Men worldwide are feeling the strain of increasing relationship communication demands as technology makes them "available to nag, literally anywhere." Widespread internet and phone access mean a man is no longer safe from a check-up from his Missus, whether he be in his secret den or abroad, pretending to be on a business trip. Gary’s (49) marriage failed after 24 years following a communication break down.
"What's a guy supposed to do?", reflects Gary. "I tried hard to answer my phone whilst working, constantly be logged onto Skype and signed into Facebook, but it wasn't enough. She actually wanted me to initiate text conversations at least twice a week. I mean, come on!"
Gary remembers how 15 years ago, with the internet in its relative infancy, he could go on business trips to areas with poor signal and have a well earned break without so much of a 'I've told about that several times now, Gary.'
"Today, women want access 24 hr a day, even if it is often just to criticise our housework efforts or lack thereof."
Fortunately for men like Gary, other men like Gary work in technology and have hit on a compromise. A new app, entitled "That's what she said..." gives guys chance to recover. The app can be trained to recognise your partner’s voice, and automatically records any conversations so you can get on with watching the F1. Although battery life is a concern, the app can manage an astonishing 4 hours of recording without committing mobile suicide and cutting its wires.
But why would you want to listen back to what you largely ignored the first time round? Well you don't have too. The app summarises the key points; often 5 minutes of recording can be condensed to one screen of text.
"If I'd had this app, I'd still be married", regrets Gary. His final 'conversation' with his wife involved her commenting on the predicted bad weather, how she'd left something on the train, and how she didn't want to get her new dress wet at the weekend. Gary interpreted the bits he heard with, "get her to wash my raincoat, sharpish, and abort Plan Waterbomb." The app would have correctly returned, 'buy her an umbrella tomorrow'.
"Ah", says Gary. The app strongly encourages men not to 'ahh' in surprise too often whilst using the app.
