One of the new features Apple introduced in iOS 12 is Siri Shortcuts. This allows users to make shortcuts that can perform multiple actions at once, like a macro. For example you could create a shortcut that lets you enter expenses without having to launch a separate app, all from a widget on your home screen.

Apple’s HomePod is the company’s take on the smart speaker which other companies such as Google and Amazon have helped to popularize. Unfortunately the availability of the HomePod is somewhat limited, meaning that Apple’s reach isn’t quite as long as they would like. However it seems that is set to change in 2019.

Apple does allow third-party voice assistants on its platform but they don’t get deep integration with the system. That’s served for Siri, Apple’s own voice assistant, even though its rivals are now capable of doing much more than it can. Google is now relying on a Siri feature to let iPhone users summon Assistant by simply asking the native voice assistant.

One of the problems with most digital assistants these days is that they require an internet connection to work. This is because a lot of the processing is done on remote servers (which also explains why our digital assistants are as responsive like what we see in the movies), which means that an internet connection is required.

As far as smart speakers are concerned, Apple’s HomePods are priced at the higher-end side of things, which isn’t surprising considering that Apple products are usually priced at a premium. However if you are hoping to get your hands on the HomePod but don’t want to pay full price, you’re in luck.

Siri shortcuts are now one of the best features iOS 12 has to offer. Of course, you need to ensure that you have the latest iOS version installed and also make sure that you have installed all the app updates available (if any) from the App Store to utilize 3rd party application shortcuts.

Apple’s HomePod is the company’s attempt to break into the smart speaker market that seems to be largely dominated by Amazon and Google. Now Apple has had success in the past in terms of disrupting the market, but it seems that the smart speaker market is one that Apple could be struggling in.

Our smartphones are supposed to help make our lives more efficient and easier, and this is why we’re starting to see how pretty much all companies start introducing ways to automate tasks on their devices and software. For example Google Assistant has its routines feature, and Siri has Siri Shortcuts.

One of the brand new features that Apple introduced in iOS 12 comes in the form of Siri Shortcuts. Basically these are actions that have been grouped together so that by speaking a single phrase to Siri, all those commands would be executed at once, kind of like a macro. For those who use Philips Hue smart lighting, it seems that the app now supports Siri Shortcuts.

One of the features of iOS 12 is the introduction of Siri Shortcuts. In a way you could think of this as being similar to Google Assistant Routines where users can add a bunch of actions and group them together under a single command, meaning that users could launch multiple actions at once.

One of the new features of iOS 12 is the introduction of a new app called Siri Shortcuts. Essentially this is similar to Google Assistant’s Routines which allows users to create custom shortcuts for certain tasks that can be activated with a spoke phrase. We expect that most of iOS’ native features will be supported, but what about third-party support?

Apple might be working on multi-user support for Siri, its digital personal assistant, if a new patent approval for the company is any indication. Apple has been granted a patent which details how a voice recognition system will be able to identify users based on their speech and then perform tasks by responding to their respective commands. It would vastly improve the Siri experience on devices like the HomePod speaker.

A report from earlier this month revealed that in a private beta testing of HomePod OS 12, it was discovered that Apple could be getting ready to launch a feature for the HomePod in which it would support making phone calls. For those wondering about it, you’ll be pleased to learn that the reports were true.

When you think of digital assistants, admittedly Siri might not be the first name that comes to mind. This is due to the fact that despite Siri sort of being the first digital assistant to be launched on modern day smartphones, it isn’t quite as accurate or as fast or as comprehensive compared to the competition.