A New York man is suing Apple over the Siri voice assistant feature on the iPhone 4S, saying that it doesn't work as advertised.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Frank M Fazio, who is being represented by the Robbins Geller law firm, alleges that Apple's iPhone 4S advertising gives a "misleading and deceptive message" about Siri’s capabilities.
Siri, Fazio says, is "at best, a work-in-progress", as it had either completely failed to understand his instructions or responded slowly and incorrectly when asked for directions or to locate a certain store.
iPhone 4S users in the UK will be familiar with this situation, as Siri can "only look for businesses in the United States, and when you're using US English". However, this has always been the case since the device launched - one of its key selling points in the US is that Siri can help you find locations.
As the lawsuit, filed in a federal court in California, attests: "In many of Apple’s television advertisements, individuals are shown using Siri to make appointments, find restaurants, and even learn the guitar chords to classic rock songs or how to tie a tie."
The full text of the complaint can be seen below.
Meanwhile, the Japanese language support brought to Siri by iOS 5.1 isn't working as well as hoped for some users, Kotaku reports.
In testing against Syabette Concier, a voice assistant service provided by network operator DoCoMo, Siri came a poor second.
"Aside from Siri's inabilities to interpret certain vague phrases or comprehend uncommon Japanese phrases, its loading time is far longer than the Syabette Concier. Not to mention how some reactions were very unnatural and rigid. It seems as though Siri is spread too thinly with so many languages to support at the same time," the report's author Toshitaka Tachibana wrote.
Earlier this week, Macworld reported that Tim Cook had responded to an Italian customer's email asking about Siri support for Italian with a promise that the feaure would be added before the year is out.
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Comments received
Mystified said on Tue, 13 Mar 2012
Every time Apple releases a product someone sues. Why do they bother? Are they just trying to make a name for themselves? Are they trolls? Siri, it aint perfect. So what. Google rarely finds what I want first go - should I sue them? As for Bing........
seige said on Tue, 13 Mar 2012
Once again, some idiot who hasn't read the manual—especially the part which says 'Beta'. The TV ads are, of course, glorified. As far as I can see, I can do most of what is advertised with Siri here in the UK. Siri works fine—when there's a web connection—and is NOT the only reason to upgrade to an iPhone 4s from an iPhone 4.
I just can't understand what this guy wanted? Or expected? Apple's advertising isn't so much misleading as it is aspirational.
terryb45 said on Tue, 13 Mar 2012
Just another troll trying for his 15 minutes of glory - " I took down Apple".
If something doesn't work properly I just take it back to the shop and get my money back.
Macdemon said on Tue, 13 Mar 2012
This bloke's an arsehole. Apple will win as they have a product theta works, maybe he need to properly pronunciate his vocabulary and stop mumbling.
He can's sue me for libel for calling him an arsehole, because it's true.
Baskaran said on Wed, 14 Mar 2012
Companies like Google just survive on 'Beta' concept for years and providing sub-par quality stuff earning someone else's money by stripping the advertisers. Apple provides more for less comparing the Samsung Google alliance phone which is just a "shit" in terms of quality and user experience. I bought so many "Windows" phones and got pissed off in hours. Once I converted to iPhone - I stay on this ECO system. No one forced me to stay - but I still stay on for what it provides for what I pay for.
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