[gravypod]

This is the reason for me that closed source software [that does dubious things] is doomed to fail.

As users find out about things like this, and as it starts effecting them more and more, there will be an aura of distrust.

Currently, I'd say programmers or IT-related people are the only ones that care about this. But as soon as the consumer sees they need to pay 9k for something they already have? Closed source software is done for.

[rm_-rf_slash]

Echoes of the utopian infancy of the Internet. Only the tech community significantly cares about this stuff, most people couldn't be bothered with how the software is made as long as it works. Just like in previous generations of technology and capitalism, there will always be enough people who grumble and pull out their wallets to keep the profits flowing.

[gravypod]

When people have to fork over 9k, I'd bet they will start caring.

[preetbhinder]

Doesn't Apple already use this model? They deliberately disabled Siri on older iPhones to force users to upgrade their hardware.

[sxg]

I can't find any evidence to support your story. Do you have a source?

[bydo]

The third-party Siri, before Apple purchased the company, worked on any iPhone running the version of iOS it targeted. After the purchase it was relaunched as an integrated OS feature for the 4S and no longer available for older iPhones. Jailbroken older phones could reenable the feature.

The 4S did come with noise-cancelling microphones and an extra chip to support this; I believe the official line is that this hardware was required for Siri to work with sufficient reliability.

Edit: here's an article about jailbroken Siri: http://www.cultofmac.com/133196/fully-functional-siri-arrive...