![Apple’s Siri Says She’s Getting ‘Smarter’ at WWDC [Update]](https://www.macobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/siri-tease-la-la-la-wwdc-2018.jpg)
So far, Siri has revealed she will be getting a new voice, and she hinted at what may be a new HomePod. Perhaps most importantly, on one test, she told me she was getting smarter. [Updated with additional info.]
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Apple's New Accessibility Website Shows iPhone Features
The website is a great list of features, and a valuable resource. It’s a lot like Apple’s privacy page, where each feature is described in easy-to-understand language.
The Voice Assistant War: Alexa and Google Assistant Versus Siri
We’re still in the early stages of voice assistant technology so we can’t declare a winner yet, regardless of which you prefer. Based on what we’re seeing, however, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are putting Apple’s Siri in a serious catch up position.
Share Buybacks and Apple's Future, Same Old Facebook, Google Duplex - ACM 461
Warning, this one went long: Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet discuss what Apple’s share buybacks say about Apple’s future. They also weigh WhatsApp’s founder leaving Facebook, and what it says about Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg. They go over when diving into Google Duplex, a demonstration that was as awesome as it was devoid of real value.
Alexa's Lead in the Voice Assistant Market - TMO Daily Observations 2018-05-03
John Martellaro and Andrew Orr join Jeff Gamet to discuss Amazon Alexa’s apparent lead in the voice control platform game and how Apple’s Siri on HomePod fits in.
iOS: How to set a Siri Reminder to Remind you of Content in Apps
Like a regular reminder you can set it for a specific day and time.
HomePod Sales, Third-party Apple Watch Faces - TMO Daily Observations 2018-04-16
Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to look at the state of HomePod sales, plus they share their thoughts on third-party Apple Watch faces.
Apple TV: How to Toggle In and Out of a Movie's Letterbox Mode
The Apple TV’s Siri remote has a nifty feature that allows you to quickly switch between letterbox and full-screen mode.
Here’s How I Finally Accepted HomeKit is a Raging S*#t Storm
HomeKit has some great features, but some of its problems are big enough to push me back to Amazon’s Alexa for my smart home control.
macOS: Turning Off Calendar and Contacts Suggestions
Today’s Quick Tip is all about those grey suggestions in Calendar and Contacts that may be coming from other apps around your Mac. If you’ve made a flight reservation and see that event show up automatically on your calendar, that may be handy! But if you’d rather someone’s business phone number not get added to her contact card, for example, you may find the feature less helpful. We’ll tell you how to stop this from happening in either program!
There Are Ways of Talking to Your AI That Are Dangerous
The subject of how tempted we are to treat artificial intelligent entities as real human beings has some up once again.
Apple's HomePod Video Ad is in a Creative Rut
Apple’s HomePod video ad focuses on the old, tried and true. Takes few risks and is predictable. What happened?
Facebook's Tracking Secrets, Listener Comments - TMO Daily Observations 2018-03-09
Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to talk about how Facebook is really tracking you, and they respond to listener comments on Jeff’s idea that it’s time to drop “Hey” from “Hey Siri.”
Alexa's Creepy Laugh, Dropping Siri's 'Hey' - TMO Daily Observations 2018-03-08
John Martellaro and Andrew Orr join Jeff Gamet to offer their take on Amazon Alexa’s creepy laughing bug, plus they weigh in on Jeff’s idea that it’s time to drop “Hey” from “Hey Siri.”
Here's Why I'm Tired of Saying 'Hey Siri'
Saying “Hey Siri” is an awkward way to invoke Apple’s voice assistant platform. It’s time to drop the “Hey” and make talking to Siri feel more natural, like Amazon’s Alexa.
Paper Airplanes, Creepy Movie App Tracking, Voice Assistant Wars - ACM 452
In this episode, Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet geek out on paper airplanes, or more properly, powered paper airplanes! They also talk about MoviePass location tracking and the voice assistant wars (spoiler, not all home voice assistants are equal).
How to Listen to a Rain Storm on Your HomePod
Want to listen to a gentle rain storm on your HomePod or Amazon Echo to help you relax? It’s easy if you know what to say.
How to Manage Hey Siri With Multiple Apple Devices
HomePod responds to most Hey Siri requests, even if there are other capable devices nearby.
Apple Hires Michael Abbot, former Twitter VP of Engineering
Apple has reportedly hired Michael Abbott, former vice president of engineering for Twitter and venture capitalist.
iOS: How to Use Siri Hands Free From Your iPhone Lock Screen
Using Siri hands free with AirPods is great, but then I ran into a problem.
Study Shows Consumers don't Use Smart Speaker Voice Control for Much
Loup Ventures just released a survey on smart speaker owners and it has two interesting points: HomePod is already gaining marketshare, and people don’t use their smart speakers for very smart stuff.
How We Use Smart Speakers, the Future of Companion Robots - TMO Daily Observations 2018-02-23
Andrew Orr and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to look at a survey showing how consumer use their smart speakers, plus they talk about the future of companion robots.
How to Turn Off HomePod's Siri Light
If you don’t want a pulsing light on top of your HomePod every time you say, “Hey Siri,” here’s how to turn it off.
AirPods with 'Hey Siri' Support Coming this Year
Apple’s second generation AirPods are reportedly in the works and will include “Hey Siri” support instead of requiring a tap before giving voice commands.