Tim Cook at D10: Hints at Facebook Integration, and Siri Improvements

[heads up]

How about making Siri work outside of the U.S?!

If Siri is gonna work outside of the U.S. with the release of the iPhone 5, then why did I buy a 4S? It's the top selling feature of the 4S, but it won't be available to the rest of the world until the iPhone 5 comes out?! Pathetic!

"Siri, how do I get home from here?"
"I'm sorry Michael, I can't provide maps and directions in Canada"

EPIC FAIL

 

[3282868]

the store has a new graphic and it is monochrome - what has happened to all the colour at Apple - I am getting pretty sick of this - it started with iTunes awhile ago and has spread all through Lion and now the store visuals - I want the COLOUR BACK Apple. And while I am ranting matte screens.

I'm waiting for this to be the "new" Apple store:

 

[tiresias314]

"Siri, turn on bluetooth" would be nice.

If you really felt enterprising, then jailbreak your iPhone 4S and just install the Siri tweaks (and maybe SBSettings if you're really impatient). The functionality is there, the hooks and everything works just fine. Apple is just waiting to flip the switch officially.

"Turn on Wifi"
"Set screen brightness to 100%"
"Turn off bluetooth"
"How do I get to 1000 Isabel Ave?" (and have it open a custom specified turn-by-turn app)

All available now through Cydia

 

[MacAddict1978]

I doubt it's likely to happen. Facebook has the API and the power. Not sure Facebook cares about tapping into iOS more than just an app does. They already have a huge install base on iOS devices at this time.

Facebook stinks as a software developer. (Right down to their own website.) The features are there, but the execution sucks.

It's not just the IOS apps that is bad, it's the Android and WP7 apps too. The camera and messaging apps being separate just attests to how awful the main app is (which already has these features built in and work POORLY).

Facebook is taking a LOT of heat on this, and more now they are traded publicly. FB wants this type of integration, but their challenge is finding a revenue stream, something they're not great at doing is making money. (Also a factor to why their stock is not meeting expectations, because now that they are public they have to discolose more fine details, and it's not a pretty picture.)

More FB traffic is via mobile (which is ad free) than their web site, where they have ads and things that generate income for them. Anything to keep people using and accessing Facebook is good for them. For them, that is more posts, more uploaded photos, and things you'll want to go back to a desktop version and see in larger scale later where they can sever you up ads.

In the past, FB tried to black ball Apple for payments citing using their API would tax their servers and cost them money, wanting Apple to pay them a fee. (Go back to the sad launch of Ping.) All FB really did was put a wall up to additional site traffic, and despite their user base, how many people really log in all the much? Their earnings tell a more realistic story about this.

So long winded as this is, it doesn't matter what their install base is on ANY platform. Their mobile apps such and perform poorly. Where they've grown in through integration into platforms and the web. (Like your FB login working anywhere, post to Facebook from news apps, etc.) They need people posting so people are viewing. Half the time I think of uploading a pic to FB, I say screw it because their app sucks and I don't want the irritation of using it and only load certain pictures. If I could 1 click from the photo app, I'd probably use the feature 100 times more. And so would a lot of other people.

 

[class77]

If you don't want fb integration, don't use it . You're not forced to use it. I don't use twitter, and i dont care if its in iOS. just don't use it.

Apple has apps that you can put on your iPhone/iPad. If I wanted Facebook or Twitter, I would install the apps. I don't want Apple to increase the size of it's OS to incorporate that kind of stuff

 

[tbrinkma]

when will they give siri voice packs so i can make her speak like glados?

this!!!!!

 

[macMD]

I rarely use FB and its fine if they want to integrate it more, but I want control to turn off any integration.

 

[WeegieMac]

You are completely missing my point. Let me make it perfectly simple for you.

Your standards != Apple's standards

Your Siri tests != Apple's Siri tests

Siri works on your JB iPhone, thats great. But your biggest problem is following the faulty logic of "it works in my situations thus it must work in all situations."

No, I'll make it "perfectly simple" for you. I didn't ask, nor care, for your pompous overtones and self opinionated reply.

I wasn't going into the whole Apple expectations debate, I am more than aware they exist even if they are disguising the "keep best feature for the latest model" mindset. It was a throwaway comment, not an invitation to help you up onto your trusty steed.

 

[nxent]

Got to admit ... I have zero interest in Facebook being integrated into my phone's OS. None.

couldn't agree more. last thing i want is my phone 'liking' people i call

 

[louis Fashion]

Up the Revolution

FaceBook is ok for people attempting to overthrow oppressive governments.
Bless them and bless FB.

For the rest of us, FB is just a device (or app) that sucks our personal information dry.

 

[gss7881]

the live blog from Macrumors was ...

... well it would never update without a refresh!!! and after awhile it will stop updating all together.

I read MR all the time but this one was yack

 

[thefourthpope]

The new iPad has voice dictation which works extremely well. Siri would be fantastic on an iPad regardless of noise-cancellation.

Is their any good reason Apple kept it from the iPad? Surely they plan on bringing it to more products, right?

I'm praying for an iOS 6 addition of Siri for iPad, though I know I should't get my hopes up.

I assumed it was because the iPad does not have guaranteed data connections. I know, neither does my iPhone, but it's much more consistent than my WiFi only iPad.
One of my main issues with Siri is not being able to do basic things without a strong internet connection. It would be far more frustrating on a more limited iPad; I'd rarely use it.

Sure, none of that is a reason not to include Siri at all, but it is a reason to consider which of their devices get the feature.

----------

And you know that, when they do, it won't be something you can uninstall. It'll be riiiight in there. I'd say this is worse than Android's bloatware (which is uninstallable or, at least, hideable).

Plus, it's just a matter of time before Facebook and Twitter will also be integrated heavily into OS X as Apple continues to become a money-grabbing corporation rather than the innovating company it once was.

A lot of that innovation was focused on getting their products into the hands of huge numbers of young consumers. Those consumers' purchases then allowed further innovations. Twitter and FB are probably seen as necessary components of a smartphone by a huge segments of Apple's desired mass demographic.

It's coming. And as long as I am not required to log in, I'll be ok with it.

 

[strausd]

Yeah, the waiting game has always been the story with Apple. Since he actually hasn't said ANYTHING except for the typical empty corporate phrases, there are only three options available: Wait, don't care or move on.

That's what I enjoy about Steve Ballmer interviews. He's simple and straightforward: We go out there, get beaten, get back on our feet again and go back until we finally kick their sorry asses. Simple, but with a clear message, believable and even fun to listen to.

Heck, do you see how much the Windows 8 crew and other Microsoft development teams are blogging these days?

The thing is, we live in 2012, Open Source, social networks, blogs and the Internet are a reality and open communication - not secrecy - is what people expect from an IT company.

This whole secrecy crap from a CONSUMER tech company just does not belong here anymore.

After all, they are not working on anything that a nation's security would depend on. They produce toys and gadgets and personal computers. I get it from a marketing perspective, though. It just doesn't speak positively to me anymore.

Yes, because obviously Apple is doing something wrong and they need to change so they start doing well as a company again. Oh wait.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. What they are doing is working and working better than any other company. It is that simple.

No, I'll make it "perfectly simple" for you. I didn't ask, nor care, for your pompous overtones and self opinionated reply.

I wasn't going into the whole Apple expectations debate, I am more than aware they exist even if they are disguising the "keep best feature for the latest model" mindset. It was a throwaway comment, not an invitation to help you up onto your trusty steed.

Looks like nobody likes your comments.

And of course you won't get into the Apple expectations debate because you know who is right.

 

[apolloa]

So maybe you have the wrong phone.

No I don't, but we shall see what happens with 'Facebook'.

So your assumption is that in this imaginary scenario, Apple will allow Facebook to have access to your personal information even if you don't activate the Facebook integration. Even though Apple has never done anything like that before. I suppose if you start with the assumption that everyone is untrustworthy, you have to conclude that they are untrustworthy.

Apple has never integrated Facebook into iOS before, I also do not need to explain why Facebook is untrustworthy as it has been very well documented, so what if Apple doesn't 'allow access' but Facebook takes it anyway, it wouldn't be the first time an app has stolen information without the user knowing. No Sorry, when it comes the Facebook it is incredibly risky to have anything to do with them.
Apple should be giving you a choice if you want it integrated in the first place, not an on and off switch.

Whereby "proved to be", you mean "assumed to be".

No, unless you have amnesia, you have ignored the fact Apple have been told by several government agency's to stop and explain the tracking of iPhone users, hmm, a multi billion dollar corporation spying on it's users without telling them. Yeah I'll say that's 'proved to be untrustworthy..

 

[BaldiMac]

pple has never integrated Facebook into iOS before, I also do not need to explain why Facebook is untrustworthy as it has been very well documented, so what if Apple doesn't 'allow access' but Facebook takes it anyway, it wouldn't be the first time an app has stolen information without the user knowing. No Sorry, when it comes the Facebook it is incredibly risky to have anything to do with them.
Apple should be giving you a choice if you want it integrated in the first place, not an on and off switch.

That's just paranoia. You might as well assume that Facebook is already hacking every smartphone on the market. I do not trust Facebook and do not have an account, but this argument is just silly.

No, unless you have amnesia, you have ignored the fact Apple have been told by several government agency's to stop and explain the tracking of iPhone users, hmm, a multi billion dollar corporation spying on it's users without telling them. Yeah I'll say that's 'proved to be untrustworthy..

If you actually understood that situation, you would understand that Apple was not spying on it's users. Please educate yourself.

 

[-LikesMac-]

If only Apple could integrate Google+ while they're at it (Yea, I know, complications with Google may prevent this from happening..

 

[joneill55]

Got to admit ... I have zero interest in Facebook being integrated into my phone's OS. None.

Ditto squared

With their privacy policies, they can drop off the earth for all I care.

 

[apolloa]

That's just paranoia. You might as well assume that Facebook is already hacking every smartphone on the market. I do not trust Facebook and do not have an account, but this argument is just silly.



If you actually understood that situation, you would understand that Apple was not spying on it's users. Please educate yourself.

I understand that Apple was asked by government departments and courts what it thought it was doing. And you can tell me my argument is silly, but when it comes to Facebook I don't want anything to do with them what so ever, I used to have an account a long time ago but ditched it as soon as they started playing monkeys with everyones security.

We shall see if Apple do integrate it, what happens, but I am VERY against it being anywhere near iOS. Apple shouldn't promote a company that makes money on everyones personal information.

 

[whiteyanderson]

...iOS integration with FaceBook???

FB is a fad...in a few years it will join MySpace, vinyl LPs, cassette tapes, CRT monitors, etc.

Yeah! Well....except...vinyl LP's NEVER went away and are making VERY strong sales these days as are turntables. Maybe you meant the Compact Disc though.

 

[whiteyanderson]

You people complaining about FB privacy are ridiculous. Ever use Google? Or do you have some type of carrier pigeon system to perform your web searches?

Here's the way to beat online privacy issues: UNPLUG your computer from the internet. Shutter your doors. Put your tin foil hat back on.

FB, whether you like it or not, is not the issue. I actually DON'T like it much myself. It's the act of putting one's information on the INTERNET in the first place that is the issue. Your info was being farmed and collected wayyyyy before FB and will continue to be collected wayyyyyy after it is gone.

 

[DJTaurus]

Is the full interview video uploaded anywhere?

 

[mentaluproar]

this!!!!!

found the pic I wanted.

 

[tbrinkma]

found the pic I wanted.

Love it!