Scott Forstall, senior VP of iOS, has already introduced us to iOS 6 at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). The new operating system has more than 200 new features to offer, and one of them is an updated version of Siri, the company’s most popular voice-recognition program.
The newly updated Siri makes the voice-recognition program more sports-friendly, movie-friendly, Twitter-friendly, iPad-friendly, and car-friendly (as many as nine automakers will be integrating it within the year).
“With iOS 6, Siri understands more languages, works in more countries, and is available on the new iPad. So you can get more things done in more places around the world. Want to know the latest scores and stats for your favorite teams and players? Thanks to iOS 6, Siri knows the answers,” says the Apple official page. “Or maybe it’s movie night. Siri can show you the latest reviews and showtimes. Find the best restaurants in town and make reservations. Even open your apps for you — no tapping required.”
Here’s a breakdown of what Siri will provide in every area.
Movies: Siri will now help you find the latest flicks by location or showtimes. Siri will also show you a movie trailer or a Rotten Tomatoes review if you are confused and unable to decide on a movie. Moreover, Siri will also let you find out when a film premiered, who directed it, and what awards it won.
Sports: Siri has an acute knowledge about baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and hockey. You can depend on Siri for game schedules, scores from the current season’s games, or up-to-the minute scores from live games. There is also an option to tell Siri to show you player stats and compare them against other players’ stats. It also tracks team records carefully so that you’ll always know how well your team is doing.
Social Networking (Facebook and Twitter): Siri has taken social networking to a whole new level. Now it is much more fun and easy. You can now update your Facebook status, post a comment on your Wall, or send a tweet by just using your voice rather than typing it down.
Apps: The updated version of Siri in iOS 6 lets you open apps with your voice. You can ask Siri to launch a host of apps including Facebook and Angry Birds.
Finding Restaurants: Siri is an effective way to locate restaurants and even generalizing them in order. You can ask Siri to find restaurants by cuisine, price, location, outdoor seating, or a combination of choices. Siri will show you a restaurant’s photos, Yelp stars, price range, and reviews. As soon as you find a place you like, you can ask Siri to make a reservation via the OpenTable app.
Road Safety: Apple is working with car manufacturers to integrate Siri into select voice control systems. Through the voice command button on your steering wheel, you’ll have the option to ask Siri questions without taking your eyes off the road. To add more safety less distractions, your iOS device’s screen won’t light up. With the new Eyes Free feature, you can ask Siri to call people, select and play music, hear and compose text messages, use Maps and get directions, read your notifications, find calendar information, add reminders, and more.
Additional Languages: Siri is now capable of understanding more languages and is optimized for as many as 15 countries around the world. The languages include: English and Spanish (America), English (UK), English (Australia), French, German, Japanese, English and Canadian French (Canada), Spanish, Spanish (Mexico), Italian, Italian, Swiss French, and Swiss German (Switzerland), Korean, Mandarin (The Republic of China), Cantonese (Hong Kong), Mandarin and Cantonese (The People’s Republic of China).
