Siri's Server?

[CosmoPilot]

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I've been using my new iP4S since Sunday. To be honest, I've probably spent a total of 45 minutes messing with Siri.

About 50% of the time, I get a "unable to connect to the server". Anyone else?

What sucks, is you even need the servers to dictate keyboard inputs. Unless I'm the only one with this issue, this is pretty lame. I know it's beta, but come on!

 

[saving107]

I have yet to use a dictation service that didn't require a server connection.

This is not an Apple/beta issue, this is just how dictation currently works at the moment for any company, get used to it.

 

[Phima256]

Server or phone?

I actually had this problem as well. My dictation barely worked on Sunday, but it has improved a bit (an indication that the overload from new users on the servers has subsided a bit?). My internet is having issues connecting at times, too. It is super fast, then maybe about the third page through, it slows or even stops. I don't know if this is a glitch with the phone or just server issues not in my power.

Other than that, though, I love the phone!

 

[CosmoPilot]

I haven't been able to use Siri or any dictation all day. Hard to believe the servers are still getting slammed.

 

[Phima256]

Hardware? Software issue?

Maybe there's an issue with a particular aspect of the phone? I had apple do a hardware diagnostic and they said the found nothing but I'm still having the problem as well, both on 3G and WiFi. Wonder if a certain batch had issues....? Wild and unfounded guess. They said they were more than willing to do further tests, but just in case it is in fact the overwhelmed servers, they said I can wait a bit.

It's a fantastic feature when it works. I just wonder if there are any out there where it has worked pretty flawlessly for them. Or not.. because that would tell us whether it is just the particular phone or a larger or more general characteristic.

 

[CosmoPilot]

Maybe there's an issue with a particular aspect of the phone? I had apple do a hardware diagnostic and they said the found nothing but I'm still having the problem as well, both on 3G and WiFi. Wonder if a certain batch had issues....? Wild and unfounded guess. They said they were more than willing to do further tests, but just in case it is in fact the overwhelmed servers, they said I can wait a bit.

It's a fantastic feature when it works. I just wonder if there are any out there where it has worked pretty flawlessly for them. Or not.. because that would tell us whether it is just the particular phone or a larger or more general characteristic.

When it has worked for me, it's been mind-blowing awesome. However, it becomes useless if it only works half the time. I hope they improve this beta soon.

 

[kevroc]

I just wonder if there are any out there where it has worked pretty flawlessly for them. Or not.. because that would tell us whether it is just the particular phone or a larger or more general characteristic.

I've been using it quite a bit, and it's been flawless, well 99.9% anyway. Way more accurate than I type.

Just one of many examples, I just got a text from my daughter asking if I'd pick her up in 1/2 hour. Using Siri, I replied "Reply Yes I can I'll see you at 4:30" followed by "send". Then, "Set an alarm for 4:20". Bingo.

I was on the phone earlier today with a client to schedule a meeting for tomorrow, but only if it doesn't rain. So I asked Siri, "What's the weather forecast tomorrow for Cranston, New Jersey". Worked perfectly (raining by the way).

I use "Check for new email" all the time. And I'm constantly experimenting with different phrases.

I'm really happy with it so far. It's hard not to want it to do more...the potential capability is staggering...

The fact that it's server based means they can collect phrases people are asking and make it more intelligent.

Another example...I just asked it for my schedule tomorrow, it answered with an appointment at 9am. I asked "Who's it with" and it replied with the correct answer. The fact that you can string together phrases and it keeps the context of your last answer relevant is really great.

I also use the create appointment and create reminder.

 

[CosmoPilot]

After turning Siri off then on, I did a phone power off cycle and now everything seems to be working well! Maybe it was just a glitch on my end.

 

[haruhiko]

I have yet to use a dictation service that didn't require a server connection.

This is not an Apple/beta issue, this is just how dictation currently works at the moment for any company, get used to it.

The 'move everything to the cloud' thing is sometimes getting too far away. I don't think it's so hard to move the dictation database back into the phone + delta updates from the server. There is a great computer inside everyone's pocket (the smartphone) to compute a response, it's not that hard for a ~1GHz-ish CPU.

 

[IcyStorm]

The 'move everything to the cloud' thing is sometimes getting too far away. I don't think it's so hard to move the dictation database back into the phone + delta updates from the server. There is a great computer inside everyone's pocket (the smartphone) to compute a response, it's not that hard for a ~1GHz-ish CPU.

That's what you think. And with many complaints about battery life, I think processing that stuff on our phones would only make that worse.

 

[DaIfoneboss]

you guys are bugging, its just the apple servers being overloaded by dumb inputs by alot of people just playing around with siri

 

[CosmoPilot]

you guys are bugging, its just the apple servers being overloaded by dumb inputs by alot of people just playing around with siri

You do know Apple is selling iPhones now for free on contract? How many more 'dumb' inputs will the servers deal with?

Apple would not release Siri if it weren't for primetime.

 

[mrsir2009]

The number of iPhone 4S users is only going to get bigger, so the servers are going to get more and more overloaded. The only solution is to increase the size of the Siri server farm - Hopefully thats what Apple will do.

 

[pdqgp]

You do know Apple is selling iPhones now for free on contract? How many more 'dumb' inputs will the servers deal with?

You do realize Siri and dictation are only with the 4s right?

 

[pdqgp]

Apple would not release Siri if it weren't for primetime.

By their own words it's Beta: Additional Information

Right from the Apple Website Tonight:
* Siri is available in beta only on iPhone 4S and requires Internet access. Siri may not be available in all languages or in all areas, and features may vary by area. Cellular data charges may apply.

 

[iWord]

Haven't got 4S yet. But it seemed Siri is all good.

 

[CosmoPilot]

By their own words it's Beta: Additional Information

Right from the Apple Website Tonight:
* Siri is available in beta only on iPhone 4S and requires Internet access. Siri may not be available in all languages or in all areas, and features may vary by area. Cellular data charges may apply.

I understand it's a beta, nobody follows Apple more than I. My point was, it is a major feature of the 4S...even demo'd at the unveiling. Apple's reputation is on the line with the millions of customers purchasing the 4S expecting it to work more often than not work. This is what I meant by primetime! Millions upon millions of Apple consumers will be testing this out. If the server is constantly down it will have a negative impact of the company as a whole.

Again, this is not an optional download from the app store. It is baked into the OS. If it weren't ready for the millions of customers to try it, Apple would not have shipped it out the door.

 

[pdqgp]

If it weren't ready for the millions of customers to try it, Apple would not have shipped it out the door.

You have more faith than most. Moot to me as Siri for me has been flawless and fast as hell.