This autumn, Siri might do more than just illuminate the edges of your iPhone with a rainbow glow when iOS 18 is released. While the full Apple Intelligence features won't be available until 2025 for those not testing the beta this year, it is reported that Siri will still receive updates to natural language processing, such as improved voice recognition and better understanding of complex commands, and other significant features before the end of the year.
Enhanced conversational abilities
One of the notable improvements is that you can type into Siri without navigating through accessibility settings. Siri is set to become more conversational, understanding your commands even if you stumble over your words. Mark Gurman highlighted these updates in his latest Power On newsletter for Bloomberg. He noted that Siri will “have greater knowledge of Apple products,” likely referring to device support features discussed during Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference keynote.
Customisable wake word
In another exciting development, iOS 18 beta testers can now customise Siri's wake word using a new feature called Vocal Shortcuts. This feature allows you to set any wake word you prefer, such as ‘Hey Siri' or ‘Hello Apple ‘, making it more convenient for you to interact with your device. However, this change does not extend to your HomePods. Importantly, the new wake word works even if “Hey Siri” is disabled in the current developer beta. This is particularly beneficial if you find your iPhone often activates when you're trying to communicate with your HomePod, as it reduces accidental activations.
Apple has also announced an intriguing addition to Siri's capabilities. ChatGPT will be available for free on iOS 18 later this year. However, Gurman notes that this feature may not be included in the first version of iOS 18. Once available, Siri will have the option to delegate requests it cannot handle to a GPT-4-powered ChatGPT, opening up a world of possibilities for your Siri interactions.
Future prospects
It remains to be seen whether these updates will significantly improve Siri's functionality, but there are encouraging signs that the digital assistant might finally meet user expectations. It is currently unclear if the upgraded Siri will be available on HomePods or on iPhones other than the iPhone 15 Pro. Ideally, Siri's improvements will be independent of the new generative AI features, allowing less advanced devices like the iPhone 15 and iPads without Apple's M-series chips to benefit from at least some of the upgrades. However, it's important to note that the full range of Siri's new features may only be available on the latest Apple devices.
