With iOS 10, Apple opened Siri to third-party developers with a public API, allowing the personal assistant to summon third-party services and apps hands-free.

Two of the first apps to make use of the new Siri SDK are WhatsApp Messenger and ride-hailing app Uber, both of which issued updates for their flagship apps this week.

uber-siri
Uber users can now hail a ride with a "Hey, Siri" command, followed by "Book me an Uber" or other variants. Apple has also allowed the ride-hailing service to be integrated into Apple Maps under a new Ride tab, where users can choose from a list of available drivers in the area. As pointed out by MacRumors readers, Lyft has also been updated to support both functions.

WhatsApp users meanwhile can now use Siri to dictate and send messages as well as initiate calls.

whatsapp-siri
WhatsApp also becomes one of the first third-party apps to make use of CallKit, Apple's new framework that enables VoIP calls to function in iOS 10 like FaceTime and regular cellular calls. VoIP service Viber also supports the feature.

After updating the app, incoming WhatsApp calls appear in the lock screen showing the caller's profile picture and the typical call response buttons. In addition, WhatsApp contacts are now integrated into the native Contacts app in iOS 10, and also appear in the Phone app's Favorites. The WhatsApp update includes a number of other enhancements, including the ability to forward multiple chats at once.

To enable Siri integration for the apps, users should go to Settings -> Siri -> App Support and toggle the relevant switches to the on position. Users should expect plenty more third-party Siri integrations to appear in the coming months.

WhatsApp Messenger is a free download for iPhone available on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Uber is a free download for iPhone and iPad available on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Lyft is a free download for iPhone and iPad available on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Viber is a free download for iPhone and iPad available on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Related Forum: iOS 10

Top Rated Comments

Harmonious Zen Avatar
98 months ago
Siri is going to be useless until I can feel like I don't have to memorize a list of commands in order for her to understand me. This is a step in that direction but still probably not enough.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kkspire Avatar
98 months ago
Lyft always get shafted for some reason. This was available with them the day after iOS 10 was realized. I know because I used it.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
foxconn Avatar
98 months ago
I hope that YouTube (google) start to cooperate with Siri app support, although I know that they have their own voice command embedded in their apps.
It would be very cool to ask Siri to show a specific video on YouTube.
"Hey Siri, can you ask google now to show me a YouTube video by..."
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mthomas184 Avatar
98 months ago
....even though Lyft released there's a day before Uber. But who's counting ;)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thisisnotmyname Avatar
98 months ago
Actually Lyft did it first but what do I know
Not picking on your comment specifically but I've noticed several "Lyft did it first" type posts. We're four days past iOS 10 release, do we really need to split hairs over who made it through the app store approval process first? I realize Lyft is the underdog here to the 800 lb Uber gorilla but one day faster to app store isn't something I'd be using to differentiate. Perhaps posts would be better served talking about your happiness that Lyft is using Siri integration due to being a fan of the company, it's culture, it's pricing, etc... If you are a big Lyft fan (I'm guessing those who notice a one day difference in app release dates are) then here's a chance to talk about *why* you are so found of their service and I'd bet being a day earlier to Siri integration isn't in your top ten of reasons.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vmistery Avatar
98 months ago
I'm sorry.... OH? Did you mean HO? Or is that a new shortening for something else?
Other half, thought it was a pretty common abbreviation?!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

reset password request iphone

Warning: Apple Users Targeted in Phishing Attack Involving Rapid Password Reset Requests

Tuesday March 26, 2024 4:34 pm PDT by
Phishing attacks taking advantage of Apple's password reset feature have become increasingly common, according to a report from KrebsOnSecurity. Multiple Apple users have been targeted in an attack that bombards them with an endless stream of notifications or multi-factor authentication (MFA) messages in an attempt to cause panic so they'll respond favorably to social engineering. An...
iPhone Home Screen Gradient Blank Spaces 1

Sources: iOS 18 Lets Apps Be Placed Anywhere on Home Screen Grid

Sunday March 24, 2024 1:33 pm PDT by
iOS 18 will give iPhone users greater control over Home Screen app icon arrangement, according to sources familiar with the matter. While app icons will likely remain locked to an invisible grid system on the Home Screen, to ensure there is some uniformity, our sources say that users will be able to arrange icons more freely on iOS 18. For example, we expect that the update will introduce...
iPad Pro 2024 Landscape Camera Feature

New iPad Pro Again Rumored to Feature Landscape Front-Facing Camera

Monday March 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
The next-generation iPad Pro will feature a landscape-oriented front-facing camera for the first time, according to the Apple leaker known as "Instant Digital." Instant Digital reiterated the design change earlier today on Weibo with a simple accompanying 2D image. The post reveals that the entire TrueDepth camera array will move to the right side of the device, while the microphone will...
maxresdefault

Apple Announces WWDC 2024 Event for June 10 to 14

Tuesday March 26, 2024 10:02 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its 35th annual Worldwide Developers Conference is set to take place from Monday, June 10 to Friday, June 14. As with WWDC events since 2020, WWDC 2024 will be an online event that is open to all developers at no cost. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. WWDC 2024 will include online sessions and labs so that developers can learn about new...
sonoma desktop wwdc

Apple Releases macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 With Fix for USB Hub Bug

Monday March 25, 2024 10:10 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS Sonoma 14.4.1, a minor update for the macOS Sonoma operating system that launched last September. macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 comes three weeks after macOS Sonoma 14.4. The ‌‌‌‌macOS Sonoma‌‌ 14.4‌.1 update can be downloaded for free on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Settings. There's also a macOS 13.6.6 release for those who...
apple maps 3d feature

Apple Maps May Gain Custom Routes With iOS 18

Tuesday March 26, 2024 3:10 pm PDT by
Apple may be planning to add support for "custom routes" in Apple Maps in iOS 18, according to code reviewed by MacRumors. Apple Maps does not currently offer a way to input self-selected routes, with Maps users limited to Apple's pre-selected options, but that may change in iOS 18. Apple has pushed an iOS 18 file to its maps backend labeled "CustomRouteCreation." While not much is revealed...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Purple

iOS 18 Will Finally Bring This Android Feature to iPhone

Monday March 25, 2024 6:42 am PDT by
iOS 18 will allow iPhone users to place app icons anywhere on the Home Screen grid, according to sources familiar with development of the software update. This basic feature has long been available on Android smartphones. While app icons will likely remain locked to an invisible grid system on the Home Screen, our sources said that users will be able to arrange icons more freely on iOS 18....
Generic iOS 18 Feature Purple

iOS 18: What to Expect From 'Biggest' Update in iPhone's History

Wednesday March 27, 2024 11:10 am PDT by
At least some Apple software engineers continue to believe that iOS 18 will be the "biggest" update in the iPhone's history, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Below, we recap rumored features and changes for the iPhone. "The iOS 18 update is expected to be the most ambitious overhaul of the iPhone's software in its history, according to people working on the upgrade," wrote Gurman, in a r...