When the iPhone 4S was launched nearly two years ago, Apple introduced an assistant called the Siri voice control system to its customers. At the time which was not so long ago, Siri was a gimmicky feature at best, being released to the mass market with bugs, a highly-computerized voice, sluggish content loading, and unreliable/unpredictable servers. In addition, Siri of 2011 was short on user compatibility, only launching with knowledge of English, French, and German. Apple certainly did not deny the early issues with Siri: the company launched the product in “beta,” a tag that has remained on the software ever since.
Since 2011, Apple has been slowly improving the functionality and the service of its assistant. In early 2012, Siri gained support for Japanese, and with iOS 6 in late 2012, the service added support for several new languages and capabilities. With iOS 7, Siri has been given a redesigned user-interface, new functionality, and all-new voices. Many of the server errors and lengthy processing time issues that riddled the product in its early days have now disappeared; and it seems that Apple agrees. With the upcoming launch of iOS 7, it appears that Apple will finally be taking Siri out of “beta.”
Late this past week, Apple updated its Siri webpages to drop all references to the product being in beta. Prior to this past week, the bottom of the Siri informational page read:
Siri is available in Beta only on iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad with Retina display, iPad mini, and iPod touch (5th generation) and requires Internet access. Siri may not be available in all languages or in all areas, and features may vary by area. Cellular data charges may apply.
Now the page reads (dropping beta):
Siri is available on iPhone 4s or later, iPad with Retina display, iPad mini, and iPod touch (5th generation) and requires Internet access. Siri may not be available in all languages or in all areas, and features may vary by area. Cellular data charges may apply.
Additionally, Apple has removed its Siri FAQs website (Google Cache) that explained some of the finite details of the service and the supported languages. Because Siri seems to no longer be in beta, perhaps Apple feels that the service now performs well enough to not need an additional page of explanations.
The latest nine-speed transmission will be standard across the 2014 Range Rover Evoque lineup, which also received a number of other changes to help improve fuel economy and driving dynamics. Minor tweaks to the exterior styling are subtle while the British automaker has also added a stop-start system, which was previously unavailable on the automatic Evoque.
More fuel-saving technology that’s new include Active Driveline, which allows four-wheel-drive Evoques to operate in front-wheel drive above 22 mph. According to Range Rover, all the additions help improve fuel efficiency by as much as 11 percent compared to the 2013 model year. Inside, the 2014 Range Rover Evoque remains mostly unchanged though it will receive Land Rover’s new InControlTM system that enables the driver to trigger emergency calls automatically in the case of an accident.
Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling 780,000 crossovers and hybrid sedans for the second time to fix loose rear-suspension lower arms that could cause the threads to rust and wear out.
The recall covers 2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrids and 2006-11 Toyota RAV4 crossovers. The original recall for both vehicles was launched in November, but Toyota said it received reports from dealers that some vehicles experienced the same symptoms as before. Drivers reported hearing abnormal noises from the rear of the vehicles.
The automaker, in documents submitted to regulators, said wear on the threaded part of the arm could cause the arm to separate, which could result in the loss of vehicle control and a crash.
Toyota and Lexus sent similar letters to their dealers on Tuesday, Sept. 3, notifying them of the second recall. "Upon investigation, it was discovered that some inspections were not adequate and portions of the repair procedure may not have been performed correctly," the Toyota letter stated.
Toyota said it has revised the inspection and remedy procedures and is asking owners to go to dealerships to have the revised procedures performed.
But Toyota said that because of a shortage of replacement parts, owners will be notified in phases, depending on the model year and registered locations of the vehicles. Owners will be notified beginning this month , but vehicle repairs could come as late as mid-February 2014, Toyota said.
