The iPhone 4s is already causing controversy

Apple's new Siri virtual assistant feature in the iPhone 4s is already causing controversy and dividing the gadget-loving universe.

Of course, everyone is entitled to use or not use any research. Some people, including Google Android chief Andy Rubin, think cell phones should be used for talking to other people, not for talking to the phone.

Most of these involve making a phone call, and interacting with a virtual assistant on the other end of the line. For instance, until last week, whenever I wanted to add something to my calendar or send myself an email reminder, I would hit the speed dial for Dial2Do. A female voice that sounds something like Siri would answer, and ask: "What would you like to do?" I would say either "calendar" or "reminder," at that time say the information I wanted to to be acted upon.

I've as well been a heavy user of services like Bing 411 or the now defunct GOOG-411. With those, you call a virtual assistant, and ask for the names of businesses. The services send you a link to map directions or connect your call.

The second reason I'm biased in favor of virtual assistant innovation on cell phones is my eyesight. I'm over 40, and I need reading glasses during using a computer or reading a book, and especially to see the tiny text on my iPhone.

Siri enables me to play music and podcasts, send and receive emails and texts, give myself reminders, make appointments, get directions and all the rest without needing glasses or even taking the phone out of my pocket.

Rubin's recent comment, in essence showing a personal bias against Siri-like innovation, reveals a breathtaking absence of vision about the future of computing. And it's one that I'm sure many others at Google do not share.

As I've said many times in this space, the future of all computing is iPad-like touch tablets. Within a few years, you'll trade in your old-and-busted WIMP PC, and embrace something similar to a giant iPad, set at a drafting table angle on your desk.

As I've written previously, Apple is actually good at training users to embrace new ways of doing things. For instance, they forced millions to embrace virtual keyboards by banning any company from making a physical keyboard for the original iPhone.

It would have been easy for Apple to allow Siri to as well open apps. Nevertheless Apple wants to train us all how to use computers the new way via virtual assistants, in other words than the old way.

The service lets you connect at the same time all kinds of Internet-based services. One of these services is SMS. And that's the key to empowering Siri.

The step-by-step instructions here

I don't need to give you the step-by-step instructions here. That's what ifttt does actually well. Just follow the on-screen instructions for taking action with SMS text messages, add ifttt as a contact on your iPhone, at that time use Siri to create and send those text messages.

The phone's keyboard has a microphone button. When you press it, you're in dictation mode until you press the Done button.

Voice-based virtual assistant innovation is here to stay. It's not a gimmick, nevertheless a powerful and useful new interface that can transform how you live and work.

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