Neil Hughes
Though it includes the same M9 motion coprocessor as the new iPhone 6s series, Apple's iPad Pro does not offer support for always-on "Hey Siri" voice controls when operating on battery power.
When the iPhone 6s launched, Apple said "Hey Siri" functionality was made possible by the M9 chip, which is integrated into the A9 processor. Promotional materials for the iPad Pro suggest that the M9 coprocessor is also integrated into the tablet's beefed-up A9X CPU.
Despite this, however, there is no support for "Hey Siri" to be actively listening in the background while the iPad Pro is unplugged. Digging into the iOS 9 Settings app, the iPad Pro indicates that users can use "Hey Siri" only when the device is connected to power.
This same capability can be found on past iPhones and iPads as well. The absence of always-on "Hey Siri" support in the iPad Pro means it remains exclusive to the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.
"Hey Siri" can also be used with the Apple Watch, but users must first raise their wrist to activate the screen before speaking.
The M9 chip also gives the iPhone 6s the ability to measure a user's walking or running pace when they exercise without the need for GPS — something that obviously serves no purpose in a large device like the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
Because it's integrated into the A9 series of processors, Apple says the M9 is more efficient than its predecessors. Apple's M-series chips handle all motion tracking capabilities for its iOS-based devices, via integrated gyroscopes and accelerometers.
Christine McKee
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Wesley Hilliard
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31 Comments
Apple has been doing exceedingly well with their feature removal lately! Removal of magnetic retainers on $2,300 iMacs in favor of double-sided tape. Removal of every single port on the latest MacBook in favor of a single USB-C connector. Removal of podcasts, Apple Remote, and Bluetooth keyboard support, and the optical audio output on the newest Apple TV. Removal of always-on "Hey Siri" on the iPad Pro. Hey - less is more, right?
Hey Siri hasn't been on an iPad.
[quote name="zroger73" url="/t/190086/ipad-pro-has-m9-motion-coprocessor-but-lacks-always-on-hey-siri-support#post_2804943"]Apple has been doing exceedingly well with their feature removal lately! Removal of magnetic retainers on $2,300 iMacs in favor of double-sided tape. Removal of every single port on the latest MacBook in favor of a single USB-C connector. Removal of podcasts, Apple Remote, and Bluetooth keyboard support, and the optical audio output on the newest Apple TV. Removal of always-on "Hey Siri" on the iPad Pro. Hey - less is more, right?[/quote] I agree completely. Before long we'll have iMacs with nothing other than a big Facebook button, no ports, no access to the system and everything potted in araldite. It'll only be 4mm thick at the edges though! It seems a very common complain with the iPad Pro is, it's just too restrictive with iOS. iOS is fine for a phone, but for a tablet it's nowhere near powerful enough considering the amazing hardware it's running on. With a pencil and 12" of screen space, I don't really see why you can't run a standard windowed OS, or at least some kind of hybrid OS X/iOS (not in the Windows 10 fashion however) that is actually powerful enough to use as a laptop replacement. Cue Sog35 desperately running to Apple's defence in 3...2...1...
How can something be removed from a product that didn't previously exist?
How can something be removed from a product that didn't previously exist?
And if it's an integral part of the M9 capabilities it's something that could be added in a future iOS integration. Perhaps once power consumption for usual users ITRW get some data (a guess on my part since an "always on" feature has to consume extra power of some magnitude...).