“`html
Siri is falling behind. After a year of rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, with Amazon and Google both launching sophisticated GenAI voice assistants, Apple’s siri continues to struggle with even basic voice interactions.
A Voice Assistant That Needs a Second Device?
Teh core problem: siri frequently enough directs users back to their iPhones to complete tasks a voice assistant should handle independently.
I have several HomePod mini speakers around my house, primarily for my smart home setup.I appreciate features like seamlessly transferring calls and podcasts from my iPhone. I even use the HomePod mini as an alarm clock, but I often expect more from Siri than it delivers.
While Siri can answer broad questions – “Who directed The Godfather?” – more specific inquiries are often met with, “I found some web results, I can show them if you ask again from your iPhone.” For example, when I asked when the new film, the Sheep Detectives, would be released, Siri initially responded with a date from 1995. A second attempt suggested November 2026, and the third time, it simply told me to search on my phone.
Even Apple-related questions frequently enough result in this redirection. Asking about the release date of the next episode of Pluribus also prompted Siri to suggest checking my phone.The point of a voice assistant is to provide answers without requiring a separate device.
Alexa isn’t perfect, and occasionally struggles with questions, but it consistently outperforms Siri, answering the above queries without issue on the frist attempt.
Siri’s performance with smart home controls is similarly frustrating. I struggle to recall the precise phrasing needed to perform simple actions, like increasing the temperature in my bedroom, so I rarely use Siri for this purpose. It’s disappointing, considering the Apple Home app itself is well-designed, user-friendly, and excellent for creating automations – which I use extensively.
Where Is the intelligence in That?
I also encounter issues with multiple devices and users. If my iPhone is unlocked, Siri responds through that device rather than the nearby HomePod. Similarly,if my wife’s iPhone is unlocked,her phone takes precedence. This makes using the HomePod a matter of timing and coordination.
Siri can recognize different voices, but the process is cumbersome. When I ask Siri to add a reminder, it frequently enough first asks, “Who is speaking?” While sometimes Siri correctly identifies the speaker, it’s inconsistent.
Consequently, I primarily use Siri for basic tasks like setting alarms and playing music. It’s a shame,as the potential for a truly integrated smart home experience is there,but Siri simply isn’t delivering.
Why is Siri struggling? The core issue appears to be a lack of investment in the underlying AI technology compared to competitors. Google and Amazon have heavily invested in generative AI,allowing their assistants to handle more complex and nuanced requests
