siri

Ever since Apple unveiled Siri--its new voice assistant feature for the iPhone 4S--at its media event last week, there's been a little confusion over who can get Siri and how.

Twitter and Apple forums have been filled with questions about whether and when Siri will make an appearance on other iOS devices, like the iPad or regular iPhone 4. Some Apple fans rushed to download the iOS 5 update when it became available this week--causing quite a few problems for Apple servers--in the hopes that Siri would be included in the upgrade.

Alas, the common consumer has had no luck getting his/her/its hands--or rather, vocal cords--on Siri until today, when the iPhone 4S finally arrives in stores. That's also good news for those with no current plans or budget for grabbing the new phone, because it gets the actual hardware into the hands of more of the code wizards working on a port of Siri for other devices.… Read more

She walked brazenly into their lives, as if she knew exactly what they wanted.

The nerds were taken aback. Some seem petrified, stultified, emulsified. Others just began to sing Siri love songs.

Apple's new highly educated intelligent concierge, available with the iPhone 4S, has stunned those who have been privileged to make her acquaintance. They marvel at her novel, insightful, and, dare one say, human responses to some of their most esoteric needs.

The nice man at This Is My Next seemed to believe that she said some "weird things." What might these weird things be? Well, … Read more

iOS 5 reviews are coming in from around the Web, but the Siri voice control application is grabbing everyone's attention with a clever answer to nearly any question you throw at it.

Apparently it'll tell you everything from where to hide a body to how to secure paid company for the night, and explain the meaning of life. Strangely, it seems the only thing it won't do is call the police. Siri needs to get her priorities straight!

Today's 404 features CNET's Scott Stein and Bridget Carey; read on for the news highlights.… Read more

New Facebook interaction added to eBay, Siri has some quirky answers, and BlackBerry service is restored, but will there be compensation for down time?

Links from Thursday's episode of Loaded:

At long last, iOS 5 is finally here, two days before the launch of the iPhone 4S.

(Related: We've heard that a number of users have had problems installing the update. Get the latest news on install issues in this post from CNET's Josh Lowensohn.)

Though iOS 5 is not as drastic of an upgrade as we saw with iOS 4 in June 2010, it does offer some much-needed and exciting enhancements for iOS users. A few are quiet and long overdue and others will seriously change how you use your Apple handset.

On that note, perhaps the … Read more

This week, we take a look at what life will be like after Siri for iPhone 4S, check out the latest laptops, and learn how we rescued some game saves from an overheating PS3.

Bonus: Watch the full "Life with Siri" video here.

… Read more

When Apple announced the voice recognition app, Siri, every Android owner was thinking the same thing: we've been doing that for years. Free apps that are available in the Market right now use voice commands to complete everyday tasks like text messaging, sending e-mails, getting directions, and finding reviews.

So while Siri (you know that's "butt" in Japanese, right?) makes its way to the iPhone 4S, grab these free apps and start telling your Android phone what to do right now.

The coolest technology on display at Tuesday's Apple event? Siri, no doubt about it. This new voice-recognition system promises to transform the way we use our iPhones.

Just one problem: you can't have it yet. Apple didn't say when Siri, which is still in beta, will be available, so it could be months before you're telling your iPhone what to do. Update: My mistake. Siri will be bundled with the iPhone 4S, albeit in beta form. Plus, only iPhone 4S owners will be able to get in on the voice-powered action, owing to Siri's steep processing requirements.

If you don't want to wait, or don't want to buy a 4S, try Vlingo. Arguably the "original" voice assistant for the iPhone, this free app lets you accomplish a lot just by speaking. You can post updates to Facebook and Twitter, run a Web search, look up destinations on a map, place a call, and so on.… Read more

When I first heard that Apple had delivered a new, intelligent, and very personal assistant to everyone who buys an iPhone 4S, one question gripped me: Why had the company named her after Tom Cruise's daughter? Was this a neat Hollywood homage?

Then I paid attention a little more and realized she was not called Suri, but Siri.

I am told, though, that most of Japan also paid attention and realized she was not called Suri, but Buttocks.

So many people have sent me the cheeky information that when you say "Siri" in Japanese it means "… Read more