Siri is useless

julienpdx wrote:

In my mind, it should not need to connect to any servers when I'm using basic voice commands (asking it to call someone for example). It has been very frustrating.

The natural language processing that is the underpinning of Siri is all done on remote servers. The iPhone just doesn't have the processing power for that. If you want basic voice commands that work even without a data connection, Voice Command is still an option on the iPhone. Because Voice Command only recognizes a very small set of words, it can run directly on the iPhone.

have you checked that all the Siri settings are correct? Maybe she's set to English (UK) and you're from the US. Or something like that...

I know many, many people who use it in a similar manner that Meg described. Just was with someone who set a reminder to bring an old phone to work with him.

Totally useless feature and as bad as the Apple TV junk.

I've found that the "There seems to have been a problem - try again?" response seems to come when there is trouble connecting to the servers. Sometimes they are down on Apple's end, sometimes maybe there is some kind of network traffic problem, sometimes I am on that last little bit of my home wifi--but it is really too weak, but the phone just won't let it go.

In the past I have had to put my phone in airplane mode for a few moments and then reconnect.

Also the rolling server blackouts seem to happen less often now that they have worked out some of the kinks.

So if you've tried restarting and/or making sure you are on either a good wifi/cell signal I would recommend taking it into the Apple Store.

Todd.Z wrote:

So, has anyone had anyluck getting Siri to ANYthing useful?? Is it just me an my immediate friends?

I use it for initiating most of my calls, replying to text messages, setting my alarm clock, finding out when sunset is (I don't like to run after dark). I've also got it set up so that any reminders I set up through Siri get dumped to my Remember The Milk account. Every once in a while, I have a problem with Siri but, I usually discover from the boards here that there was something going on with the servers. I have also discovered it doesn't work very well in a moving car with the windows down. The wind noise makes a hash of everything.

Do I wish it did more? Oh, yeah! Looking forward to the announced improvements with iOS 6. I also wish that Apple would open it up to other developers (not holding my breath) and I've submitted that feedback.

Todd

As much as I hate to say it, I have to agree with you. Siri seems to work "okay" when I'm in the most ideal of conditions (sitting still in a quiet room). But it fails miserably and too often when I'm in the car using it through my alllegedly-iPhone-compatible aftermarket car stereo and frequently fails when I'm traveling just because it can't connect to the servers. In my mind, it should not need to connect to any servers when I'm using basic voice commands (asking it to call someone for example). It has been very frustrating.

You have to sound more like Zooey Deschanel. It works perfectly for her and she's so dimwitted she has to ask Siri if it's raining outside even though she's standing right next to a window.

Todd.Z wrote:

If there were server issues, still means not ready for prime time / unfinished.

Yes, that's why it's called "Beta" software.