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Why, Siri, Why?! Is a New Website (But There's Also a Big iPhone 4S Security Issue)
Image via Why, Siri, Why?!
From the people that brought you the pee-in-your-pants funny Damn You, Autocorrect site for all those iPhone texting hijinks comes the new site Why, Siri, Why?! which lets users submit screengrabs showing the goofy things the updated Apple iPhone 4S voice-activated "assistant" says.Siri is fun to take for a ride, for sure; over the weekend we not only asked it (her?) all sorts of questions for kicks using a friend's phone, and another Apple-product-lovin' pal sent over a few Siri laughs via text (just tell Siri you want a hooker, you'll see.). There's bound to be a few guffaws to be milked out of the fun new phone feature.
Not so fun, however, is word that employing Siri to make a call can override a vital security feature many people use on their iPhones, the passcode lock. It seems that when your phone is in "locked" mode, you can still make calls without unlocking the device with your 4-digit code.
Normally, to access your phone you would hit the home or power button, swipe the unlock arrow and then enter your four-digit passcode. In this case, tap the home button once, then hold it down to activate Siri. Alternately, you can simply hold down the home button and Siri will come to life asking “What can I help you with?” Simply say “Call [Contact]“. Siri will immediately access the phone’s contact database and present you with dialing options. We dialed a number and completed a call with no issue. Now, it’s important to note you can receive calls on both the iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S without unlocking the phone, so at least half this functionality is intended. On the other hand, this means anyone who finds your phone can access your contacts and perhaps look up phone numbers of your friends, family and business associates.
Was the locked mode override via Siri intentional? Apple has not said. Still, this leave some current and prospective iPhone 4S owners "Why, Apple, why?!"
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