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Why did Apple leave Siri out of the iPad?

S

sphinx99

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 31, 2012
51
8
I'm trying to think of one good reason why, but I can't.

Did they just imagine that people wouldn't want it?

Or did they consciously decide that tablet users should be prevented from having it?

Or was there some deep-rooted unknown technical reason why?
 
The fact that it needs a data stream in order to work is most likely why. If all iPads had built in 3G/4G radios that wouldn't be a problem, but I think it would be confusing for someone to be on their wifi iPad away from a network and wonder why Siri isn't working.
 
Probably because they're having enough trouble keeping the service reliable for all of the iPhone 4S users. I still hear people talking about getting an error message when trying to use Siri on a 4S, I'm guessing because of overloaded servers.

Once they have all the server load issues worked out where it's extremely reliable for iPhone users (when they have a connection at least) then I think it will expand to the iPad.
 
ugahairydawgs said:
The fact that it needs a data stream in order to work is most likely why. If all iPads had built in 3G/4G radios that wouldn't be a problem, but I think it would be confusing for someone to be on their wifi iPad away from a network and wonder why Siri isn't working.
Click to expand...

That's a good point, although given the disaster that is AT&T 3G, it's not like you can always depend on data with the phone either. :)

Still, I can see that reasoning, although it's upsetting.
 
there are a lot of ipad feature decisions which Apple has made which make me ask why. leaving Siri out of the ipad3 ain't one of them.

Siri requires connectivity to the internet. unlike iphones which are sold w/a data plan, not all ipad owners have that same level of connection availability. also, it's much easier and natural to hold a phone close to your mouth to speak when using Siri. not the same experience when doing it with the ipad.


sphinx99 said:
I'm trying to think of one good reason why, but I can't.

Did they just imagine that people wouldn't want it?

Or did they consciously decide that tablet users should be prevented from having it?

Or was there some deep-rooted unknown technical reason why?
Click to expand...
 
Only works about half the time anyways. And yeah, most likely due to people freaking out about it when not connected.
 
I think it's a little bit of everything -- in addition to the two reasons already mentioned (connectivity and stability), they may have thought that Siri experience is not as convenient on tablets as on phones. On the iPhone, using Siri is an one handed move -- you just grab the phone and hold the home button. The iPad you need two hands to do this. I agree that eventually, with more third-party app integration, Siri will be as useful on the iPad as on the iPhone, but right now, for most things I use Siri on the iPhone -- well, the two things I do the most is set timer/alarm, and check weather, which iPad can't do because there's no native clock or weather app (which is another "what is Apple thinking" topic!) -- so as of the moment, there may be some validity to the thought that Siri just isn't as useful on the iPad. I do think it'll come to the iPad eventually, though.
 
Siri is in beta. iPhone 4s users are the beta testers. It really is that simple.

I imagine that Apple is working to get it out of beta for iOS6. At that point, devices technically capable like the new iPad and probably the iPad 2 will get Siri.

b5250c34.jpg
 
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ugahairydawgs said:
The fact that it needs a data stream in order to work is most likely why. If all iPads had built in 3G/4G radios that wouldn't be a problem, but I think it would be confusing for someone to be on their wifi iPad away from a network and wonder why Siri isn't working.
Click to expand...

Then in that case they should be wondering why they cannot surf the Internet when they are away from a wifi network with their wifi only device.

Or wonder why I can't stream netflix when I do not have a wifi connection. Or download music, movies, tv shows, apps from the stock iTunes and App Store apps.

It isn't a reach to know that if u don't have Internet access you can't use Siri.
 
ugahairydawgs said:
The fact that it needs a data stream in order to work is most likely why. If all iPads had built in 3G/4G radios that wouldn't be a problem, but I think it would be confusing for someone to be on their wifi iPad away from a network and wonder why Siri isn't working.
Click to expand...

yes because it would take an army of MIT PHD's to master a pop up windows when Siri. :rolleyes:

Would something like this really cause that much confusion in the ipad user world?

16te9s.png
 
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ipedro said:
Siri is in beta. iPhone 4s users are the beta testers. It really is that simple.

I imagine that Apple is working to get it out of beta for iOS6. At that point, devices technically capable like the new iPad and probably the iPad 2 will get Siri.

Image
Click to expand...

Given apples history of holding back software enhancements for previous models, I find this a highly optimistic viewpoint.
 
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