Apple wants to give you new ways to communicate with Siri

By

Sorry, Alexa: Siri still the most widespread AI assistant
You may soon be able to access Siri inside Messages.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple wants to give users new ways to interact with Siri, according to a patent application published today.

The patent describes how users may be able to engage in text-based conversations with Siri using an app like Messages. This wouldn’t just be accessible to single users, but could also be drawn on by multiple users in a group chat, perhaps similar to the way that Google’s Gboard keyboard allows users to search without having to load up an app like Safari.

Apple’s “Intelligent automated assistant in a messaging environment” patent would also let users access Siri in scenarios where speaking to your phone isn’t an option, such as in meetings or noisy environments.

It would additionally let users scroll through past messages in chronological order in order to review past conversations with Siri. Right now, macOS lets users save Siri search results with just one click, although similar functionality isn’t available on iOS.

This could also mean Siri being made more useful by drawing on previous conversations with users, rather than deleting query threads every time a conversation is finished.

Finally, the patent application describes how a Siri implementation like this could open up new search modalities. For instance, users could paste images into chats and ask questions such as, “Who is in this picture?” or “Which company’s logo is this?”

Siri
How new Siri text-based communication might look.
Photo: USPTO/Apple

But will it happen?

As with all of Apple’s intriguing sounding patents or patent applications, it’s worth noting that there is no guarantee that this will actually become a thing, of course.

However, with Apple reportedly planing to launch a new standalone Siri as an Amazon Echo rival — possibly as soon as this year’s WWDC — it makes total sense that Apple would want to improve the functionality of an app that looks quite dated compared to many of its rivals.

Today’s patent application is far from the only example of this. Recently, another patent application described how Siri could be made to understand one user’s voice only — possibly as a way to more securely unlock devices with voice biometrics, or to confirm mobile payments.

Thanks to the Siri API, the latest WhatsApp update also added the ability to have Siri read aloud users’ WhatsApp messages.

Interestingly, the early third-party Siri app that Apple acquired prior to the iPhone 4s launched actually included more methods of communication, including text-based inputs. Based on my conversations with the original creators of Siri, this functionality was streamlined to voice-based communication on the order of Steve Jobs, who thought it could be too complex for users.

Around eight years later, however, we think it’s safe to assume that users are comfortable enough with AI assistants to see the technology move to the next level.

Source: USPTO
Via: Apple Insider

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.