The latest iOS 5.1 beta 3 firmware reveals that Siri for iPad 2 might turn out to be a reality after all. It won't be a third-party port. It really is possible that Apple will bring Siri to their current tablet through the next major iOS update.
Up till now, countless people have tried to port Siri on non-iPhone 4S devices. Some have even proved to be successful. Yes there is a way to port Siri to older iOS devices, but the procedure is cumbersome and lengthy to say the least. However there's a different story about Siri for iPad 2. The fact is that both the iPhone 4S and iPad 2 have similar A5 processors. Given this similarity, it can be said that Apple just might bring Siri to the iPad 2 through a firmware upgrade.
The image posted above, courtesy of 9to5Mac, clearly shows a new menu related to Siri on the iPad 2. This discovery has been made after an iPad 2 was upgraded to the latest iOS 5.1 beta 3 firmware. Looking at this, it can be assumed that Siri for iPad 2 may see the light of the day. However it should be kept in mind that Apple doesn't exactly publicly release all the features it adds in beta firmware for developers to try out.
Be advised that this particular menu, Dictation and Privacy, only exists on iPad 2 running iOS 5.1 beta 3. This menu is not available on iPhone 4S running the same beta firmware. This anomaly gives rise to the speculation that Siri for iPad 2 might actually be Siri Dictation, and not the virtual assistant that everyone is longing for. There can also be a repercussion, per se, of bringing Siri on the iPad 2.
It has been reported numerous times that the iPad 3, which is due for launch in March 2012, will have the whole Siri package composed of Siri assistant and dictation. If Apple does release Siri for iPad 2 in an iOS update, the iPad 3 loses a major selling point. Also considering the fact that the iPad 3 is rumoured to keep its current shape, it's likely that many people won't prefer dropping another $499 at least for a tablet that looks and feels exactly like its predecessor.
At this point in time, we can only speculate. Do you think Apple will release Siri for iPad 2? Even if it does, what practicality will it bring to the tablet? Leave your creative responses in the comments section below.