How to use Siri to mediate a conversation between an iMac and a vintage Mac 512K

By Mariella Moon Published March 11, 2013

Mac 512 meets Siri — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Want to watch the second oldest Apple computer (it’s probably older than some of you reading this) talk to a modern iMac? Mac and iOS app developer Niles Mitchell made it possible for the old to meet the new thanks to an assortment of software, an AppleShare network, and the iPhone’s voice assistant Siri.

In a post on his website, Mitchell talked about his fascination for the Mac 512K – the second ever Apple Macintosh computer released in 1984. As its name implies, the 512K has a larger RAM than the original Mac 128K, and Mitchell took advantage of that small difference to make the 512K useful in a world where there’s an abundance of computers far more advanced. In this particular video (posted below), you can watch Mitchell use the old Speak program on the Mac 512K to relay orders to Siri. He also used the Speak program to command Siri to shut down his iMac that’s connected to his AppleShare network.

Recommended Videos

This is but the latest in his string of videos demonstrating how to make use of a 512K in a modern setting. Check out his website to see videos on how he connected the 512k with a Mac running Snow Leopard, an iPhone, an iPad, a scanner, and even a Nintendo 3DS.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Mariella loves working on both helpful and awe-inspiring science and technology stories. When she's not at her desk writing…

Computing

Hurry! This iMac is at its cheapest ever price right now

Apple iMac 24 inch placed on a desk in a sunny context.

One of the best desktop computer deals around today is a seriously great offer. Over at Best Buy, you can buy the iMac 24-inch M1 All-in-One with a Retina 4.5K screen for just $800. That’s a $450 reduction off its regular price of $1,250 which is remarkable value for an all-in-one desktop computer, especially a Mac-based one. If you’re looking for a stylish addition to your living space which is also a highly competent computer, this is your chance to do so for less. Here’s what it has to offer.

Why you should buy the iMac 24-inch M1
Apple makes some of the best all-in-one computers even though you might automatically think of its laptop range instead. The iMac 24-inch M1 is a truly gorgeous all-in-one desktop. It might be three years old now but thanks to how revolutionary the M1 chip was at the time, its performance is still exceptional. Apple wanted to demonstrate why developing its own silicon worked so well compared to using Intel processors, and it did so brilliantly here.

Computing

I need to change how I use Apple tech in 2024. Here’s how I’m going to do it

Blue Titanium iPhone 15 Pro showing Disney Emoji Blitz.

I’ve had Apple products for almost as long as I’ve been interested in tech, yet in all that time, I’ve never really put much thought into how I use my devices. But, like many people squinting bleary-eyed and hungover into the dawning of a new year, I’ve realized it’s about time I made some changes.

I’m a real book lover – letting me wander into a bookstore unaccompanied is intensely dangerous for my wallet – yet I’m barely making any progress on my reading backlog because I spend so much time on my iPhone. If I’m ever going to get through the reams of books lining my bookshelves, I’ve got to do things a little differently. And that’s what my 2024 New Year’s tech resolution is all about.
Not a blanket ban

Computing

Mac Studio vs. iMac vs. Mac mini: don’t make a mistake

The iMac screen on a desk.

In the last two years, Apple has released three new Mac desktop computers, all based on Apple Silicon, yet these systems are wildly different. The new Mac Studio sits at the top, with the iMac and Mac mini filling the lower tiers. Of course, there's the Mac Pro too, but we'll set that aside for now in this comparison.

In one sense, it's simple -- the most expensive model has the greatest performance. However, several thousand dollars might be wasted if it's meant to be used for tasks that wouldn't even stress the cheapest model, which is also quite speedy. More than that, some blurred lines between configurations of these Macs can make the decision more complicated. Here's what to consider when buying a new desktop Mac.
Start with the iMac