Tag: Siri

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Mobile Syrup

Apple rumoured to integrate Siri UI into Dynamic Island with iOS 17

Apple might integrate Siri into the iPhone’s ‘Dynamic Island‘ with the release of iOS 17. Since debuting on iPhone 14 Pro series, the tech giant has reportedly been looking at ways to support the new interactive notch better.

There’s been very little concrete information regarding iOS 17 ahead of Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in early June. However, one rumour from an anonymous analyst suggests Siri prompts will transition into the Dynamic Island. On Twitter, @analyst941 outlines how this could work in iOS 17.

When discussing the expansion of the Dynamic Island, @analyst941 says, “many more notifications will be used with Dynamic Island, as well as a new Siri UI is being tested with it.” They go on to clarify that “Apple may or may not go with the Dynamic Island version of Siri.” This leaves the possibility that Siri may remain in the current state Apple offers now.

As it stands, users activate Siri by uttering the phrase “Hey, Siri.” This wakes Siri up in the form of the sphere emblem at the bottom of the screen. Users can then ask the assistant a question, make commands and complete other actions. It remains to be seen how a transition over to Dynamic Island will improve or drastically change how users interact with Siri.

Integrating Siri into the Dynamic Island and its pill-shaped design could help consolidate more of Apple’s systems and features. A localized area of the screen where notifications, prompts, and Siri can be pulled from could provide more screen real estate to the user when activated.

However, these are just possibilities, and it’s important to note @analyst941 isn’t a well-known leaker, though they are an active MacRumors forums user.

We’ll likely have a more concrete idea of what Apple may have planned for Siri as WWDC 2023 draws closer. The conference kicks off on June 5th and runs until June 9th. At one point, it was believed that Apple would reveal its AR/VR headset during the event, but that might no longer be the case.

Source: @analyst941 Via: MacRumors

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Apple rumoured to integrate Siri UI into Dynamic Island with iOS 17

Apple might integrate Siri into the iPhone’s ‘Dynamic Island‘ with the release of iOS 17. Since debuting on iPhone 14 Pro series, the tech giant has reportedly been looking at ways to support the new interactive notch better.

There’s been very little concrete information regarding iOS 17 ahead of Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in early June. However, one rumour from an anonymous analyst suggests Siri prompts will transition into the Dynamic Island. On Twitter, @analyst941 outlines how this could work in iOS 17.

When discussing the expansion of the Dynamic Island, @analyst941 says, “many more notifications will be used with Dynamic Island, as well as a new Siri UI is being tested with it.” They go on to clarify that “Apple may or may not go with the Dynamic Island version of Siri.” This leaves the possibility that Siri may remain in the current state Apple offers now.

As it currently stands, users activate Siri by uttering the phrase “Hey, Siri.” This wakes Siri up in the form of the sphere emblem at the bottom of the screen. Users can then ask the assistant a question, make commands and complete other actions. It remains to be seen how a transition over to Dynamic Island will improve or drastically change how users interact with Siri.

Integrating Siri into the Dynamic Island and its pill-shaped design could help consolidate more of Apple’s systems and features. A localized area of the screen where notifications, prompts, and Siri can be pulled from could provide more screen real estate to the user when activated.

However, these are just possibilities, and it’s important to note @analyst941 isn’t a well-known leaker, though they are an active MacRumors forums user.

We’ll likely have a more concrete idea of what Apple may have planned for Siri as WWDC 2023 draws closer. The conference kicks off on June 5th and runs until June 9th. At one point, it was believed that Apple would reveal its AR/VR headset during the event, but that might no longer be the case.

Source: @analyst941 Via: MacRumors

Categories
Mobile Syrup

You can ask Siri to restart your iPhone or iPad with iOS 16

One of the small features that came along with iOS 16 is the ability for Siri to restart your device.

This works on iPads and iPhones, and if you’re like me and often forget that you need to hold down the Power and the Volume down to turn off a modern iPhone, this can help a lot. Now, whenever I hold down on the power button and Siri awakens, I can just ask it to restart my phone.

What does make this a bit annoying is that this is a two-step process. Once you ask Siri to restart the phone, it will ask you to confirm, and you’ll have to say “yes.” It’s fairly simple, but, strangely, the digital assistant can only restart the phone. If you ask to power down, it won’t do anything.

There were reports that Google would add something similar to Android in 2021, but so far, asking similar requests to my Pixel 6 does nothing.

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Apple’s ‘Hey Siri’ wake command could change to just ‘Siri’

Apple could be looking to shorten its voice-activated assistant’s wake phrase to just “Siri” from “Hey Siri,” according to a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

This means that to activate Siri, you’ll just need to say “Siri,” speeding up the process slightly. Gurman says that Apple has been working on this feature for the past few months and plans to release it in 2024.

According to the often-reliable source of Apple leaks, this shift requires a “significant amount of AI training and underlying engineering work,” since Siri now needs to respond to one word instead of two.

Amazon’s Alexa voice-activated assistant already works by saying just “Alexa,” and Google Assistant requires “Ok Google” or “Hey Google” to start listening.

Gurman also says that Apple plans to launch deeper Siri integration with third-party apps and services. The tech giant’s most recent update to Siri added several new voice options.

Along with Macs, iPhones and iPads, Siri is also available in Apple’s HomePod mini smart speaker.

Source: Bloomberg’s Via: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Siri has a new gender-neutral voice in iOS 15.4’s beta

Apple’s iOS 15.4 beta adds a new “American” voice listed as “Voice 5” to its Siri voice-activated assistant. However, iOS developer Steve Moser says that the new voice’s filename indicates that its actually called “Quinn.”

According to Axios, the new voice seems to aim to be more gender-neutral than other Siri voices and was recorded by a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Roughly a year ago, Apple added two new American Siri voices and moved away from using a feminine-sounding voice by default.

Below is a recording of the voice in action courtesy of The Verge’s Jon Porter.

“We’re excited to introduce a new Siri voice for English speakers, giving users more options to choose a voice that speaks to them,” said Apple in a statement to Axios regarding the new voice. “Millions of people around the world rely on Siri every day to help get things done, so we work to make the experience feel as personalized as possible.”

Though a subtle addition on Apple’s part, it makes sense that as voice-activated assistants become more popular companies will move to make them more inclusive and diverse.

Other iOS 15.4 beta features include Apple’s new AirTag privacy features. As always, just because Apple has added a feature to a beta version of its mobile OS, it doesn’t mean that it will get a public release. That said, the tech giant has a long history of eventually bringing developer and public beta features to the final version of updates.

Source: Axios, @JonPorty, @SteveMoser Via: The Verge 

Categories
Mobile Syrup

iOS 15.4 update will ask users to opt out of Siri recordings again

When iOS 15.4 drops later this year, users may see a prompt asking them if they want to help improve Siri by letting Apple review recordings after the update. The prompt’s re-emergence is the result of a bug that re-enabled the saving of Siri recordings for many users in iOS 15.

As explained by ZDNet, Apple found a bug in iOS 15 that turned on the setting to save Siri recordings for customers. After discovering the bug, Apple turned off the feature for several users in iOS 15.2 and deleted the erroneous recording. Apple explained the problem in a statement to ZDNet:

“With iOS 15.2, we turned off the Improve Siri & Dictation setting for many Siri users while we fixed a bug introduced with iOS 15. This bug inadvertently enabled the setting for a small portion of devices. Since identifying the bug, we stopped reviewing and are deleting audio received from all affected devices.”

That’s why the upcoming iOS 15.4 update will ask some users if they want to let Apple save Siri recordings again. While annoying that some users will need to adjust that setting again — Apple clearly has the ability to disable Siri recordings by default since it applied that in iOS 15.2 for impacted users — at least it will confirm for users whether they were hit with the bug.

iOS 15.4 is currently in beta and will likely roll out to users in the coming weeks.

Source: ZDNet

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Toronto-based Ecobee’s Smart Thermostat finally gets Siri access

After being shown off at Apple’s WWDC this past summer, Toronto-based Ecobee has finally launched its long-awaited Siri update for its SmartThermostat’s with voice control.

While Ecobee is the first company to take advantage of this new feature, it ideally means that more devices will start releasing that take advantage of Siri. The only catch is that you need a HomePod mini on the same network to process the requests.

This means that adding Siri to random smart home objects is possible, but it’s a lot more expensive and convoluted than when a device features Alexa or Google Assistant integration. Still, if you already have this particular smart thermostat and a HomePod mini, this is a welcome update.

The Verge says that the SmartThermostat’s Siri integration works great and is the same as having a Siri-capable device like a HomePod. The publication also notes that it’s hilarious to be able to AirPlay music through the tinny thermostat speaker.

The update is rolling out over the next two weeks, according to Ecobee. The company’s SmartThermostart with voice control costs $299 right now, while the HomePod mini costs $129.

Source: EcoBee Via: The Verge

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Potins

Carson Daly pays tribute to late mother on Thanksgiving

Carson Daly paid tribute to his late mother on Thanksgiving by making her sausage recipe.

The ‘Voice’ host took to Instagram yesterday (23.11.17) to share a picture of the instructions of how to make the special meaty product left by his mum, Pattie Caruso, who died of a heart attack aged 73 in September.

He captioned the image: "Deeply missing the smell of mom’s Jimmy Dean sausage as I woke up this am. Luckily, she left the family recipes for us. #Happy Thanksgiving #TomTurkey (sic)"

The 44-year-old TV presenter’s wife Siri also paid tribute to her late mother-in-law by sharing a picture of the recipe, and admitted she was "in charge" of the cooking this year.

She wrote: "Every year, Carson and I would wake up to the sound of pots and pans clinking and the smell of sausage frying. This year, I am in charge of "Kiki’s stuffing" and wishing I could ask her if I need more butter (the answer would be YES). So thankful for memories, family and dear friends. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! (sic)"

Carson took some time off from the ‘Today’ show following his mother’s death and posted an emotional tweet after her passing.

He wrote: "There are no words for the loss of mom. Thank u for the incredible outpouring of love. It helps. Please hug the ones you love most tonight. (sic)"

But just five months after his mum died, his stepfather Richard Caruso, also passed away following a battle with bone cancer.

Speaking about the double loss, he recently said: "She died at 73, but she lived a life passionately twice as much.

"I’m doing OK, you know. I’m healing – still in shock. A really rough loss. Nobody likes that phone to ring in the middle of the night to get that call."

"I have great faith, great family, incredible friends."