Latest news with #HeySiri
Mint
02-06-2025
- Mint
Siri Tricks: Unlock these hidden features to boost your iPhone experience today
If you own an iPhone, you likely use Siri for simple tasks like calling contacts or sending messages. But this Apple voice assistant can do much more than just handle basic commands. Since its introduction in 2011 with the iPhone 4s, Siri has evolved to offer several features that can help you save time and manage daily tasks efficiently. Here are some useful Siri tricks that you should try today to get more from your device. Before trying these tips, ensure Siri is activated on your iPhone. You can do this by going to Settings, selecting 'Siri & Search,' and enabling 'Listen for 'Hey Siri'' or 'Press Side Button for Siri,' depending on your model. If Siri often misunderstands you, retrain it to improve voice recognition. Open Settings, tap 'Siri & Search,' then 'Talk to Siri.' Toggle the option off and back on to start the voice training process. Follow the prompts by repeating the phrases shown on your screen. Speaking clearly and naturally during this step will help Siri respond more accurately. Siri sometimes mispronounces names from your contacts. You can fix this by teaching Siri the right pronunciation. When Siri says a name incorrectly, say, 'That's not how you pronounce [name].' Then open the Contacts app, select the person, tap 'Edit,' and add a 'Pronunciation' field under Notes. Enter the name phonetically. Siri will use this to pronounce names correctly from then on. Ask Siri for live sports scores, upcoming games, team schedules, or player stats. For example, say, 'When is the next Yankees game?' or 'What's the Golden State Warriors' schedule this week?' Siri will provide the latest details so you don't have to check apps or websites. If you want to keep track of where you parked, ask Siri to remember your car's location. Say, 'Remember where I parked my car' before leaving your vehicle. When you need to find it later, simply ask, 'Where did I park my car?' Siri will show the location on a map with directions. Siri can translate phrases into various languages without opening a separate app. Just say, 'Translate 'How are you?' to Spanish,' and Siri will display the translation immediately on your screen. This feature can help you communicate or understand foreign languages on the go. Siri can help you retrieve passwords stored in iCloud Keychain. Ask, 'Show me my Gmail password,' or 'Show me my bank password.' Siri will verify your identity using Face ID or Touch ID before displaying the saved passwords. This quick access can save time when logging in to apps or websites. If you use Apple AirTags to track items, you can ask Siri to find them when they are nearby. Say, 'Find my AirTag,' and Siri will guide you by showing directions or letting you know if the AirTag is within Bluetooth range.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Apple's $95M Siri settlement: How to check if you are eligible for a payment
Inc. has reached a $95 million settlement in a class action lawsuit involving claims that its Siri-enabled devices recorded users' private conversations without their knowledge or consent. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The lawsuit, originally filed in 2021, accused Apple of violating consumer privacy rights through unintended activations of the Siri voice assistant. While Apple has denied any wrongdoing, it has agreed to resolve the matter through a nationwide settlement affecting millions of users. The case, titled Lopez v. Apple Inc., is of major significance as it highlights growing concerns over the misuse of voice recognition technologies and the collection of personal data by smart devices. Consumers who owned or used Siri-enabled Apple products between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, may be eligible for compensation, pending final approval of the settlement. The settlement is currently awaiting final approval from a federal court, with a hearing scheduled for August 1, 2025. In the meantime, affected users are encouraged to review their eligibility and submit claims by the designated deadline. Here's a breakdown of everything consumers need to know. Apple faces lawsuit over Siri recording private conversations The class action lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California in March 2021. Plaintiffs alleged that Apple's Siri voice assistant was inadvertently activated during private conversations and recorded sensitive information. These recordings, according to the complaint, were allegedly shared with third parties, including contractors hired by Apple to help improve voice recognition accuracy. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The lawsuit cited a 2019 investigative report published by The Guardian, which revealed that Apple's contractors routinely overheard personal details, including medical discussions, business deals, and intimate interactions. Although Apple stated at the time that only a small subset of anonymized recordings was used for Siri improvement, the report raised major privacy concerns. Apple accused of monetising Siri recordings without consent The plaintiffs argued that the unintentional activation of Siri resulted in violations of privacy laws and consumer protection statutes. They alleged that: Private and confidential conversations were recorded without consent. These recordings were used to target users with personalized advertisements. Users were unaware their devices were listening, even without using the activation phrase "Hey Siri." Examples provided in the lawsuit included users seeing ads for products shortly after verbally discussing them, even without initiating a Siri command. The complaint claimed that the data captured through Siri was monetized in ways that were not disclosed to the users. Apple Siri users may be eligible for compensation: Check if you are eligible Consumers in the United States and its territories who meet the following conditions may be eligible for compensation under the proposed settlement: Owned or purchased a Siri-enabled Apple device between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024. Enabled Siri on that device. Experienced an unintended Siri activation during a confidential or private communication. Eligible claimants do not need to prove that their conversations were recorded, only that they used Siri-enabled devices during the specified time period and encountered unintended activations. iPhone, iPad, MacBook and more: Devices eligible for Siri privacy payout The settlement applies to a broad range of Apple products equipped with Siri. Eligible devices include: iPhones iPads Apple Watches MacBooks iMacs iPod Touches Apple TV streaming boxes HomePod smart speakers Claimants may submit requests for up to five devices per person. How much money will you get in the Apple's Siri settlement case According to the settlement website, eligible participants may receive up to $20 per device, but the final amount is subject to several factors, including: The total number of valid claims submitted. The number of devices claimed per individual. Court approval of the settlement and the absence of successful appeals. Since the settlement fund is capped at $95 million, the actual amount disbursed per device could be lower if a large number of claims are filed. Siri Settlement: How and when to file your claim by July 2025 Claimants have until July 2, 2025, to file their requests for compensation. There are two primary methods for submitting a claim: Online : Visit the official website: If you received a mailed or emailed notice, use the provided claim ID and confirmation code. If you did not receive a notice, you can still submit a claim using an alternative form on the site. : Visit the official website: Mail: A printable version of the form is available on the website and can be mailed to the address listed. Users also have the option to opt out of the settlement if they wish to retain the right to pursue individual legal action or object to the terms of the agreement. When will payments be sent The exact payment timeline depends on final court approval. The next hearing is scheduled for August 1, 2025, during which a judge will determine whether to finalize the settlement. If the settlement is approved without appeal, payments may be processed soon after the hearing. If the decision is appealed, disbursement of funds could be delayed by several months or longer. Users can stay updated on the status of the case by regularly visiting the official settlement website. Apple's response and position Apple has denied all allegations of wrongdoing and maintains that Siri is designed with user privacy in mind. The company stated that the purpose of any data collection is strictly to improve Siri's functionality and that audio recordings are only reviewed with user consent. Apple further emphasized that the settlement does not constitute an admission of liability. As part of broader efforts to enhance user trust, Apple has implemented new privacy measures in recent iOS updates, including on-device processing for certain Siri commands and greater transparency about how voice data is handled. Key deadlines to remember Claim submission deadline: July 2, 2025 Final approval hearing: August 1, 2025 Also read | Elon Musk was a Microsoft intern! He remembers it in conversation with Satya Nadella
The Print
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Print
My plea to automakers—I really want some buttons, it makes driving easier
The MG Windsor takes the lack of buttons to another level. For example, there is no dedicated button to control the outside rear-view mirrors. You can adjust them through the steering wheel-mounted controls, but it takes some time to know how to do that. Also, the vehicle has no headlight controls on the stalk; you have to adjust that through the infotainment screen. But, to be fair, you can keep that permanently on automatic. And then the most notorious non-button function, which is for the curtain under the panoramic roof. You instead use voice commands to open and close the roof curtain or struggle through the settings menu. And you know what is most frustrating, there is a blanked out portion where such a control would be. But I do have one serious gripe with this car, and to be fair, it isn't just directed at the Windsor EV. And that is the lack of physical buttons for functions. Call me old fashioned, but I like a physical button. A week ago, I found myself in Guwahati to drive the MG Windsor EV Pro, an updated version of India's best-selling electric vehicle. A bigger battery, thus more range and some Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features. The drive up to and down from Shillong was quite memorable as a result, without the need to be in a state of panic due to range. I genuinely like the Windsor EV, as does the Indian consumer. The first 8,000 units of the car, which had an introductory price tag of Rs 17.5 lakh, sold out in a day. Each brand has its idiosyncrasies. As more brands get button starts for their vehicles, there is no consistency whatsoever in where these are located. The MG Windsor EV doesn't even have a start button—you literally open the car, select 'Drive' and go. But only after wearing your seatbelt, because the MG Windsor EV does not release the electronic parking brake until you belt up. But as I said, the lack of physical buttons isn't unique to the Windsor EV, although that is the most extreme example. I also recently drove the new Kia Carens Clavis, which has a switchable touch panel for media and air-conditioning controls. Really cool feature, but again, I genuinely appreciate buttons for air-conditioning, which ironically the Windsor EV actually has. Also read: My Hong Kong visit was a reality check. XPENG has taken the first step for a 'flying car' Makes driving easier But why do I have this love affair with buttons? I'll tell you why I like buttons, because I like to control aspects of the vehicle by touch without taking my eyes off the road. And as used as I am to using my Amazon Echo device or saying 'Hey Siri', somehow using voice commands on a car is not something I've become used to. Maybe it is because I change cars so often, and different car brands have wildly different voice command abilities. That said, maybe I will change my habits. I have become used to mainly driving automatics and the increasing electronics onboard supercomputer-like cars. But even supercomputers have buttons. They feel deliberate, like you are doing an action. So my plea to automakers is quite simple: I love technology, but I really want some buttons. It just makes driving easier. @kushanmitra is an automotive journalist based in New Delhi. Views are personal. (Edited by Theres Sudeep)
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Distracted driving targeted by Iowa law
May 1—"OK Google," or "Hey Siri" may be heard a lot more frequently in vehicles beginning July 1 as Iowans will be prohibited from handheld cellphone usage while driving. Iowa is now the 31st state to institute a hands-free driving law after SF 22 was signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds April 2. "Thirty states across the country have passed lifesaving, hands-free legislation, and today Iowa became number 31," Reynolds said. "It's especially meaningful that we did so on April 2, exactly two years to the day Roland Taylor was tragically killed by a distracted driver. It was an honor to sign this bill in his memory and in memory of every Iowan lost to distracted driving." The bill is not limited to cellphones but any electronic devices, defined as, "a device that is powered by electricity, including by a battery, and that is capable of being used to compose, send, receive or read an electronic message, or that is capable of storing, retrieving on-demand or displaying videos, movies, broadcast television images, visual images or audio or video data files." In addition to cellphones, this would include digital assistants, computers, tablets and electronic gaming devices. Things physically or electronically integrated into the motor vehicle, like GPS, would not count. "Use" of the device includes, but is not limited to, holding, viewing or manipulating an electronic device. While the use of voice-activation or hands-free mode is encouraged, it still does not allow drivers to access video content, engage in video calls, accessing gaming data or reading a notification or message. Drivers will be allowed to use the device while at a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway. "Cellphones are a distraction. Anytime you take your eyes off the road to look at anything, it's a distraction — it's an issue," Union County Sheriff Brian Bolton said. "I remember telling my kids when they started driving that there's so much responsibility going into it. You're operating something that could easily take someone's life. You have to treat that with the utmost respect and caution." According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving claimed 3,275 lives in 2023. Of these fatal crashes, 286 were killed by distracted teens (15-19). "Parents first have to lead by example — by never driving distracted — as well as have a talk with their young driver about distraction and all of the responsibilities that come with driving," the NHTSA states. "Remind your teen driver that in states with graduated driver licensing (GDL), a violation of distracted-driving laws could mean a delayed or suspended license." In an IIHS survey of U.S. drivers, more than 20% of respondents reported engaging in at least one smartphone-based distraction, such as making video calls, watching videos or using social media, on most or all of their trips. Reynolds said Minnesota saw a 31% reduction in crashes one year after enacting its law and 25% in the second year. Even without causing an accident, distracted driving has an impact. "On the highways, it's constantly that we are running with lights and sirens behind someone distracted that doesn't see us; they don't get over," Bolton said. "It puts us at risk, it puts them at risk and takes more time for us to get to the person we are going to help." From July 1 to Dec. 31, law enforcement will be only issuing warnings for violating the hands-free driving law. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, a $100 citation could be imposed for the infraction.
Observer
10-03-2025
- Observer
Is your mobile phone listening to your conversations?
During a drive back from school, Balqees, a mother and her son, Abdullah, were planning to go to a restaurant. The two were speaking and wondering what should they eat and where should they go for lunch. Upon parking at a gas station at Shatti Al Qurum, Balqees picked up her phone only to see a variety of food options including the locations pop up as an advert on the screen of her mobile phone. Interesting but spooky isn't it? Similarly, Khalfan was searching for places to travel during Eid and was speaking to a travel agent for some vacation ideas in Thailand. Within a few hours, Khalfan opened his mobile phone and saw an ad customised with flights, accommodations and activities to do in Phuket, Thailand. Surprising but scary isn't it? Both Balqees and Khalfan spoke to me separately about their different incidents but had the same exact question, 'Are mobile phones listening to our conversations? 'I am sure this has happened to many of you, or at least with your loved ones. My article this week will try and shed some light on this growing concern. First things first — the mobile technology heavy weights companies, Apple for iPhone and Google for Android, have openly denied using their microphones to listen onto their customer conversations. Furthermore, both have strict privacy policies that prevent applications from accessing camera, microphone, location, photos and videos from gallery etc without explicit permission. You may notice this whenever you try downloading and installing applications via their respective app market (eg playstore for Google's Android platform, AppStore for Apple's platform iPhone/iPad). On the other hand, however, both of Apple and Google's Artificial Intelligence (AI) voice assistants apps (eg Siri and Google Assistant) would respond to you and offer services by simply starting by requesting for one using designated key words such as 'Hey Siri' for Apple, and 'Hey Google' for Android. I am pretty sure many of you have noticed this lately especially with the latest developments in AI space. Nashat, my wife, is fond of calling home using the words 'Hey Siri' and then 'Call home' while driving our car. Hmmm, the technology heavy weights both claim that they don't listen into our conversations, but they both technically have access to our microphone via the embedded stock AI voice assistance apps in our mobile phones. I have personally experienced the same with customised Ads I get via different apps I use. The customised ads are the result of websites I visit and searches I do, using the mobile phone. So what can we do to protect ourselves? Almost nothing or probably is a big challenge if one wants to continue living in a connected world and have access to information and services easily, conveniently and rapidly. Virtually everyday a new creative app, driven by some new form of technology (present heavily is AI), using your information, pops up and becomes popular and mainstream in a few span of hours. What fuels these apps is unfortunately your data (ie voice via microphone, video via camera, pictures via your gallery apps). About 6 years ago, during one of my cybersecurity sessions at one of the local banks here in Oman, I vividly stated that the word 'privacy' may no longer be valid at some stage of our lives. I see this pretty much a reality today. Scary, yes I agree. I will try and share some basic steps next week on some ways that can help with protecting oneself privacy. To conclude, is there someone listening to our conversations? There is no solid evidence or proof yet the technology is there and it is very possible as I had shared on my article today. I also recommend complementing this knowledge by reading my past article on Oman Observer on whether modern cars can spy on us. You will get additional insights on the same for your kind perusal. Until we catch up again, be positive and try to stay safe.
