Siri to arrive on Apple’s iPad via iOS 6 in September

5 Jun 2012

The current iPad

Apple’s human voice interface Siri is coming to the iPad in the next version of Apple’s mobile operating system iOS 6. The new OS will also boast some features from OS X Mountain Lion, including the ‘Do Not Disturb’ feature for notifications.

While voice dictation features featured on the new iPad released in March, as we understand it, these were just a sliver of the technology inherent in Siri, allowing users to dictate without any search or organisational capabilities.

According to various reports, Siri will manifest itself on the new iPad only. It will occupy only a segment of the 9.7-inch screen rather than the full screen on the iPad.

Just like on the iPhone 4S, Siri will activate by pressing down on the home button.

Also on the way are Mountain Lion features, such as the innovative ‘Do Not Disturb’ function which allows you to silence notifications such as tweets, calendar updates, social media updates and more and peruse them later at your convenience.

According to 9to5Mac, Apple has been testing Siri for iOS on both the current-generation iPad and last year’s iPad 2 but the new iPad is likely to be the only tablet environment it will run on due to architecture design.

Apple to reveal 3D Maps and Facebook integration in iOS 6

iOS 6 is also expected to include a new in-house Maps application with 3D mode, a revamped iTunes Store, App Store and iBookstore. The 3D mapping feature is expected to be unveiled this week at a pre-WWDC event.

iOS 6 is expected to debut in September along with a new iPhone and potentially a mini iPad with a 7-inch screen, according to the rumour mill.

All may be revealed at Apple’s WWDC next week in San Francisco. Apple’s iOS is also expected to herald a greater understanding between Apple and like-minded social network Facebook.

iOS 6 is rumoured to include greater Facebook integration just as the iPhone 4S debut with iOS 5 saw considerable Twitter integration.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com