Siri Coming to the Mac Menu Bar in OS X 10.12 Later This Year

Wednesday February 24, 2016 7:22 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Siri will make its long-anticipated debut on Mac in OS X 10.12 later this year, following over three years of testing, according to 9to5Mac. The report claims Siri will have an icon in the OS X menu bar, and users will also be able to set a keyboard shortcut and configure other settings through System Preferences.

Siri-Mac-9to5mac
When a user clicks the Siri button, a dark, transparent Siri interface will appear in the top right corner of the screen, as shown in our mockup by Michael Steeber. This interface will feature colorful sound waves to indicate speech input. The interface design in testing is not finalized and may still change before the summer introduction, according to sources.
When the Mac is connected to power, users will also be able to make "Hey Siri" voice commands akin to the latest iPhones and iPads. Siri is expected to be one of the headline features of OS X 10.12, codenamed "Fuji," alongside other minor user interface tweaks. The changes will allegedly not be as significant as OS X Yosemite in 2014.

Apple launched Siri on the iPhone 4s in 2011, and it has since expanded the feature to select iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, and Apple Watch models. The virtual assistant can be used to make web searches, launch apps, look up sports scores, play music, check the weather, set calendar appointments, and more.

OS X 10.12 will likely be announced at WWDC in June ahead of a public launch in the fall.

Tags: Siri Guide, OS X 10.12
[ 240 comments ]

Top Rated Comments

(View all)

Avatar
_Refurbished_
51 months ago
I don't understand "Siri Coming to the Mac Menu Bar in OS X 10.12 Later This Year."
Let me do a web search for you.
Rating: 58 Votes
Avatar
TurboPGT!
51 months ago
Let me be the first to say, the easier the input method on the device, the less value I see for Siri.

AppleTV = most difficult for input = Best for Siri
iOS devices = modest input difficulty/speed = Good for Siri
Mac = easiest/fastest input via keyboard and mouse = less than ideal for Siri.

I'm not sure I see myself waiting on Siri, which takes forever most of the time, instead of just doing it. I'm already seated with my hands on the keys. It just doesn't fit with the application for Siri.
Rating: 37 Votes
Avatar
colmaclean
51 months ago
I wonder if Siri will hear me above the fan noise on my MBP2011.
Rating: 25 Votes
Avatar
nviz22
51 months ago
That's great. About time.
Rating: 24 Votes
Avatar
Corrode
51 months ago
When my iPhone 6s is on the desk next to my MacBook, will Siri activate on both devices? And will she not understand me on both devices?

So many questions.
Rating: 23 Votes
Avatar
moeafg
51 months ago
"Siri show me all the porns"
Rating: 18 Votes
Avatar
Sandstorm
51 months ago

Agreed, I use spotlight everyday all day long, but i don't need to see it up there. I just use cmd+space to activate it.

Are you all serious? That's what, 20x20 pixels? THIS is your problem with OS X? :D
Rating: 18 Votes
Avatar
ButteryScrollin
51 months ago

There are three buttons in that top right corner, I use only one.


i really want the ability to remove spotlight and NC from the menu bar.
Rating: 14 Votes
Avatar
owen.meredith
51 months ago
Finally! :eek:
Rating: 13 Votes
Avatar
oneMadRssn
51 months ago
The OS X menu bars lately look more cluttered than my grandpa's Windows XP taskbar on his installation that hasn't been reformatted in over 10 years.

I think the UI up there needs some fresh thinking and redesign. Every new feature cannot just be "let's add another icon!"
Rating: 13 Votes

[ Read All Comments ]