Earlier this week, reports emerged that Apple was testing the currently iPhone 4S-exclusive Siri on other devices – mainly the iPhone 4. The report suggested that Apple could be bringing the voice assistant program to older devices – possibly even the 3GS or iPad.
Here’s what that rumor purported:
Currently, it only runs on the iPhone 4S, but Apple has given employees access to a special software version that incorporates Siri’s features on to older devices. Hackers and developers are currently working for a port, but if Apple releases this in a software update any time soon, they may not need to.
According to Apple, however, this simply isn’t happening.
This statement came in the form of a response to “a bug report, suggesting an optional build of iOS with Siri included, available as a paid upgrade.” Developer Michael Steeber provides Apple’s response:
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.
So there you go. Apple says explicitly that they have no plans to give your iPhone 3GS the power of Siri. And although Apple has failed to be entirely truthful in the past on certain issues, this should probably put this one to bed.
As we mentioned while discussing the original rumor, it seems strange that Apple would even be considering this. With no real design changes, Siri is one of the main draws of the new iPhone 4S. Making it available on other iPhone models would devalue their new device.
It looks like you’re going to have to go it alone, without Apple’s help if you want your 3GS to run Siri:
