The voice of Siri has become familiar to millions of iPhone users since the launch of the iPhone 4S. The voice isn’t just computer driven, and it was supplied by someone, and now we know who that someone is. CNN has a lengthy report interviewing the voice behind Siri, and it turns out to be Susan Bennett, who resides in the suburbs of Atlanta. Bennett has been doing voice work since the 1970s, and has worked for some major clients including Delta Airlines, GPS systems, and the first ATM. The story of becoming the voice of Siri is quite interesting, because there wasn’t a clear path, or a distinct casting call.
In 2005, the software company ScanSoft was looking for a voice, and reached out to the Atlanta based GM Voices, which specialized in automated voice technologies. Bennett had done lots of work with GM Voices, and ScanSoft liked what they heard to sign her to a contract Bennett then proceeded to record for four hours a day, everyday, for a month straight. At the time, she didn’t know how her voice would be used, and it turns out that Nuance Communications acquired ScanSoft. Nuance supplied part of the backend technology to Apple for Siri, and the rest is history. The result is Bennett’s voice becoming the Siri many have come to know, and voice experts have confirmed that it is indeed Bennett’s voice. Susan Bennett didn’t even know her voice was used as Siri, until a colleague asked if her voice was used on their new iPhone. Bennett then proceeded to Apple.com to watch the demo, and hear her voice as Siri for the first time. As she says, “to be honest, It was a little creepy” to hear her voice coming out of the phone for the first time.
The voice of Siri is widely known these days, but that familiar voice is being phased out with the new voice of Siri in iOS 7. Older devices still have Susan Bennett’s voice, but soon it will just be an item of the past. CNN has a video interview with Susan Bennet that you can enjoy below. Also, as a side note it just happens to be Siri’s birthday, as it’s the two year anniversary of the launch of the iPhone 4S, and the Siri voice powered assistant.
Source:
http://applenapps.com/apple_news/the-voice-behind-siri-revealed-meet-susan-bennett.html
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