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The iPad 3 will not have Siri, and why.
- Thread starter falcora
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This post brings up something I hadn't considered. I'm thinking of buying my first iPad but haven't decided if it will be a discounted iPad 2 or the new one but I was pretty set on just getting a WIFI only version. Are there many popular apps that users are using that require an internet connection that makes buy a 3g version a must. I have an android phone and I notice that even many games need that data connection just to upload high scores or use openfeint. So if I buy a WIFI only model will I be limiting myself too much as to which apps I can run?
The factor being omitted here is microphone functionality. Siri works on the 4S because the mic is upgraded relative to its predecessors. It also makes sense on a phone because holding a phone up to your face is accepted. Even if the same mic went into the iPad 3 would people actually hold it up to their face to use Siri? Granted you could attach headphones with a mic built in, but to live up to the experience Apple wants everyone to have then the mic implement on the headphones would have to be overhauled as well. That's my two cents. Curious to see what happens...
I never use Siri held up to my face. I just push and hold the home button and it works just fine sitting on a desk, in the car, etc. But you are right, the microphone system in the iPad 3 probably needs an upgrade.
Well, for me I rather have more practical things, such as much improved battery life or making all application able to work over 3g instead of being rooted to wifi. I'm all for change, but I want these changes, not the ones you listed.
The stuff listed above are nice, but not a need for me.
I really hope that apple brings siri to the new iPad. I am concerned though as apple has demonstrated in the past that certain things are meant for the iPhone vs. the iPad. What come to mind is leaving off the clock and calculator apps when the iPad was first introduced. Also I believe voice control was also left off the original iPad. When they demonstrate Siri in commercials it's typically in a highly mobile setting and not the typical couch type setting they have in the iPad commercials. we'll see as I really hope they bring it to the new iPad.
Good points...
Of course we'd be fine with Apple implementing Siri. But would they?
I see how Apple might not want to implement such a limited feature. Wifi iPads (which is probably the majority of them) would be left stranded outside of homes or coffee shops.
Ok the other hand, like a user already mentioned... They already did this with FaceTime.
So, in conclusion... Who knows?
Of course we'd be fine with Apple implementing Siri. But would they?
I see how Apple might not want to implement such a limited feature. Wifi iPads (which is probably the majority of them) would be left stranded outside of homes or coffee shops.
Ok the other hand, like a user already mentioned... They already did this with FaceTime.
So, in conclusion... Who knows?
The voice recognition itself is performed on the server, similar to Google's voice recognition.
It limits offline use, but it gives better results. Speech recognition is complex. Samples are statistically matched against enormous data sets by ANNs (Artificial Neural Networks), based on machine learning algorithms that are continuously crunching more data. In some sense, it's an enormous search engine.
This approach deals with variations quite well, provided you have a large enough dataset.
Google translate does a similar thing: their engine is based on enormous collections of translated books and things on the web. They process that with some keywords to its context and place in the sentence, and the result is much better translations. They also use machine learning if you make corrections to the translation.
So it's really important that speech recognition is done on the server.
It limits offline use, but it gives better results. Speech recognition is complex. Samples are statistically matched against enormous data sets by ANNs (Artificial Neural Networks), based on machine learning algorithms that are continuously crunching more data. In some sense, it's an enormous search engine.
This approach deals with variations quite well, provided you have a large enough dataset.
Google translate does a similar thing: their engine is based on enormous collections of translated books and things on the web. They process that with some keywords to its context and place in the sentence, and the result is much better translations. They also use machine learning if you make corrections to the translation.
So it's really important that speech recognition is done on the server.
To say Siri shouldn't exist on the iPad WiFi simply because it doesn't have universal connectivity is silly because if people consciously purchased the WiFi-ONLY to use in situations where they know there's internet. Open Safari when at home or at a coffee shop, don't open it when you're hiking.
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The problem here is segmentation of the app. Suddenly you have portions of Siri that work offline, and portions that do not. This does not exactly make it easier or more enjoyable for the user, as opposed to simply telling them "Siri needs the internet" and having it be all-on or all-off.
I've got a 4S and have used Siri maybe 5 times since I bought it. Conversely, I use FaceTime at least a couple times per day.
Everyone's mileage/preferences are different. To each their own. Lets just hope Apple provides something for everyone in the iPad 3. Given the sales of the iPad 1/2....I'm betting they will.
Everyone's mileage/preferences are different. To each their own. Lets just hope Apple provides something for everyone in the iPad 3. Given the sales of the iPad 1/2....I'm betting they will.
I understand the logic behind your post. But as long as Apple makes users understand that they're not always going to be able to use Siri, (it's 2012 people should know) then that's fine.
It'd be quite interesting if they put a local version for Siri. Commands like, what's the time, play this song... On my 3GS that used to work wherever I was.. connected or not.
It'd be quite interesting if they put a local version for Siri. Commands like, what's the time, play this song... On my 3GS that used to work wherever I was.. connected or not.
Not a valid reason.
If you had a Wi-fi Ipad you could ask it to search google, play music, take a picture and so on. There's a million reasons why Siri should come to the Ipad and lots of us don't buy the 3G as we don't carry it around everywhere. It's a laptop device for many.
Plus if Siri comes to the TV what's your excuse then? Who is going to buy a 3G tv to carry around lol?
