Why computer voices are mostly female

By Brandon Griggs, CNN

October 21, 2011 -- Updated 1542 GMT (2342 HKT)

(CNN) -- To most owners of the new iPhone, the voice-activated feature called Siri is more than a virtual "assistant" who can help schedule appointments, find a good nearby pizza or tell you if it's going to rain.

She's also a she.

...

...BMW was forced to recall a female-voiced navigation system on its 5 Series cars in the late 1990s after being flooded with calls from German men saying they refused to take directions from a woman.

Read more: edition.cnn.com/2011/10/21/tech/innovation/female-computer-voices/index.html

One thing that was not mentioned is that the US military uses a female voice in their fighter jets because they found out that men would respond faster to a woman's voice waking them out of a High G induced turn.

A man is more at ease with hearing a woman's voice.

Example: Star treks computer voice was Majel Barrett

The Shipping Forecast on BBC radio is usually transmitted by a woman because their voices are easier to understand in bad listening conditions ie in rough seas on a yacht or fishing boat.

I'm sorry, Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.