latest
Apple's MM1 language model could finally make Siri useful
Apple's MM1 language model could be developed in part to make Siri useful as part of the iPhone 16 series.
Apple has been quietly working on generative AI for quite a while now, with company CEO Tim Cook making the announcement in a recent earnings call. Nobody really knows what that means just yet, but a recent research paper published without much fanfare by engineers at the company can give us some clues. Apple's MM1 language model is a multimodal model with up to 30 billion parameters, and can also come packaged as a mixture of experts model (MoE) that goes up to 64 billion parameters.
Siri is infamous for its restrictions and lack of logical interpretation skills. While Apple's virtual assistant has gained some smarts throughout its lifetime, it still fails to compete with the likes of Google Assistant. And, now that even mightier AI-powered tools are available to the masses, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google Gemini, Siri's shortcomings have become even more apparent. To catch up with the competition, Siri could learn a few things from Microsoft Copilot, which continues to deliver advanced features that help users with everyday tasks.
Happy 12th birthday to Siri, the virtual assistant that changed the game
And it's grown up quite a bit since then
On this day in 2011, Siri, Apple's virtual assistant, was revealed to the world. It would then go on to launch on the latest iPhone at the time, the iPhone 4s. And while anybody on iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, macOS Sonoma, and even tvOS 17 can use Siri at this point, its initial release was rather limited. And it's come a long way since it was announced 12 years ago.
Siri could finally become a smart assistant next year
Apple is reportedly developing its own generative AI tools to catch up with its rivals.
When compared to its rivals, Apple has been lagging behind in the AI department. While Siri was a decent virtual assistant when it first launched in 2011, today it's noticeably limited when compared to Google Assistant. And although Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI continue to publicly develop more advanced tools in the generative AI department, Apple still doesn't have much to offer its consumers. This, however, could be changing as soon as next year.
5 reasons Siri is still a dumb assistant in 2023
Despite the general advances in Artificial Intelligence, Apple's Siri still falls behind when compared to some of its rivals, like Google Assistant.
In an era where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is claiming humans' jobs and writing decent articles, you'd think that these trained smarts are capable of having normal conversations. And many of them do, actually. Despite Google Assistant and Microsoft's AI-powered Bing having their own shortcomings, they're still excellent at maintaining context and understanding the message you're trying to convey. Meanwhile, for years now, Apple's Siri has been lagging behind. And while the great iPhone maker claims from time to time that its virtual assistant has become smarter, it's really challenging to tell the difference. In 2023, for several reasons, Siri is still a dumb assistant that many of us can't reliably depend on.
Can you use Google Assistant on a Mac?
Google Assistant is smarter and handier than Siri, so is there a way to use it on a Mac computer?
Apple products are famous for the tight ecosystem that brings them together. The company designs and builds both the hardware and software, unlocking seamless integrations in the process. This is how powerful Macs communicate with great iPhones on deep levels that rival manufacturers can't easily replicate.
How to delete voice history from Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple's Siri
Here's how to delete the history from your Voice Assistant be it Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri and clear all your saved recordings.
Over the past few years, voice assistants have become quite common in households. Of course, all modern phones come with one built-in, and even smart speakers have gained popularity. A Nest speaker, an Amazon Echo, or an Apple Homepod can be found in quite a lot of households these days. While it's extremely convenient to use your voice to perform tasks, one of the biggest concerns with an always-on microphone is privacy. These assistants listen to you and store your queries to improve accuracy, and while that may sound beneficial, you may not want certain sensitive data to be saved. This is why deleting your assistant's voice history from time to time is a good idea. Here's how you can delete your voice history from Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri using a few simple steps.
How to change the voice and accent Siri uses on your iPhone
Are you bored of the way Siri sounds on your iPhone? Here's a step-by-step guide on how to change its voice and accent on iOS.
Siri is the virtual assistant that lives in some of the greatest iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Despite it not being as smart or helpful as Google Assistant, it still can come in handy for basic tasks and questions. Depending on your iPhone model, you can either trigger it by pressing and holding on the Side or Home buttons. Of course, you also get to enable the Hey Siri voice command for a hands-free experience. When you first set up your iPhone, iOS asks you to choose a voice for Siri. However, sometimes we get bored of or annoyed by our past decisions. Fortunately for all of us, you can indeed change the voice and accent Siri uses on your iPhone. Here are the detailed steps you need to follow to change these settings on iOS.
You don't need AirPods to have Siri announce notifications on iOS 16
iOS 16 allows users to have Siri announce notifications through the device speaker. The feature had been exclusive to specific headphones.
Apple sometimes intentionally resorts to software exclusivities to make its devices more appealing. After all, many users feel pressured to upgrade to get their hands on the latest and greatest features. For example, prior to iOS 16, the Fitness app and its social features were exclusive to Apple Watch users. Those who wanted to compete with their friends through this app had to buy the company's wearable. The Cupertino overlord revised its decision in iOS 16 and made Fitness available for all iPhone users. Though, this major update to the iPhone doesn't only fix that. On previous versions, having Siri announce notifications required compatible Beats or AirPods models. iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 change that.
Tidal adds Siri integration but stops short of HomePod Mini support
If you both own an iPhone and subscribe to Tidal then you're going to be very happy with the latest update. Just ask Siri.
As the best smart speakers prove, we love controlling our music with our voices. It's a popular feature on mobile, too, especially on the go with a pair of wireless earbuds. In the case of the iPhone, Apple Music is, naturally, fully supported for voice control. But elsewhere the story hasn't been quite so good. But now, Tidal fans have cause for celebration as their long quest is at an end.
Nothing Ear (1) receives Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri support
In a blog post earlier today, Nothing revealed that Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri are now available on the Ear (1). Read on.
The Nothing Ear (1) is a fantastic pair of truly wireless earbuds. Their unique transparent design sets them apart from the competition. And that, combined with great sound quality, ANC, and an affordable price tag, make them one of the best budget TWS earphones on the market. However, the earphones do miss out on one important feature: Google Assistant support. While Nothing originally said it had no plans to add voice assistant support, it seems to be having a change of heart.
Apple's smart home vision is getting more cohesive and interconnected
Apple has announced new updates for HomeKit and its smart home devices, along with support for Matter and Siri for third-party accessories.
Apple has announced it will support the new industry interoperability standard called Matter to offer a more cohesive and interconnected smart home experience to users. Support for Matter will go live in iOS 15 later this year, and users will be able to control all connected devices using the Home app. Google and other leading smart home vendors have also recently announced support for the Matter initiative.
Apple releases iOS 14.5 with App Tracking Transparency and more
After several week of testing, Apple on Monday finally released iOS 14.5 with App Tracking Transparency and mask unlock features.
After several week of testing, Apple on Monday finally released iOS 14.5. The new software arrives in time for the launch of Apple’s new AirTags, but the release is much bigger than that. In fact, it’s one of the company’s most important mid-cycle updates ever.
Siri prematurely reveals Apple's next event is on April 20
Apple is going to host its next launch event on April 20 where it is expected to announce a new range of iPad Pro alongside more products.
We finally have a date for Apple’s upcoming event. Mark your calendars as the company is expected to announce its new line of products on April 20. The official invite has not been shared by Apple yet, but the company’s voice assistant, Siri, has prematurely revealed the launch event date. It is expected that Apple will launch a new set of iPad Pro models alongside the AirTags trackers and possibly the new AirPods 3.
Apple adds two new Siri voices to iOS, no longer defaults to female-sounding option
The latest beta of iOS 14.5 has introduced two new voices for Siri, and also no longer defaults to a female-sounding option.
Apple’s iOS will no longer default to a female voice for Siri, instead allowing users to pick between male and female when setting up their device. The change was spotted in the sixth beta of iOS 14.5, which also features two new voices for Apple’s voice assistant.