New in OS X: Get MacRumors Push Notifications on your Mac

Resubscribe Now Close

Apple Considering Less Disruptive Siri Behavior in Future Version of iPadOS

Monday June 10, 2019 3:53 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Say "Hey Siri" when using an iPad, and Apple's virtual assistant will take over the entire display, obscuring whatever you were doing on the device. Say the same thing to your Mac, however, and Siri responds in a more multitasking-friendly way by appearing in a small window in the corner of the screen, allowing you to drag and drop retrieved items from it.

iPad concept of improved Siri behavior (image via iHelp BR)

This less disruptive, more functional implementation of Siri in macOS may well be coming to iPad, although it's unlikely to appear in the first version of iPadOS, which is due to be released this fall. The possibility was hinted at by Craig Federighi, Apple's VP of software engineering, in response to an email sent to him by Apple user Juliano Rossi.

Responding to Rossi's request that Siri on iPadOS behaves like on the Mac, without filling the entire screen, Federighi wrote:
"Hi Juliano,

Thanks for the note. Really glad that you enjoyed the keynote.

What you describe is certainly valid feedback. Unfortunately, it's not something we can add in at the last minute, but we will certainly consider it for the future.

Thanks for caring!

- craig"

As Federighi's response suggests, adding this less intrusive Siri behavior would require some significant changes to the OS, so it's not something that could be included at this late stage in software testing. But as Portuguese tech blog iHelp BR notes, it's at least good to know that Apple is aware of the legitimate request, which would bring iPadOS even closer to the macOS experience.

Apple often considers user feedback, but sometimes takes a while to act on it. For instance, the company eventually responded to multiple user requests that it change the volume level indicator in iOS. When pressing the volume buttons on iPhone or iPad running iOS 12 or earlier, the volume indicator displays in the center of the screen, obscuring content. As of iOS 13, coming this fall, the indicator is smaller and appears at the side of the display in a less intrusive manner.

Unveiled last week during Apple's WWDC keynote, iPadOS is designed to bring more desktop-class functionality to iPads with bigger screens. iPadOS will incorporate several features that recognize the tablet's function as a potential computer replacement, including a new Home screen, an updated Split View to enhance multitasking, and improved Apple Pencil support.

Related Roundups: iOS 13, iPadOS
[ 69 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

(View all)

Avatar
RosOne
10 weeks ago
This is how Siri should look on all devices
https://i.imgur.com/Dy7EiQQ.jpg
Rating: 23 Votes
Avatar
JimmyBanks6
10 weeks ago

They probably want to rethink some other things, not just moving it to a smaller window.
For instance, it would allow for a concept where Siri could pop in as an assistent (without getting summoned by you) to tell you something.
Likely they will do the same on the iPhone and move the screen-filling-call-pick-up screens to a smaller window as well.

Rating: 20 Votes
Avatar
bigcstyle4
10 weeks ago
They should do the same thing for incoming phone calls on iPhone.
Rating: 16 Votes
Avatar
lars666
10 weeks ago
Though I don't doubt that Apple will improve the Siri experience on iPad, making a story out of a standard "We'll consider this in the future" reply (which in most case simply is a polite way of companies to answer to customer wishes like these) seems questionable to me even as a "rumor" ...
Rating: 14 Votes
Avatar
jclardy
10 weeks ago
Siri and phone calls should both be downgraded to “notification” size UIs. There is no reason Siri should take up the entirety of a 12.9” screen - it is a voice based interface, it should work out of the way of whatever you are doing.
Rating: 10 Votes
Avatar
allenvanhellen
10 weeks ago
iPhone too, please. Sometimes I want to ask Siri something based on what I’m looking at, but can’t remember all the details and then can’t read them anymore once I’ve summoned her.
Rating: 10 Votes
Avatar
Khedron
10 weeks ago
iOS 14 will revolutionise user interaction and deliver a more streamlined Siri experience, just like iOS 13 did for volume.
Rating: 9 Votes
Avatar
Glockworkorange
10 weeks ago
How about a less aggressive auto correct?
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
Tech198
10 weeks ago
"As Federighi's response suggests, adding this less intrusive Siri behavior would require some significant changes to the OS"

Major change? it's only a frekin visual change, not a complete Siri overhaul
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
Jerion
10 weeks ago
A change like this isn’t so much about functionality as usability. A small notification-style panel means you can interact with Siri without losing the context of what you’re currently doing. It’s a no-brainer change to me.
Rating: 4 Votes

[ Read All Comments ]