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Avoiding Siri

nviz22

nviz22

Cancelled
Original poster
Jun 24, 2013
5,277
3,071
Is there a way I can use the Google Assistant to avoid Siri for basic functions? I have the app installed, but I do not see a hot word I can use to activate it while the screen is off. Siri really annoys me because she misunderstands stuff or she cannot provide accurate info to basic queries.

She told me about JFK when I needed info about a Florida airport.
 
nviz22 said:
Is there a way I can use the Google Assistant to avoid Siri for basic functions? I have the app installed, but I do not see a hot word I can use to activate it while the screen is off. Siri really annoys me because she misunderstands stuff or she cannot provide accurate info to basic queries.

She told me about JFK when I needed info about a Florida airport.
Click to expand...
You cannot, Apple doesn't allow it. The closest thing you can do is use the widget to open the assistant app.
 
Last edited:
nviz22 said:
Is there a way I can use the Google Assistant to avoid Siri for basic functions? I have the app installed, but I do not see a hot word I can use to activate it while the screen is off. Siri really annoys me because she misunderstands stuff or she cannot provide accurate info to basic queries.

She told me about JFK when I needed info about a Florida airport.
Click to expand...
Its a surprise Apple allows Google Assistant at all...

Google Pixel doesnt even allow you to use Siri
 
ZEEN0j said:
Apple doesn't allow anyone to use Siri except for their own products.
Click to expand...
How it should be. Apple is paying the R&D, no other platform should get it for free.

Just like it should be with Google Assistant.
Except googles business plans priority isnt development, its about mining your data lol. have fun :)
 
Sorta off topic, but what good is a widget when I have Google assistant as an icon on my home page?
 
You can disable both Siri and dictation completely from your device using restriction. But there is no way to achieve the same native level as Siri. I agree that Siri is dumb. Shrug.
 
woodynorman said:
Sorta off topic, but what good is a widget when I have Google assistant as an icon on my home page?
Click to expand...
i guess one requires you to unlock your phone first (and look for the app icon if it’s not already the first thing on the screen) and then tap the icon

the other requires you raise to wake, swipe to the widget screen from the lock screen and tap the google assistant widget, then unlock. this method would be more likely to readily available since it’s a swipe away from the lock screen
 
-BigMac- said:
How it should be. Apple is paying the R&D, no other platform should get it for free.

Just like it should be with Google Assistant.
Except googles business plans priority isnt development, its about mining your data lol. have fun :)
Click to expand...
Rofl even if Apple freely allowed use of Siri, nobody would choose it over the far superior assistant
 
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-BigMac- said:
lol weird, me and im sure countless people on here use Siri over a ‘far superior assistant’ everyday of the week on our iOS devices.. whats up with that?
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The reference is to having Siri available on the Google Pixel (or other Android devices). If you had an Android (was in the Android ecosystem) and used Goole Assistant there is probably NOT likely you would downgrade/use Siri on your Android if it were an option. While Google Assistant is not a panacea of an assistant it is overall slightly better than Siri.
 
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-BigMac- said:
lol weird, me and im sure countless people on here use Siri over a ‘far superior assistant’ everyday of the week on our iOS devices.. whats up with that?
Click to expand...
Because the "countless" people, including myself, have no choice. It's not like we can remap the home button to Google Assistant. Most people would in a second if given the chance.

Can't wait till you ask me to provide evidence as if it's not obvious how goddamn awful Siri is
 
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Siri: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Everyday I think "hey, this time Siri might work." I am insane.
 
Lloydbm41 said:
Yep. Without the background info, the responses are neutered. Ergo, Siri will always be garbage.
Click to expand...
You know, we will be able to tailor our responses to your comments much better if you provide your exact residential address, current location, weather in your location, current financial status, your favourite foods, last 100 people you have emailed - and the contents, all your contacts and religious and political beliefs...

And also can we store these for future reference/sell these? regards, the googleman :)
 
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-BigMac- said:
You know, we will be able to tailor our responses to your comments much better if you provide your exact residential address, current location, weather in your location, current financial status, your favourite foods, last 100 people you have emailed - and the contents, all your contacts and religious and political beliefs...

And also can we store these for future reference/sell these? regards, the googleman :)
Click to expand...
You do realize Apple does take personal info as well? It’s not as much and Apple lacks a neural net like Googles.
But don’t think Apple is holier than thou. It’s hypocritical.
 
nviz22 said:
Is there a way I can use the Google Assistant to avoid Siri for basic functions? I have the app installed, but I do not see a hot word I can use to activate it while the screen is off.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, no. Apple doesn’t allow you to replace Siri functionality with something else. You can disable Siri though, which is what I did. If it’s an option, Android based phones are actually really good now. I’ve got a couple friends who switched to Google Pixel phones and they’re really happy with them. I might switch again later this year.

Siri really annoys me because she misunderstands stuff or she cannot provide accurate info to basic queries.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the club. Siri is terrible and Apple doesn’t seem interested in making actual improvements.
 
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Lloydbm41 said:
You do realize Apple does take personal info as well? It’s not as much and Apple lacks a neural net like Googles.
But don’t think Apple is holier than thou. It’s hypocritical.
Click to expand...
Ofcourse they do, every company does, it helps R&D.

The question here is do they use that info to target you with ads and sell that information to third parties.

We all know Google does. Ez
 
-BigMac- said:
Ofcourse they do, every company does, it helps R&D.

The question here is do they use that info to target you with ads and sell that information to third parties.

We all know Google does. Ez
Click to expand...
Considering Google is an ad based entity, my response to that portion of your post is, “Duh”.

But when it comes to selling your data to 3rd parties, Google is actually better than Apple. Google requires your consent. Apple doesn’t, and they do give it away, but they don’t ask for permission and they won’t tell you who they give it to!

Here is the info from Apple, Google and Microsoft. After reading this, maybe you should re-evaluate your perception of Apple and Google:

From Apple’s site:
At times Apple may make certain personal information available to strategic partners that work with Apple to provide products and services, or that help Apple market to customers.

From Google’s:
We will share personal information with companies, organizations or individuals outside of Google when we have your consent to do so. We require opt-in consent for the sharing of any sensitive personal information.

From Microsoft’s:
We share your personal data with your consent or as necessary to complete any transaction or provide any service you have requested or authorized. We also share data with Microsoft-controlled affiliates and subsidiaries; with vendors working on our behalf; when required by law or to respond to legal process; to protect our customers; to protect lives; to maintain the security of our services; and to protect the rights or property of Microsoft.

Apple and Microsoft outright state they share your data with other companies, without explicitly asking permission. Google’s site states that they also share your data with other companies, but only if you consent to the sharing. In the case of all these companies, personal data refers to your name, email address, home address, credit card number, location history, demographic data, your contacts, and more.
Click to expand...
 
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Lloydbm41 said:
Considering Google is an ad based entity, my response to that portion of your post is, “Duh”.

But when it comes to selling your data to 3rd parties, Google is actually better than Apple. Google requires your consent. Apple doesn’t, and they do give it away, but they don’t ask for permission and they won’t tell you who they give it to!

Here is the info from Apple, Google and Microsoft. After reading this, maybe you should re-evaluate your perception of Apple and Google:
Click to expand...
I stand corrected. Thanks for sharing that, eye opening to say the least..
 
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Lloydbm41 said:
But when it comes to selling your data to 3rd parties, Google is actually better than Apple. Google requires your consent. Apple doesn’t, and they do give it away, but they don’t ask for permission and they won’t tell you who they give it to!
Click to expand...

Are you implying Google does tell you who they give it to? Why did you mark that as a difference between Google and Apple?

Apple obviously requires your consent if you're prompted to read their privacy policy when you sign up – and during everyday use they do ask explicit permission for practically everything.

Where does Apple indicate the personal data shared with undisclosed third parties without your permission includes those within the list you provided ("…credit card number, location history, demographic data, your contacts, and more")?
 
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I just turn Siri off. I have wasted more time mucking with Siri than just to do the same function manually.
 
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