All of Siri’s iOS 16 updates are geared toward making your iPhone easier to use.
Siri, Apple’s built-in digital assistant, becomes better and better with each new release of iOS. Even if the focus appears to be different from previous versions to Apple’s iPhone software, iOS 16 is no exception.
Apple has been bragging about how much smarter Siri has gotten and how much more information she can tell you in recent iOS upgrades. However, Siri’s shift inward in iOS 16 gives it a distinct character. Digital assistant improvements this time around focused on making it easier for you to get the most out of your iPhone, whether it’s allowing shortcuts or improving dictation.
We’ll have to wait until the iOS 16 public beta is out in July to see if these additional Siri features make the iPhone easier to use. The iOS 16 developer beta, however, has given us more information about what Siri can accomplish in the new software, owing to user reports.
The most significant changes to Siri in iOS 16 are highlighted in the following gallery.
1. Use Siri to run shortcuts immediately
One of Apple’s most touted features is the ability to use Siri voice commands to run shortcuts for apps as soon as they’re installed. A shortcut is no longer required with iOS 16.
For users, this meant using the Shortcuts app to create their own automations, which was a pain given that app developers could use so-called “app intents” in their code. With the introduction of the new App Intents API, app developers now have more freedom to create shortcuts within their apps that are immediately available.
These ready-to-use shortcuts are what I’m interested in finding out about. App Shortcuts, a new component of the iOS 16 Shortcuts app, could be a feasible solution. It’s possible that Siri Suggestions will show up on your iPhone’s search screen, too.
2. Dictate emojis with Siri when composing messages
Emojis will no longer confuse Siri when you dictate messages in iOS 16, a technique that Android users with Pixel 6 phones already enjoy. Emotional expressions can be conveyed through the use of emoticons.
It’s not just emojis that Siri is able to deal with. End sentences with a period by using the digital assistant’s automatic punctuation features.
Both Messages and Mail can take advantage of the enhanced dictation capabilities now available.
3. Improved discovery for Siri’s skil
Because it’s difficult to grasp Siri’s capabilities, it’s one of my long-standing grievances about the digital assistant from Apple. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, it’s not always easy to recall all of Siri’s numerous features and capabilities.
Now you can ask Siri what she can do for you, thanks to a new feature in iOS. In select apps, you’ll be able to ask Siri, “Hey Siri, what can I do here?” to discover Siri’s capabilities. If all goes according to plan, this innovation should make Siri’s many functions much more transparent.
4. Hands-free hang-ups for phone calls
Using AirPods, Siri can notify you of incoming calls and even offer to answer the phone for you. You’re on your own when it comes to hanging up the phone when the call is over.
In iOS 16, phone calls can be made without the user having to touch their phone at all. Siri can now be instructed to end a phone call or a FaceTime session by just saying “Hang up.” As a possible drawback, anyone on the other end of the phone will be able to hear you telling Siri what to do. It appears that this is a Siri skill that should be reserved for only a few few uses.
5. Control more things with Siri offline
Even without internet or network connectivity, iPhones with sufficient computing power have been able to use Siri. Apps can be launched, playback can be controlled, and timers or alarms can be set.
IOS 16 expands the functions that Siri may accomplish even when it is not connected to the Internet. If you use HomeKit devices or intercom features, Siri will be able to respond to requests for home control. She will also be able to handle voicemail and notification requests offline. You’ll need an iPhone XS or later with an A12 Bionic chipset in order to use this feature.
6. Siri-powered accessibility features
While looking at the iOS 16 hidden features, we noticed that there would be an option to change the length of time Siri waits before responding to your commands. For people with speech impairments, the feature is a godsend, but it’s also useful for others who don’t like feeling rushed while they’re speaking to Siri.
One of the many accessibility features in iOS 16 that makes use of Siri is the ability to customize pause times. Siri will be able to announce notifications on your iPhone and iPad with the iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 updates if you have a Made for Apple hearing device.
You’ll be able to ask Siri to turn on or off the auto-answer option for phone calls and FaceTime requests as part of iOS 16’s increased mobility capabilities. We’ve already mentioned that Siri can be used to hang up phone calls, which is a useful feature for hands-free iPhone use.
7. Automatically send texts
Siri currently asks whether you’re ready to send a text message once you’ve dictated it into the assistant. When I’m driving, I use that as a safety net because Siri doesn’t always get my meaning right. However, in iOS 16, you can have Siri bypass this step if you want to send texts more quickly.
iOS 16’s Siri & Search settings will include an Automatically Send Messages toggle. It’s disabled by default, but you can always turn it on if you’re confident in Siri’s ability to deliver your message accurately. As long as you don’t have any further edits, Siri will immediately send that message to your inbox.
8. Siri tie-ins to other iOS 16 changes
When you’re on a road trip and need to stop for necessities like petrol or food, you can now add numerous stops to your itinerary with iOS 16 Maps. You can ask Siri to add a stop for you while you’re driving if you want to keep your hands free.
iOS 16 will be supported by Matter, a smart home connectivity standard that is pushing interoperability for smart devices after the fall release of the operating system. Siri will be able to operate eligible devices when Matter support is added to iOS 16.