siri

After rolling unwillingly out of bed, what's the first thing you check on your phone? The weather? The score to the Warriors game? The day's agenda? For all of the essential info you need right when you wake up, there's an app for that: Google Search (free) for iOS with Google Now.

Google Now is a hyper-personalized, location-based search feature that answers questions before you even think to ask them. Only Android devices were compatible with Google Now — until today's Google Search push for iPhone and iPad, that is.

We know what you iDevice users are thinking: mobile Safari already comes with Google search built in. Why would an iPhone need another search app with voice activation, especially when it's already got Siri? Get Google Now and you'll see. Discover why this know-it-all app will replace Siri and mobile Safari search on your smartphone.

Nathan Fillion, the proven picture of perfection, had a rocky start with Apple's sassy little voice-command assistant, Siri, who's notorious for not always getting it right.

But last night, Nathan told Conan O'Brien that while riding high on iPhone 5 love ("It's . . . pretty"), he and Siri have finally put their problems behind them and moved forward to a tech relationship of mutual trust and understanding.

Available this fall (a full season away!), the free iOS 6 upgrade promises to shift the landscape for mobile devices. With all-new apps and enhanced features, the operating system offers a range of new possibilities for users. Wondering what all the fuss is about? Here's why iOS 6 will change your mobile experience:

• Maps, Maps, Maps — Replacing Google Maps, the new Apple-designed app is vector-based, which translates to more detailed graphics and text. The Flyover function allows for 3D views of major metro areas, and users will get visual and spoken navigation, plus real-time traffic updates.
• Siri advancements — In iOS 6, Siri understands more languages, works in more countries, and can be used with the iPad 2 and newest iPad. As for social networking, Siri can also tweet and post Facebook updates.
• FaceTime capabilities — No more hunting for WiFi! With the new operating system, FaceTime works over cellular networks, too, so that users can make calls from anywhere.
• Do Not Disturb — All-new iPhone features allow you to instantly reply with a text or set a callback reminder whenever you decline an incoming call. Even cooler? You can turn on Do Not Disturb so that only approved contacts can appear on your phone for a set period of time.
• Passbook — This is the go-to app for boarding passes, movie tickets, retail coupons, and loyalty cards. By scanning your device, you can check into a flight, get into a movie, or redeem your coupon. A fun feature: if you've already checked into your flight and the gate changes, then Passbook will alert you.
• Facebook integration — With iOS 6, you'll be able to share photos on Facebook directly from Camera or Photos. Not only will Facebook events be integrated into Calendar, but you'll also stay totally up to date on all your Facebook friends' information: when a friend updates their profile information, the new number or email will automatically update in Contacts.

We've seen The New Girl herself, Zooey Deschanel get cozy with her Siri app in the latest round of Apple iPhone 4S commercials. But the outtakes that didn't make the final cut? Siri's unfortunate turn from helpful virtual assistant to self-actualized evil droid. Thankfully, the team at Conan rescued the lost clip to show the world what happens when computers stop being nice and start getting all HAL 9000 on their masters.

Keep reading to watch Team Coco's Siri satire.

Didn't get an iPhone 4S this holiday? Don't worry — there are other voice-recognition apps on the market that can stand up to Siri's voice-controlled awesomeness on your devices. In fact, a few of these apps are available for Android and BlackBerry users as well. Check out some download-worthy and free Siri alternatives below.

1. Vlingo — Vlingo doesn't just take voice commands to make calls, SMS, emails, search the web, or get directions, it does something Siri can't — interfaces with your Twitter and Facebook accounts to let you update with your voice . . . and it really works, even without workarounds.
2. Dragon Go — Available for iPhone and iPod Touch owners running iOS 4.0 or later, this app works similarly to Siri in that it will interpret and take commands from your voice. You can ask for directions, to draft an email or SMS, and get show times to upcoming movies in your area by directing you to external websites.
3. Google — Google Mobile's voice abilities let you find information available on Search. For example, you can search with your voice for movie times, photos, websites, nearby restaurants, and more.
4. Voice Control — Your iPhone's included voice search isn't as powerful as Siri (or any of these other apps), but it does the trick when making calls, searching music on your phone, and getting the time. It's a good start, anyway.

Have you mastered the art of Siri communication? Don't worry if you haven't; the virtual personal assistant is still battling language and accent differences with such primitive creatures as the household Furby.

Check out the late 90s collide with modern technology as Siri attempts to interpret the Furby's silly speak.

Rumors of Apple creating a full-fledged television set remind me of the days of the iPad before it was announced. In Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs, the Apple cofounder says that he cracked the mystery of building a full-fledged television, which sent Apple fans into a frenzy. When will the Apple TV hit? What will it be like? According to a new report from the NYT, there's quite a bit to look forward to. Check out four details that we could see in the possible Apple television below.

• It will incorporate Siri — As an alternative to the remote, the Apple television would use Siri to change the channel, settings, and set recordings.
• It will be Internet-connected — Jumping off of the current Apple TV, the full-fledged television would be connected to the Internet and act as a hub for your cable, Internet, and iTunes rentals.
• It's been in the works for years — Word has it, the Apple television has been in the works since 2007!
• You could hear about it as soon as next year — Industry analysts say that the Apple television could be announced in late 2012, with a release date in early 2013.

The iPhone 4S comes with some cool upgrades and iOS 5, but the tech-loving world has been focused mostly on the likes of Siri. The voice recognition software that's been dubbed your "virtual assistant," who even has her own Tumblr dedicated to her humorous responses, is also the focus of the latest iPhone 4S ad that was released by Apple last night. Check it out below and tell us — what are some of the ways you've been using Siri?

Siri may be your new best virtual friend, but heads up — she might be talking about you to strangers. A recently discovered security hole in Siri on the iPhone 4S allows anyone access to Siri even if your phone is passcode locked. Just by pressing and holding the home button, you can send text messages, emails, make and change calendar appointments, and get info on contacts.

Still, it's better to be safe than sorry. Follow these steps to secure Siri behind a passcode lock: go to Settings > General > Passcode Lock. Enter your passcode, then scroll down to where it says "Siri" and slide it into the "Off" position. This will limit Siri's functionality behind your passcode lock. Take note that this function is on by default, so change it right away if you don't want your texts and appointments falling into the wrong hands.