Siri on iPhone 4: Apple Says Software Not Coming to Older Phones
Apple has confirmed that Siri, its voice-recognition software running exclusively on the iPhone 4S, will not be given to users of older Apple devices.
The news comes as a blow to many Apple fans, who had hoped that Apple would give the beta of their newest software to owners of the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPads, or newer-generation iPods.
Apple was essentially forced to address the rumors swirling around the coveted program, as hackers have found a way to trick other Apple gadgets to use Siri. They posted videos online, encouraging many followers of the brand to hope for the possibility.
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The Apple statement reads as follows: “Engineering has provided the following feedback regarding this issue: Siri only works on iPhone 4S and we currently have no plans to support older devices.”
Although Apple maintains that Siri can work smoothly only for the iPhone 4S, the statement is not entirely true, as a small team of developers have used components from the newest handset to supplement the old ones.
By taking the authentication tokens from the iPhone 4S, these developers have been able to trick Apple’s servers into communicating with the Siri program. In essence, it isn’t necessarily the iPhone 4S’s faster processor that is required to run the beta, just the valid authentication tokens.
Apple may have valid reasons for preventing owners of previous company gadgets from using Siri. So far, the voice-identification software has experienced widespread malfunctions and outages, perhaps partially caused by the thousands of users trying to use Siri simultaneously.
Apple has been working round-the-clock to get Siri up and running properly, with some success.
If the millions of iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS users were to start using Siri too, it would certainly exacerbate the already frustrating problem – Apple’s engineers might not be able to keep up.
Apple has doused the rumors surrounding Siri for older devices, but it has sparked new stories about bringing Siri to newer technology.
The California-based company could be tackling the television industry as their latest foray into consumer electronics. Siri could be part of that, with gossip spreading about voice-activated TV replacing remotes.
