If People Are Too Embarrassed to Speak to Siri in Public, Why Would They Wear Augmented Reality Glasses Outside?

In the latest example of my "culture trumps technology" rule of thumb, here's the latest striking datapoint:

According to a recent study by Creative Strategies, some 98 percent of iPhone users have used Siri, the virtual assistant baked into every iPhone since the 4s. However, just 3 percent of us are using the feature in public or in front of others.

“With public usage as low as 3% for iPhone users, it seems users are still uncomfortable talking to their devices,” the research firm said in a statement. “Even more fascinating is this happens in the U.S. where consumers are accustomed to talking loudly on phones in public.”

In other words: People are embarrassed to be heard speaking to an AI. This despite the fact that Siri is widely available to a large percentage of the market (i.e. anyone with access to an iPhone), the technology has been available for almost five years, and it comes from Apple, the undisputed master of creating popular, consumer friendly computing devices.

Like I said, this is just the latest example of culture trumping technology, another recent, obvious, apropos example being the death of Google Glass. Speaking of which, I hope everyone in the augmented reality industry is discussing this right now:

Because if even Apple can't get people past the fear of sounding like a geeky fool in public, what makes you think anyone will want to wear your giant-ass, old lady sunglasses?

Siri photo by Brooke Erdmann

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Comments

[metacam oh]

sure if the Augmented device you are wearing makes you look like a fool no one is going to wear it, but if they are like cool sunglasses where no one knows how could you compare to talking out loud to Siri?

[Ezra]

HoloLens isn't built for outside. A lot of it's experiences are dependent upon scanning surroundings (walls, floors, ceilings and furniture) you intend to stay within prior to app use.

Microsoft only demonstrates and describes HoloLens within home and work environments for a reason. Don't lump it with Glass. If you have any interest in being accurate over sensationalist anyway.

[Wagner J Au]

"work environments"

I.E., public access, non-private spaces where people are judged by non-family/friends according to their appearance and behavior, and one of the key social contexts where they most want to appear competent/cool/normative/attractive/etc to others. Watch their latest demo video.

[Ezra]

I watched their latest video. It was about a designer using AR to mock up a design for a store. One of the actual future uses of HoloLens, not stuff like the skydiving and walking around town that Google Glass was built for. It's why I say don't conflate HoloLens with Glass. Microsoft is clearly aiming for home and work.

And no, most people's work environments don't tend to be public access. Public or not, most people are ok with wearing uniforms and different equipment that goes along with their job.

You're trying to shame the hard hat or swim goggles by saying either are silly at a park, party or other places they don't belong. Ok, cool, but makes as much sense as blogging about how silly McDonalds uniforms would be outside of a McDonalds.

The HoloLens is for home and work. It's a tool for productivity and leisure, it's not a fashion statement. Don't conflate it with Siri, don't conflate it with Google Glass. Again though, that is if you're interested in being accurate. If you're shooting for sensationalism and hot takes, yeah sure let's talk about Siri and stuff.

[Adeon Writer]

People are afriad to use siri in public? I never got the memo. I use it all the time. The reaction is always "I had no idea you could do that"

[Adeon Writer]

(of course, I don't say "siri" before my command, it's silly and unnecessary)