Apple has unveiled a major upgrade to its Siri virtual assistant, promising a smoother, more intuitive user experience and enhanced practicality. This transformation is fueled by the integration of “Apple Intelligence”, a generative AI model that significantly elevates Siri's capabilities.
One of the most striking changes is the redesigned human-computer interface. Siri now responds with content-rich cards, and soft light effects enhance the device frame. This fresh design creates a more engaging and intuitive user experience.
Siri can now better understand conversation context, eliminating the need for users to repeat information. The “screen perception” function allows Siri to interpret on-screen content and suggest related actions. For instance, if a user needs to enter a driver’s license number on a form, Siri can automatically retrieve it from the electronic version.
The updated Siri supports direct voice commands, facilitating natural interaction. The “App Commands” feature enables deeper integration with Apple's own apps and third-party applications. For example, Siri can directly edit photos a user is browsing within the “Photos” app.
Siri boasts an expanded product knowledge base to assist users with device-related issues. For example, if a user asks, “How do I schedule a text message to be sent later?”, Siri can guide them to the new “Scheduled Delivery” feature in the iOS 18 Messages App.
A remarkable enhancement is Siri's ability to control individual app functions through voice commands. This feature is powered by large language models, a core technology of generative AI. Users can now manage specific features within apps without touching their devices. Siri can open ebooks, set camera timers, manage slide titles, and even unsubscribe from email newsletters. Organizing folders, tags, albums, and filters in the Notes and Photos apps is also simplified.
Apple has bolstered Siri’s AI-driven capabilities to handle a wider range of tasks. These include summarizing emails and threads, generating smart replies, sorting emails, transcribing text notes, editing photos, and summarizing websites and notifications. Managing digital life, from emails to photos and online content, becomes easier.
The Camera app has received notable upgrades, allowing voice control. Users can start and stop video recording, switch camera modes, set timers, and toggle between cameras using voice commands. The Photos app will introduce advanced AI-powered editing features akin to those on Google Pixel devices. Users will have the ability to remove objects from photos, apply AI-based filters, and search for photos based on people or animals.
Siri will be more deeply integrated with other apps, simplifying tasks like adjusting display brightness and managing home screens and the app library. The main Settings app has been redesigned for more intuitive access to Siri’s features.
Apple has confirmed a phased rollout of the new features, with more powerful capabilities added throughout iOS 18's lifespan. While the complete rollout will occur gradually over the next year, the enhanced Siri aims to rival other advanced digital assistants like Gemini.
This upgrade signifies a major step forward for Siri, making it a more natural, intuitive, and practical virtual assistant. The enhanced contextual understanding, screen perception, and deeper app integration promise a more seamless and efficient user experience. The new Siri is poised to become an even more powerful and versatile tool in the daily lives of users.