What is Siri Shortcuts and How to Use them?
Apple launched a new updated version of Siri making it more powerful in iOS 12 and watch OS 5. This new feature let you automate some task over few commands. It makes Siri more interesting and effective.
You can do a series of tasks with one voice command. Like, tell Siri
that you are in a meeting and your assistant will set your phone to DND
for a specific time and take care of other things like display and
notifications. The shortcuts apps are available to download for iOS and
watch OS 5. To start with Siri shortcut, you need to install the app
first.
The shortcut appears the three places in your iOS device:
- Suggestions
- Siri app
- Shortcuts app
What is shortcuts app?
The app can be downloaded easily from the app store. There is an entire
set of templates or gallery for you to select and get started. You can
build your own routines or shortcuts with just a few steps. It works
based on “If This Then That”. This is the input-based program called
recipe to give you an output. Tell Siri that you want a reminder to do
something when you reach home. Siri will detect your location and will
remind you when you will reach home.
The gallery view has so many suggestions which you just can add, and
Siri will do that for you like adjusting brightness, heading home etc.
You can also combine multiple shortcuts to create a workflow.
To create the shortcuts, follow below steps:
- Open the app and go to the library
- Create a new shortcut
- Add actions in the editor
- Test your shortcut
You can also explore the gallery for the templates and when you find one as per your requirement you can simply use it.
Shortcut suggestions
To get the shortcut suggestion you just have to use your phone. Based on
your activities and recent apps uses, the system will show you
suggestions. This might offer you to go to the last app used and
complete something you left in middle. Siri will recognize your actions
based on your habit and will automatically start helping you.
Custom voice commands
Once you have created shortcuts and actions, you can add voice commands
for the shortcuts. You need to navigate to settings>> Siri
>> Add custom voice commands.
Select your action you want to add voice command for and click on the
plus icon. You will be taken to the pop up to enter the voice command.
Siri will listen to the command and add it to the shortcut. Later on
whenever you want to execute that action just speak louder and Siri will
do that for you.
While speaking command you need to take care that your voice is clear
and understandable. Siri will only recognize your voice and will perform
the task if it will be clear. So, this all depends on how you speak
with her.
Apple has launched pre-made shortcuts and so followed third-party
developers. There are multiple third party shortcut applications
available on play store for iPhone users. Some of them are:
- Trainline
- Pandora
- Skyguide
- Tile
- City mapper
- Weather channel
Apple is working on making Siri smarter day by day. The shortcuts app
will make things easier for iPhone user with the smarter than before
virtual assistant for them. There is a lot more in the shortcuts app
which user can explore and learn as per their requirement. This is one
of the underrated launches of Apple however it increased the user
experience in iPhone.