Siri

Siri to get international location services in iOS 6

Siri users in the U.S. have had access to location-based services since the application launched last year. Elsewhere around the world, however, that hasn't been the case. But iOS 6 will change that.

Reddit posters using iOS 6 living abroad reported today that when they tried to use Siri for location-based service, like finding a restaurant nearby or locating a gas station, it worked. Killian Bell over at Cult of Mac confirmed those claims, saying that he tried it out with iOS 6 in the U.K. However, Bell reported that it wasn't as accurate as he … Read more

Apple fans, don't expect a Siri button in your car anytime soon

Among the deluge of new features Apple talked up in the keynote for WWDC, integrating Siri with cars, in conjunction with automakers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Honda, and GM, generated a lot of buzz. Siri has proved a popular voice command feature in the latest iOS, and so naturally users would want that functionality integrated into their cars.

But, knowing how the auto industry works, I was skeptical about a number of aspects of this announcement. I could not believe automakers would actually put dedicated buttons just for Siri in their cars. They would also not necessarily want to … Read more

A smartphone shopper's dilemma: Wait for the next iPhone or go Android 4.0?

Google and Apple have upped their game in 2012, and a new crop of smartphones running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and Apple's new iOS 6 will offer consumers a tough choice when it comes to choosing a new phone.

Apple isn't expected to launch the next iPhone until the fall. But the company gave a preview of what's to come with the unveiling of iOS 6 mobile software this week at its WWDC conference in San Francisco. From what I can tell, the new iPhone will give the current crop of Android 4.0 devices … Read more

The 404 1,072: Where we're broadcasting in Retina (podcast)

Apple hopefuls didn't get the Apple TV or desktop updates they were expecting, but yesterday's Worldwide Developers Conference certainly made things more exciting for iOS users and imaging professionals.

Apple announced a new Retina Display MacBook Pro with serious specs that won't mean a thing for the average consumer who doesn't need a quad-core processor, a solid-state drive, and discrete graphics to browse Reddit and send a few e-mails. Regardless, graphics editors will appreciate the updates even if Apple did inflate its statistics.

There are also a lot of updates to iOS 6 coming out this fall, and today we'll round up a few of our favorites.… Read more

How to install iOS 6 developer preview

During the WWDC keynote, Apple demoed several of the new features in iOS 6, including Facebook integration, the new Maps app, turn-by-turn directions, a "Do Not Disturb" feature for when you don't want to answer your phone, and several enhancements that make Siri "smarter." In total, iOS 6 brings more than 200 new features over iOS 5 and, with today's announcement, tons of app developers are flocking to Apple's iOS Dev Center to download the beta.

Before you can even think about installing the iOS 6 beta you'll need to have an … Read more

Apple shows smarter Siri, new MacBooks

Today's show has Mountain Lions, MacBooks and Siri, oh my!

Apple news overload at Monday's WWDC keynote presentation. Here's a quick summary of what you need to know.

Apple's next mobile software, iOS 6, will bring a few changes this Fall, including:

Video chatting on Facetime will be available on a cellular network, so no more Wi-Fi restrictions. Apple is launching its own Maps app with a 3D mode, called Flyover. It'll also have turn-by-turn directions, alert users to traffic issues and re-route accordingly. You can also ask Siri for directions. Siri is getting several upgrades, … Read more

What Siri's 'Eyes Free' feature means for cars

One of the newest Siri features isn't for the iPhone, but for vehicles that will integrate this natural language voice command service.

Apple announced today at its annual developer's conference, WWDC 2012, that several automakers have signed on to implement Siri's "Eyes Free" feature in their vehicles. BMW, General Motors, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, and Audi will enable drivers to integrate Siri with their vehicle's electronics system, and access the mobile assistant using a steering wheel button.

From the photo shown during the keynote address, it appears Siri--or Siri-like technology--could get its own button on … Read more

What iOS 6 tells us about the next iPhone

Apple's WWDC may not have resulted in an iPhone announcement, but it provided the next best thing: a detailed look at iOS 6.

It doesn't come out until the fall, and will only work on the iPhone 3GS and models after that, but a lot of iOS 6 features will be welcomed by any iPhone owner.

New versions of mobile software (be it iOS or Android) can often be as feature-packed and exciting as new phone models, and frequently kick a lot of new value down to older hardware.

The question is, can we look into the new features of iOS 6 to peer upstream at what Apple's next iPhone might be like? I'll try. Here are my best guesses.… Read more

Siri for iOS 6 versus Samsung Galaxy S III's S-Voice

You'll find a much more in-depth hands-on comparison of Siri versus S Voice here.

The Samsung Galaxy S III isn't quite out yet in the U.S., but already, its Siri-like voice assistant -- known as S-Voice -- has just been thrown into the deep, dark shadow of Apple's forthcoming Siri update.

In iOS 6, the next-generation of Siri will add a whole new bag of tricks, including the capability to launch apps, perform voice-activated Facebook and Twitter updates, and pull in sports scores and movie times. It will also make reservations through OpenTable and play you … Read more