An even better Siri
A large chunk of Apple’s keynote was taken up with the new, improved version of Siri. Powered by the next generation of its Apple Intelligence models (which now combines with Google’s Gemini technology) Siri AI will bring some advanced features to the platform when it arrives later this year.
The new models use two main information pools – Personal Context understanding (all the data stored on your iPhone) and Broad world knowledge (all it can draw from the web) – combining to provide a complete picture of what you’re looking for or want to do.
Thanks to deep integration into the OS itself, and in particular Apple apps like Mail, Messages and Photos, Siri AI will be able not only to answer questions in a conversational manner, but it can also monitor communications you have and then offer context-based actions.
Apple
Say you exchange a few emails with a friend about a potential meet-up. Siri AI can surmise from the text what’s going on, then offer to create a Calendar entry for the relevant time and date, all without you needing to ask for anything.
It should also be able to find photos or things mentioned in messages just by you asking it to track them down. For example, if someone sent you a message about a new TV show they thought you would like, but you can’t remember what it was, you can simply ask Siri AI ‘Hey, what TV show did Paul say I should watch?’, which will trigger a search through your conversations to find the answer.
In the demonstration, Apple also showed how the new Siri AI functionality works across multiple Apple applications. For instance, in one section we saw Siri AI being asked when a certain performer’s concert was coming up. Then, it was asked how to buy tickets, with the answer showing that there was a lottery draw. The demonstrator then told Siri AI to set a reminder for when the lottery would begin, while also playing a song from the artist in Apple Music. This was all seamlessly in the conversation, rather than a separate set of tasks.
In another example, Siri AI was asked where a contact’s new address was? This was found in a Message, then it was instructed to plot the journey there in Apple Maps, which it did without issue.
Apple
Other features include Call Context, where Siri will automatically bring any relevant information to your attention when you’re on a call with someone. So, if you call a builder you’ve arranged some work with, Siri will show you the emails exchanges and any other data it thinks you might need for the conversation.
There seems to be plenty of scope for the new Siri AI, and it will accessible either by the normal voice command, swiping down from the Dynamic Island or holding the Side Button for longer interactions. You’ll also be able to see all your previous interactions and conversations in the new dedicated Siri app, which syncs across all your Apple devices.
Ok, we’ve been burned in the past with Apple’s AI promises, but the focus on this year seems to be more on making the basics work well and that could be what most people actually want. One caveat is that due to an ongoing disagreement with the EU, countries in the Union won’t be able to get Siri AI on iPhone or iPad at launch.
