact,...
Oct 10, 2018