Siri is Apple’s virtual assistant that turns ten in 2021. Since then, intentions to improve the update after the update have been good. However, competing participants have always been one step ahead of Apple, and Siri has always been one of the things that needs improvement in every major update. After WWDC 2021 where iOS and iPadOS 15 were unveiled, Tim Cook’s team attempted to show two of the best that will be integrated into Siri: the possibility of perform functions without an internet connection and the Outsourcing of the assistant to third-party products. But are these improvements sufficient? Or is it still a step behind the rest of the participants?
Siri offline and on third-party devices, enough improvements?
Apple wanted to devote time from its national developer conference to Siri, its virtual assistant. In fact, the assistant’s progress over the past year has been reported. However, there are plenty of comparisons on the internet where Siri is left behind by other assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant. But the key to understanding these improvements isn’t in the comparisons. but on the patent advancements that will be incorporated in iOS and iPadOS 15.
With iOS and iPadOS 15, an option that has been requested for years, almost since its launch in 2011, is realized. be able to invoke Siri actions without an internet connection since a connection with Apple’s servers is currently required to complete a request. In this way, the user will be able to perform daily actions without Internet access such as setting up reminders, opening or closing events, viewing device information, etc.
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This is achieved through internal processing of requests so Siri doesn’t need to compare the demand on their servers. However, not all is software in this function since Apple requires certain requirements to be able to use the assistant without Internet. First of all, it is necessary a posterior A12 Bionic o chip and downloading voice models. Finally, Apple also informs that it will only be available in German, Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, French, English and Japanese.
Apple opens the borders of its assistant and welcomes third-party products
Another novelty announced around the Cupertino virtual assistant is the Outsourcing Siri to Third Party Products. That is, being able to incorporate Siri into other non-Apple products, which was unimaginable a few years ago. To do this, Apple will meticulously study each case so as not to give in to irregularities or security breaches that could compromise user information.
Third-party products that wish to integrate Siri will need to be Compatible with HomeKit and works with the Home app on all Apple operating systems. Also, it’s likely that they might require a HomePod or HomePod mini as it’s likely that the HomePod would send the requests to the servers.
It is clear that all these advances have made it possible to raise the quality of Siri significantly. However, not all of the functions extrinsic to how the assistant works, but there is a long way to go to get there. fluency, immediacy, speech and context recognition and ease of use for the user.
