Siri, Apple’s voice assistant, has been a staple of iPhones for years. With the release of iOS 17, Apple claims that Siri is smarter than ever, boasting new features and capabilities. In this article, we’ll delve into a detailed comparison of Siri’s performance on both iOS 16 and iOS 17. Join us as we explore whether Siri truly lives up to the hype and if the latest update brings significant improvements.
The Test - Setting the Stage
Before we dive into the results, let’s set the stage for our comparison. We’ll be testing Siri on two identical iPhone 12 Minis, one running iOS 16 and the other running the developer beta of iOS 17. Throughout the testing process, we’ll explore various aspects of Siri’s functionality to determine if it has indeed become smarter in the latest update.
Test 1 - Siri vs. Hey Siri
One of the major changes touted by Apple is the ability to use a new, shorter trigger phrase for Siri. Previously, you had to say “Hey Siri,” but now a simple “Siri” should suffice. We’ll put this to the test and see if Siri can differentiate between commands and casual mentions of its name.
Test 2 - Can it tell when I'm speaking about it, rather than to it?
We’ll investigate whether Siri can distinguish between when you’re directly addressing it and when you’re merely mentioning its name in conversation, ensuring fewer false triggers.
Test 3 - Who are you? What can you do?
General intelligence is a crucial aspect of any voice assistant. We’ll ask Siri some questions to determine if there are any notable improvements in its overall knowledge.
Test 4 - Send a Message
iOS 17 claims to offer better control over how you send messages. We’ll explore this feature and see if Siri can efficiently handle messaging apps.
Test 5 - Back to Back Requests
The ability to handle back-to-back requests without interruption is an essential enhancement in any voice assistant. We’ll test this feature and assess Siri’s performance.
Test 6 - Read an article to me
In iOS 17, Siri should be capable of reading compatible articles aloud. We’ll put this feature to the test and see if it performs as expected.
Test 7 - Remind me about this
We’ll check if Siri can create reminders based on specific web pages or emails, a handy feature that’s been a bit unpredictable in previous versions.
Test 8 - Multiple Timers
Multiple timers and the ability to name them is a practical feature for cooking enthusiasts. We’ll see if iOS 17 finally brings this much-awaited improvement.
Test 9 - Access Settings
A smart voice assistant should be able to access all parts of the Settings menu. We’ll find out if Siri has made strides in this area.
Test 10 - Weather
We’ll try some weather-related questions to see if there have been any significant improvements in Siri’s weather information capabilities.
Test 11 - Directions
Navigational capabilities are essential for a voice assistant. We’ll evaluate Siri’s performance in providing directions.
Test 12 - Timezone Questions
Handling timezone queries is a valuable skill for any digital assistant. We’ll see if Siri has improved in this aspect.
Test 13 - Translate
Translation abilities are vital for users who interact in multiple languages. We’ll check if Siri’s translation feature has seen any improvements.
Test 14 - Show me photos of my pet
iOS 17 introduces pet identification, but can Siri use this feature to display pictures of your beloved pet?
Test 15 - Find me emails that mention the word...
We’ll explore Siri’s ability to search for specific words in your email inboxes.
In conclusion, while Siri has made some notable improvements in iOS 17, it still has a long way to go to compete with the top-tier AI-powered chatbots. With the ever-evolving technology landscape, we can only hope that future updates will bring more substantial advancements to Siri and elevate its intelligence to new heights.
