Apple’s Siri to Get a Major Update in iOS 17
Introduction
Apple’s digital assistant Siri is set to get a major update in iOS 17, according to a tweet from Bloomberg’s top man on the Apple beat, Mark Gurman. Gurman revealed that instead of using the “Hey Siri” wake phrase to activate Siri, users will just have to say “Siri” to get the old gal ready to take on your tasks, requests, and queries. In this article, we’ll discuss the details of this update and what else to expect from the upcoming WWDC event.
Google Assistant vs. Siri
In most tests, Google Assistant has been found to be better than Siri when it comes to understanding queries and tasks and delivering more accurate results. This is quite sad, considering that Apple had an advantage when it introduced Siri in the iPhone 4s back in 2011.
A Major Update for Siri
Gurman’s tweet suggests that Apple will take Siri ahead of Google in one important way. Instead of using the “Hey Siri” wake phrase to activate Siri, users will just have to say “Siri” to get a response. Gurman originally mentioned this update in November 2020.
Why Two Words?
Gurman previously explained that Apple needed to use two words to awaken Siri since it increased the chances that the signal would be received. “The complexity involves Siri being able to understand the singular phrase ‘Siri’ in multiple different accents and dialects. Having two words – ‘Hey Siri’ – increases the likelihood of the system properly picking up the signal,” Gurman wrote.
Interface Changes for Siri
According to tipster @analyst941, in iOS 17, the Siri interface will move from the bottom of the screen to the Dynamic Island. This change could be legit as all four iPhone 15 models are expected to sport the shape-shifting, multitasking, notifications system. It would prevent Siri from blocking some of the lower portions of an iPhone screen and streamline the assistant’s responses.
Where to Watch WWDC
WWDC takes place on June 5th, starting at 10 am PDT/1 pm EDT. You can watch the action as it is streamed live on the Apple Developer app (tap on the WWDC tab at the bottom of the screen). Alternatively, you can watch the live stream from the Apple channel on YouTube. With the latter, you can tap to be notified when the Keynote starts.
Conclusion
Apple’s Siri update in iOS 17 is exciting news for Apple fans. With the removal of the “Hey Siri” wake phrase, Siri will become more natural to use, and the interface changes will streamline the assistant’s responses. We look forward to seeing what other announcements Apple has in store for us at WWDC.
FAQs
1. When will the Siri update be available?
The Siri update will be available in iOS 17, which will likely be released in September 2022.
2. Will the Siri update work on older iPhones?
The Siri update should work on all iPhones that support iOS 17. However, older iPhones may not have the hardware to support all of Siri’s features.
3. Will the Siri interface change affect other parts of iOS?
The Siri interface change will only affect how Siri appears on the screen. It will not affect other parts of iOS.
4. Will Siri be able to understand all accents and dialects with the new update?
Siri will be better equipped to understand singular phrases like “Siri” in multiple different accents and dialects with the two-word wake phrase removed. However, there may still be some variations in accent and dialect that Siri cannot understand.
5. What other announcements can we expect from WWDC?
Apple is expected to announce updates to its operating systems, including iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. There may also be announcements regarding new hardware or services.
