Language selection is updated

Language selection function was added to Simsimi application.

For iOS version, the new version is on the process of being reviewed for Appstore, and It was already adjusted for Android version and web version few hours ago.

Now it is expected that most of the problem related to the language setting gap between the device and people use at the application will be solved.

In the application, you can see the the language data base Simsimi is using at the bottom right of the screen. By touching it you can select the other languages. You can find the language setting button at the bottom right, too. You can set the language you want to talk in and want to teach by the function. You can see how many sentences Simsimi has learned so far at the language selection. Teach function in the web version will be added soon. iPhone users should wait for the review to be compeleted.

[Language selection function at the web version in cellphone]

[Language selection screen in app]

It is possible now that users can share their opinions per languages by adding facebook comments function. If you are a speaker of more than two languages, you can enjoy Simsimi more than before.

SimSimi’s Operational Problem in Thai

Last weekend, we received several mails from Thai users. One of new category of problem was that they cannot chat with SimSimi in Thai. Moreover, because of the rumor saying Thai government censored the service and we changed the service in Thai, it made Thai government to report for correction in public.

Actually, it is nothing with Thai government. It just caused by minor change of the system due to the rapid increase of Thai users.

Specifically speaking, there was a change related to classifying languages in the service on Last Friday.

Around 2010, when we set the SimSimi application for smartphone, we set the system to change the language automatically for the multi language base system. At that time, we made an assumption that users may set their native language as their device language, so we made SimSimi recognize the language according to the language set in device. If a device set English as their language setting, SimSimi will find the response from “English” database, and it will store what it learn at “English” database.

While English speaking users increasing, it seems okay with this method. However, recently other language speakers such as Thai increased it made us embarrassed. In the case of Thailand, the number of  people set their device language as English was lager than Thai. It caused the situations such as language Thai people taught stored to “English” database and SimSimi search the response of the question from “English” database.

After several discussions, we decided to change the previous language selection method. We set basically SimSimi will speak in the language set the language setting, and user can show the language he or she want to speak with SimSimi at the chatting application and set the chatting languages. With introduction of new system, Thai users who set English as their setting, may check their device language is “English” when they run the SimSimi application, then they can change it into Thai.

Now we are developing such as system, and we moved “Thai” languages which troubled us by being stored at “English” languages, into “Thai” database.

Also, with the improvement if people teach words containing Thai language, then it will be stored at “Thai” database. Since the “Thai” words stored at “English” database moved to “Thai” database, people who have taught SimSimi Thai words with their English setting may have felt SimSimi does not remember the words they taught any more.

So far, we have not experienced foreign market directly we could not effectively communicate with users in advance. We are sorry for causing a stir in Thailand. We want you to consider this as one of our efforts to make better service.

Thank you for your concern and interest.

An alternative way to chat with SimSimi (for Blackberry, WM, crashing/keyboard bug, etc...)

A keyboard disappearing and crashing bug fixed version for iOS has been applied already, so it is expected in review soon. And someone is still waiting for SimSimi in Blackberry, Windows mobile, etc... 

Now you have an alternative way to chat with SimSimi.
Please visit here http://simsimi.com  You can have a chat with SimSimi here.

Simsimi and Siri : Similarities and differences

As Simsimi ranked high at the American app store, more people gets interested in Simsimi. Among the issues on Simsimi, there is an comparison between Simsimi and Siri(of iPhone 4S).

Simsimi and Siri is basically same in the point that both are chatting robot considered to be having persona. Still, there are a couple of differences between them, let’s focus on the point closely.

1.     Voice Interface

The most important element makes differences between Simsimi and Siri is voice interface. If Siri does the performance only by inserting and printing text data without its characteristic of voice recognition and voice synthesis, it will be recognized same as Simsimi, Simsimi will be recognized Siri if it has additional two characteristics.

 

2.     Agent Function
There will be an argument that Siri is distinguished from Simsimi in the point that it has Agent functions such as reminding schedule, getting direction, forecasting weather, and booking airplane. However, Simsimi had performed similar task in Korea at the service for feature phones around 2004. Agent service such as weather service, dictionary service, searching mobile contents service and a match making services were developed and implemented to the Simsimi service, if IT infrastructure had been supportive as now, Simsimi could be leading service scenario offering information impressively on screen through its mesh-up service. All you have to do for programming agent function is only giving instruction on which function to be performed out of various functions which are prepared in advance, when artificial intelligence module is analyzing the user input. From this point, Simsimi and Siri’s agent function is basically same.

       

    (It is a demonstration video of test version of application, Simsimi with voice recognition function like Siri. An open library from the world renowned voice recognition company is employed, but it seems to be difficult to be released official application because Simsimi inc. has limited authorization in utilizing resources.)

3.     Source of response data

Lastly, as it is mentioned in several media, how they learned the words they use in a conversation. It shows the differences of two services clearly. All of the responses from Siri are arranged by iPhone4s’s developer, Apple. Answers made from inside of company are elaborately consisted for various situations. Likewise, interesting reactions of Siri which is in the limelight are Easter eggs strategically intended for promotion.

As you see, unlike Siri whose jokes are calculated by the company, all response from Simsimi is from its users. Simsimi has user-friendly interface, so that user can teach words to Simsimi and the words Simsimi learned is used when it has a conversation with other users. It is explained as if everyone inputs their own opinions on certain theme to Simsimi, it delivers what others think to people who talk on the same topic. Because nothing is arranged in advance, it gives diversity of answers that gives us more entertainment than sum of millions of Siri’s Easter eggs jokes.

A SimSimi news from IBTIMES

SimSimi is a celebrity now! :)

Simsimi: 5 Crazy Conversations to Have With the Hilarious iPhone and Android App

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/285615/20120122/simsimi-iphone-android-twitter.htm

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