Siri

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Revision as of 00:45, 19 December 2011 by Kirb (talk | contribs) (Changing Server: new section; also removed cydia URL, not working)
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Siri is a voice assistant feature of the iPhone 4S and one of the main selling points for this device, although still in beta. A port to iPhone 4 and late model iPod touch has been completed by Template:Twitter with the help of chpwn.

Files

Siri is an integral part of iOS 5 for the iPhone4S. Files include:

  • /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/AssistantServices.framework
  • /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/AssistantUI.framework
  • /System/Library/Assistant
  • /System/Library/CoreServices/SpringBoard.app/Assistant*
  • /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.assistant*.plist
  • /Applications/Preferences.app/*Assistant.plist

Although other iOS 5 devices are capable of running Siri, they do not include the above files that are required for it to work.

An additional key in the capabilities section of /System/Library/CoreServices/SpringBoard.app/NxxAP.plist must be added for the device to enable Siri:

<key>assistant</key>
<true/>

Installation

The installation of Siri on other devices requires access to the iPhone 4S filesystem, to copy over the files above to a jailbroken device running iOS 5. Then assistant is enabled in the capabilities plist as above, and the device is rebooted.

Holding down the home button for a second should activate the Siri tray at the bottom of the screen, but saying anything will make it say it can't connect. This is due to the device requiring an identifier that the Siri servers generate every 24 hours for 4Ses. SiriProxy can overcome this if you have access to a 4S.

The stock assistant images from the 4S are only available in Retina size. On non-Retina devices (iPad and iPhone 3GS), this means many interface features may look different. The theme Siri Graphics for iPhone 3GS and iPad in Cydia fixes this.

Changing Server

The server that Siri sends its data through can be changed in a number of ways. One method is to use a DNS server, as demonstrated by plamoni.

An easier approach is to edit the com.apple.assistant.plist file in the device's /var/mobile/Library/Preferences folder. It can be changed either on a jailbroken device with iFile, or via an iPhone backup reading utility. The hostname string simply needs to be replaced with the URL of your SiriProxy (i.e. your computer's IP address). This method could also allow for your SiriProxy to work outside of your Wi-Fi network, if you set up forwarding for port 443 to your computer in your router, and use your external IP address. However, some routers don't do port forwarding inside of their network, so you would need to change this setting yourself when you arrive or leave home.

The /etc/hosts file on a jailbroken device can also be modified. This can also be used externally, like the above method.

References

See Also