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Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
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30,135



siripadmini.jpg

Apple's iPad comparison page shows the spec details between the iPad mini, iPad 2 and iPad with Retina Display. Of interest, the iPad mini supports Siri while the iPad 2 does not, despite sharing the same Dual-Core A5 processor as the iPad 2.

Before the launch, there was some speculation that there may have been technical reasons why the iPad 2 was not capable of supporting Siri. The new iPad mini does have internal improvements over the iPad 2 but does share the same A5 processor. It may also be possible there could have be microphone improvements with the new device, but Apple hasn't specified.

Article Link: iPad Mini Supports Siri, iPad 2 Still Doesn't
 

Aidan5806

macrumors 6502
Feb 20, 2012
312
0
Ummmmm....."iPad mini Supports with Siri"......

I believe that is an improper use of words.
 

maccompatible

macrumors 6502
Mar 26, 2012
265
3
I'd say it's a licensing issue. Only devices created after acquisition of the siri company can have the feature, due to legal reasons.
 

hh83917

macrumors 6502
Jun 30, 2005
297
65
Um Apple will probably tell you it's the microphones in the iPad2 being not good enough to do voice recognition or something...
 

TMar

macrumors 68000
Jul 20, 2008
1,679
1
Ky
If they didn't hold back features then how could they dupe so many people into upgrades every year,
 

iMule

macrumors 6502
Feb 11, 2009
309
8
Greenville, SC
Siri is like most fat women — she prefers to wear smaller clothes regardless of how tight of a squeeze they are over something more comfortable.
 

coder12

macrumors 6502a
Jun 28, 2010
512
3
Really, should we worry about this? Is Siri really all that?

I find myself using it all the time. It's easier to say "Call my dad" while walking than to Power On >> Slide to Unlock >> Home >> Phone >> Favorites >> Parents' Home >> Call or to ask about places to eat or for directions. It's been quite the lifesaver for me when I find ways to integrate it with my workflow.
 

musicpenguy

macrumors 68000
Oct 29, 2006
1,817
725
It is a licensing issue with Nuance - Apple setup deals for new devices - every iPad 2 has to play by the same rules - that is why there is no Siri
 

FloatingBones

macrumors 65816
Jul 19, 2006
1,482
735
Is there any reason to get an iPad 2?

It seems as if Apple is doing all they can to discourage the purchase of an iPad 2. They want people to go with the Mini or the 4. Keeping Siri off of the 2 seems consistent with that plan.
 

pauliaK

macrumors regular
Jan 16, 2012
142
56
Banff, AB
I'm afraid Siri won't ever find it's way to second gen iPad. It's a feature for new toys, one of the reasons to pay some extra for those who don't give a crap about processing power or other hardware improvements, because technically good old second gen iPad is easily capable of all the new tricks that it's restricted to, though there's only a few and Siri is the most significant.
 

DMH3006

macrumors regular
Jun 16, 2011
231
0
This. People giving reasons are just defending Apple's planned obsolescence.
If they brought every feature to every device what would be the reason to upgrade?:p
Yes if the sole requirement to support siri was having an A5 chip the iPad 2 would have it however they probably need/want the hardware to have some mics on it therefore no iPad 2 support
 

Mindcrime

macrumors regular
Oct 24, 2003
135
46
Houston, Texas
The iPad mini Wi-fi only doesn't have GPS, so I imagine the Siri functionality is limited --

Long press Home button....

"BOOP!"

"I want to drink coffee"

"Would you like to search the web for 'I want to drink coffee?'"

Long press....

"BOOP"

"Where is the closest coffee shop?"

"Would you like to search the web for 'Where is the nearest coffee shop?'"

"AARRGGH!"

"I'm sorry, Mindcrime, I do not understand what you mean."

"ARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGH!"
 

george-brooks

macrumors 6502a
Oct 31, 2011
732
16
Brooklyn, NY
Will the 2 be going away, with the 3 taking its place, or is the new iPad simply a direct replacement for the iPad 3? Will overstock units be sold as refurbs or what?

On another note, is Siri even that useful on an iPad? I don't own one so I can't speak from experience but I feel like most of Siri's useful functions are phone specific.
 
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