Address Book is an extremely simple app, and I often wonder if Apple will keep updating it with new features (namely, cross-reference for entries and better logic for entries that share similar data), especially now that so many devices rely heavily on it and its contents.
In Address Book, you can customize the fields in the data template to include an extensive amount of data for each entry, which is helpful if someone has multiple email addresses, a birthday you want to remember, an associated website and more. Just go to Address Book > Preferences… > Template to personalize what your default entry includes.
The bonus? Adding certain fields will not only be beneficial for your memory but for Siri’s as well. If you have an iPhone 4S and have had trouble getting Siri to “learn” names, here are a few tips on what to add in Address Book.
Phonetic Names
OK, so this one’s a little personal. My name is not the easiest to pronounce correctly, but let’s face it, it’s not the hardest either, given that my first name and last name have just two syllables each. So how hard is it for Siri? Two-hours-of-training-and-it-still-wasn’t-right kind of hard.
Understandably, my husband wanted Siri to reference me without question when he asked her to call, text or email me. But Siri was having a lot of trouble, and for a brief few minutes, I considered changing my name to “Tali Hilt” to make it easier for everyone.
Enter the Phonetic Name field. Once he added a phonetic spelling of my name (say it with me: “Callie Hill-kah”), she got a little closer to getting it right the first time. However, he wanted to be 100% sure Siri wouldn’t inadvertently call/text/harass the several others in his Address Book who Siri was convinced were his wife, so he took it a little further.
Related Names
By adding my relationship to him in the Related Names field, there can be only one “wife,” and thus, less confusion. (Note to Kody Brown: you may want to skip this step.)
However, for this reference to work, he would always have to refer to me as his wife, rather than use my name. Not hard, but still kind of annoying.
Nickname
This last field ensures that there are now three ways to refer to me in his Address Book, lest Siri still not believe that we’re in a lasting relationship. (I try not to take it personally.)
My husband entered a nickname for me that she found more desirable to use/understand, so we can now rest assured that when he wants to get in touch with me, his humble assistant will oblige the first time!