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'''Siri''' ({{IPA-en|ˈsɪri|pron}}) is an [[intelligent software assistant]] and [[knowledge navigator]] functioning as a [[personal assistant]] application for [[iOS (Apple)|iOS]]. The application uses a [[natural language user interface]] to answer questions, make recommendations, and perform actions by delegating requests to a set of [[web services]]. Apple claims that the software adapts to the user's individual preferences over time and personalizes results, as well as accomplishing tasks such as finding recommendations for nearby restaurants, or getting directions. <ref name="apple1">{{cite web|url=http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/siri.html |title=iPhone 4S - Ask Siri to help you get things done |publisher=Apple |date= |accessdate=2011-10-05}}</ref>
'''Siri''' ({{IPA-en|ˈsɪri|pron}}) is a [[software assistant]] and [[knowledge navigator]] functioning as a [[personal assistant]] application for [[iOS (Apple)|iOS]]. The application uses a [[natural language user interface]] to answer questions, make recommendations, and perform actions by delegating requests to a set of [[web services]]. Apple claims that the software adapts to the user's individual preferences over time and personalizes results, as well as accomplishing tasks such as finding recommendations for nearby restaurants, or getting directions. <ref name="apple1">{{cite web|url=http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/siri.html |title=iPhone 4S - Ask Siri to help you get things done |publisher=Apple |date= |accessdate=2011-10-05}}</ref>


Siri was originally introduced as an [[iOS]] application available in the [[App Store (iOS)|App Store]]. Siri was acquired by [[Apple Inc.]] on April 28, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|author=April 28, 2010 |url=http://scobleizer.com/2010/04/28/breaking-news-siri-bought-by-apple/ |title=BREAKING NEWS: Siri bought by Apple |publisher=Scobleizer.com |date=2010-04-28 |accessdate=2011-10-05}}</ref> Siri had announced that their software would be available for BlackBerry and for Android-powered phones, but all development efforts for non-Apple platforms were cancelled after Apple's purchase.<ref>{{cite web|author=Timothy Hay |url=http://www.advfn.com/nasdaq/StockNews.asp?stocknews=NUAN&article=41425250&headline=siri-inc-launches-do-engine-application-for-iphone |title=Siri Inc. Launches 'Do Engine' Application For iPhone |publisher=Dow Jones Newswire |date=2010-02-05 |accessdate=2011-10-09}}</ref>
Siri was originally introduced as an [[iOS]] application available in the [[App Store (iOS)|App Store]]. Siri was acquired by [[Apple Inc.]] on April 28, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|author=April 28, 2010 |url=http://scobleizer.com/2010/04/28/breaking-news-siri-bought-by-apple/ |title=BREAKING NEWS: Siri bought by Apple |publisher=Scobleizer.com |date=2010-04-28 |accessdate=2011-10-05}}</ref> Siri had announced that their software would be available for BlackBerry and for Android-powered phones, but all development efforts for non-Apple platforms were cancelled after Apple's purchase.<ref>{{cite web|author=Timothy Hay |url=http://www.advfn.com/nasdaq/StockNews.asp?stocknews=NUAN&article=41425250&headline=siri-inc-launches-do-engine-application-for-iphone |title=Siri Inc. Launches 'Do Engine' Application For iPhone |publisher=Dow Jones Newswire |date=2010-02-05 |accessdate=2011-10-09}}</ref>

Revision as of 20:01, 27 January 2012

Siri Beta
Original author(s)Siri
Developer(s)Apple Inc.
Initial releaseAugust 9, 2011; 12 years ago (2011-08-09)
Operating systemiOS
PlatformiPhone 4S
Available inEnglish, French, German[1]
TypeIntelligent software assistant
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.siri.com

Siri (pronounced /ˈsɪri/) is a software assistant and knowledge navigator functioning as a personal assistant application for iOS. The application uses a natural language user interface to answer questions, make recommendations, and perform actions by delegating requests to a set of web services. Apple claims that the software adapts to the user's individual preferences over time and personalizes results, as well as accomplishing tasks such as finding recommendations for nearby restaurants, or getting directions. [2]

Siri was originally introduced as an iOS application available in the App Store. Siri was acquired by Apple Inc. on April 28, 2010.[3] Siri had announced that their software would be available for BlackBerry and for Android-powered phones, but all development efforts for non-Apple platforms were cancelled after Apple's purchase.[4]

Siri is now an integrated part of iOS 5, and available only on the iPhone 4S, launched on October 4, 2011.[5] Despite this, hackers were able to adapt Siri in previous iPhones. On November 8, 2011, Apple publicly announced that it had no plans to support Siri on any of its older devices.[6]

Founding

Siri was founded in 2007 by Dag Kittlaus (CEO), Adam Cheyer (VP Engineering), and Tom Gruber (CTO/VP Design), together with Norman Winarsky from SRI International's venture group. On October 13, 2008, Siri announced it had raised an $8.5 million Series A financing round, led by Menlo Ventures and Morgenthaler Ventures.[7] In November 2009, Siri raised a $15.5 million Series B financing round from the same investors as in their previous round, but led by Hong-Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing.[8] Dag Kittlaus left his position as CEO of Siri at Apple after the launch of the iPhone 4S.[9]

DARPA involvement

With Siri, Apple is using the results of over 40 years of research funded by DARPA via SRI International’s Artificial Intelligence Center through the Personalized Assistant that Learns Program and Cognitive Agent that Learns and Organizes Program CALO.

This includes the combined work from research teams from Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Massachusetts, the University of Rochester, the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, Oregon State University, the University of Southern California, and Stanford University. This technology has come a long way with dialog and natural language understanding, machine learning, evidential and probabilistic reasoning, ontology and knowledge representation, planning, reasoning and service delegation.[10]

iPhone Application

Siri was launched first as an application available on Apple's App Store in the US. It integrated with services such as OpenTable[11], Google Maps[12], MovieTickets and TaxiMagic[13]. Using voice recognition technology from Nuance[14] and their service partners, users could make reservations at specific restaurants, buy movie tickets or get a cab by dictating instructions in natural language to Siri. Siri was acquired by Apple on April 28, 2010[15], and the original application ceased to function on October 15, 2011[16].

iOS integration

File:Iphone 4s marry siri.png
Siri is known for the ability to answer a variety of questions
Main article: iPhone 4S § Siri

On October 4, 2011, Apple introduced the iPhone 4S with their implementation of Siri.[17] The new version of Siri is integrated into iOS, and offers conversational interaction with many applications, including reminders, weather, stocks, messaging, email, calendar, contacts, notes, music, clocks, web browser, Wolfram Alpha, and maps.[2] Currently, Siri only supports English (US, UK, Australian), German and French,[18] and has limited functionality outside the US.[19]

File:Iphone 4S showing Siri.jpg
The Siri feature shown on a White iPhone 4S

After announcing that Siri is included with the iPhone 4S, Apple removed the existing Siri app (which ran on all iPhone models) from the App Store.[20]

Independent developers claim that they have ported Siri into the iPhone 4.[21][22] However, some news sites suggest that the videos posted by the developers as "proof" only show the user interface of the Siri software, and not the voice commands, implying that developers haven't been able to port the application with full functionality.[23] However, new reports from January 2012 suggest that independent developers have succeeded in porting Siri into the iPhone 4, iPod Touch, and iPad. Siriport.ru, a Russia based team, have demonstrated Siri working as intended on the iPhone 4, iPod Touch, and iPad, communicating with the Apple servers.[24]

In later January 2012, independent developers have successfully created and distributed a legal port of Siri to older devices that are not authorized to use it by Apple.[25] The port, however, requires you have special authorization keys from another iPhone 4S, and that this authorization be exploited in the form of a proxy server.

Research and development

Siri is a spin-out from the SRI International Artificial Intelligence Center, and is an offshoot of the DARPA-funded CALO project.[26][27]

Siri's primary technical areas focus on a Conversational Interface, Personal Context Awareness, and Service Delegation.[28]

Siri's speech recognition engine is thought to be provided by Nuance Communications, a speech technology company, although this has not been officially acknowledged by either Apple or Nuance.[29]

The United Kingdom male voice is called "Daniel" and is voiced by Jon Briggs, a former technology journalist who recorded “Daniel” for Scansoft, who merged with Nuance Communications, a company that works on Siri with Apple.[30]

The original Siri application relied upon a number of partners, including:

The sources in Apple's implementation of Siri differ from the original iPhone application. It integrates with default iOS functionality, such as contacts, calendars and text messages. It also supports search from Google, Bing, Yahoo, Wolfram Alpha and Wikipedia.[32] Siri also works with Google Maps and Yelp! search in the United States only.[33]

Reception

Siri was met with a very positive reaction for its ease of use and practicality, as well as its apparent "personality". Google’s executive chairman and former chief, Eric Schmidt, has conceded that Siri could pose a "competitive threat" to the company’s core search business.[34] Google generates a large portion of its revenue from clickable ad links returned in the context of searches. The threat comes from the fact that Siri is a non-visual medium, therefore not affording users with the opportunity to be exposed to the clickable ad links. Writing in The Guardian, journalist Charlie Brooker described Siri's tone as "servile" while also noting that it worked "annoyingly well."[35]

However, Siri was criticized by organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and NARAL Pro-Choice America after users found that it would not provide information about the location of birth control or abortion providers, sometimes directing users to anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers instead. Apple responded that this was a glitch which would be fixed in the final version.[36] It was suggested that abortion providers could not be found in a Siri search because they did not use "abortion" in their descriptions.[37] At the time the controversy arose, Siri would suggest locations to buy illegal drugs, hire a prostitute, or dump a corpse, but not find birth control or abortion services.[38] Apple responded that this behavior is not intentional and will improve as the product moves from beta to final product.[39]

Siri has not been well received by some English speakers with heavy accents, including Scottish and Americans from Boston or the south.[40][41] Apple's Siri FAQ states that, "as more people use Siri and it’s exposed to more variations of a language, its overall recognition of dialects and accents will continue to improve, and Siri will work even better."[42]

Despite many functions still requiring the use of the touchscreen, the National Federation of the Blind describes the iPhone as "the only fully accessible handset that a blind person can buy".[43]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Apple - Siri - Frequently Asked Questions". Apple Inc. 2011-10-04. Retrieved 2011-12-23.
  2. ^ a b "iPhone 4S - Ask Siri to help you get things done". Apple. Retrieved 2011-10-05.
  3. ^ April 28, 2010 (2010-04-28). "BREAKING NEWS: Siri bought by Apple". Scobleizer.com. Retrieved 2011-10-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Timothy Hay (2010-02-05). "Siri Inc. Launches 'Do Engine' Application For iPhone". Dow Jones Newswire. Retrieved 2011-10-09.
  5. ^ Darren Murph (2011-10-04). ""iPhone 4S hands-on!". Engadget. Retrieved 2011-10-09.
  6. ^ Jake Smith (2011-11-08). "Apple confirms Siri isn't coming to any other devices as of now | 9to5Mac | Apple Intelligence". 9to5Mac. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
  7. ^ Lardinois, Frederic (2008-10-13). "Semantic Stealth Startup Siri Raises $8.5 Million". Readwriteweb.com. Retrieved 2011-10-05.
  8. ^ A Personal Assistant on Your iPhone.
  9. ^ "Siri co-founder leaves Apple following iPhone 4S launch". AppleInsider. 2011-10-24. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
  10. ^ "Why is Siri important". Brian Roemmele. 2011-10-10. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
  11. ^ "Siri Personal Assistant: A Voice App That Lets You Speak to OpenTable". OpenTable date=2010-02-19. Retrieved 2011-12-23. {{cite web}}: Missing pipe in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ "Siri for iPhone is like the proverbial Genie in a bottle". TUAW. 2010-02-05. Retrieved 2011-12-23.
  13. ^ "Siri iPhone App Uses Speech-Recognition Technology To Organize Your Social Life". Gizmodo. 2010-02-05. Retrieved 2011-12-23.
  14. ^ "Siri: Your Personal Assistant for the Mobile Web". ReadWriteWeb. 2010-02-04. Retrieved 2011-12-23.
  15. ^ April 28, 2010 (2010-04-28). "BREAKING NEWS: Siri bought by Apple". Scobleizer.com. Retrieved 2011-10-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ "The Original Siri App Gets Pulled From The App Store, Servers To Be Killed". TechCrunch. 2011-10-04. Retrieved 2011-12-23.
  17. ^ Apple (2011-05-31). "Apple iPhone 4S event: as it happened". London: Telegraph. Retrieved 2011-10-05.
  18. ^ Viticci, Federico (2011-09-27). "Apple Officially Unveils Siri Voice Assistant – Supports English, French and German". Macstories.net. Retrieved 2011-10-05.
  19. ^ Viticci, Federico (2011-10-14). "There Are Some Siri Limitations Outside The US". Macstories.net. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
  20. ^ Danny Sullivan. "With New Siri Promised For iPhone 4S, Apple Pulls Existing Siri From App Store, and all existing Siri servers will be stopped on October 15th".
  21. ^ Mark Gurman (2011-10-14). "Siri voice command system ported from iPhone 4S to iPhone 4 (video) | 9to5Mac | Apple Intelligence". 9to5Mac. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
  22. ^ Ahmed Omar. "Siri Ported Successfully To The iPhone 4 (VIDEO)". Cydiahelp.com. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
  23. ^ "Un hacker irlandais prétend porter Siri sur iPhone 4". http://www.lemondeinformatique.fr. 2011-10-18. Retrieved 2011-10-23. Cependant, aucune des vidéos, celle de Steve Troughton-Smith ou celle de 9-to-5 Mac, ne montre Siri en action ou ne présente un utilisateur essayant d'interagir avec les commandes vocales de Siri (However, neither video shows Siri in action or does a user attempting to interact with voice commands Siri) {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ Mark Gurman. "Siri hacked to fully run on the iPhone 4 and iPod touch, iPhone 4S vs iPhone 4 Siri showdown video (interview) | 9to5Mac | Apple Intelligence". 9to5Mac. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
  25. ^ Perez, Sarah (27 December 2011). "Spire: A New Legal Siri Port For Any iOS 5 Device". Techcrunch. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  26. ^ ACM Transactions on Intelligent Systems and Technology (ACM TIST)
  27. ^ Berry, Pauline M.; Gervasio, Melinda; Peintner, Bart; Yorke-Smith, Neil (July 2011), "PTIME: Personalized assistance for calendaring", ACM TIST, 2 (4), doi:10.1145/1989734.1989744
  28. ^ "What is Siri? Apple's iPhone 4S assistant explained". 5 October 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
  29. ^ "Nuance Exec on iPhone 4S, Siri, and the Future of Speech". Tech.pinions. 10 October 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
  30. ^ Warman, Matt (10 November 2011). "The voice behind Siri breaks his silence". London: The Telegraph. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
  31. ^ "Apple Siri". Apple.com. Retrieved 2011-10-05.
  32. ^ "Apple - Siri - Frequently Asked Questions". Apple Inc. 2011-10-04. Retrieved 2011-12-23.
  33. ^ "Apple - Siri - Frequently Asked Questions". Apple Inc. 2011-10-04. Retrieved 2011-12-23.
  34. ^ Eric Schmidt (2011-11-07). "Google's Eric Schmidt: Apple's Siri could pose 'threat'". London: Telegraph. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
  35. ^ Brooker, Charlie (December 01, 2011). "Charlie Brooker: the dark side of our gadget addiction". The Guardian. London. Retrieved December 02, 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  36. ^ Howard, Greg; Voorhees, Josh (December 1, 2011). "Apple Says Siri's Abortion-Clinic Blind Spot Wasn't Intentional". Slate.
  37. ^ Wagner, Kyle (December 2, 2011). "Here's Why Siri Can't Find Abortion Clinics". Gizmodo.
  38. ^ Lynch, Brendan (December 4, 2011). "Apple sparks Siri-ous debate". Boston Herald.
  39. ^ Apple Says Siri's Abortion-Clinic Blind Spot Wasn't Intentional. Slate. Published 2011-12-01. Retrieved 2012-01-06.
  40. ^ Siri Lost in Translation with Heavy Accents. ABC News. Published 2011-10-28. Retrieved 2012-01-06.
  41. ^ Apple's Siri Dislikes Brits, Southerners. Discovery News. Published 2011-12-21. Retrieved 2012-01-06.
  42. ^ Apple - Siri - FAQ. Apple. Retrieved 2012-01-06.
  43. ^ New iPhone a breakthrough for blind people. Denver Post. Published 2011-10-14. Retrieved 2012-01-06.

External links

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