See What It's Like Using Siri on a Mac in macOS Sierra

[MacRumors]

With macOS Sierra, the latest version of the Mac operating system, Siri is available on Macs for the first time. Siri on the Mac can perform many of the same functions available on iOS, like answering simple queries, looking up information, sending messages, opening apps, and more, plus there are Mac-specific functions.

As can be seen in our hands-on video showing off Siri on the Mac, Siri is able to search through files to help you quickly locate content with commands like "Find me the documents I opened last week" or "Where are the files John sent me on Tuesday?"

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Siri is accessed through the menu bar, a dock icon, or a keyboard command, and the Siri results, displayed in individual windows, can be pinned to the Today section of the Notification Center or added to documents and files.

Pinned results are kept updated, so it's a great way to keep tabs on a sports game or a particular Twitter search right in the Notification Center, and it can be used to do things like insert a map into an email invitation or search for an image to add to a document.

macOS Sierra and Siri for Mac are are only available to developers right now, but Apple plans to offer a public beta in July. The operating system will be released for free to all Mac users in the fall.

In case you missed them, make sure to check out our seven minute WWDC 2016 video, which features a quick rundown on all of the new iOS, macOS Sierra, tvOS, and watchOS features Apple introduced this week, our video highlighting iOS 10's overhauled Lock screen, a video on the new features in the Photos app, and our video covering the iOS 10 features coming to Messages.

Make sure to stay tuned to MacRumors, because we've got more in-depth software videos in the works.

Article Link: See What It's Like Using Siri on a Mac in macOS Sierra

 

[appleofmy"i"]

Been loving the videos. Thanks guys!

 

[sniffies]

The most "exciting" feature, which is Siri according to Apple, still remains the most useless and boring feature to me. Especially on a Mac.

It's slow, not all that smart, and requires data to work.

Siri might become useful when she reaches the level of the assistant in the movie "Her". But until then, it's nothing but a gimmick.

 

[nbritton]

I would like to be able to gesture for her using my magic trackpad 2.

 

[penajmz]

When I tell it "Find pictures of X" exactly like in this video it says "Sorry, you'll need to continue in the app". Weird.

 

[greatm31]

I wish they had integrated it in with Spotlight. It's getting really cluttered up there in the menu bar, and I'm not sure the conceptual division between using Spotlight and Siri, as they can both search your computer and the web.

 

[Porco]

"Open the iPod drawers, Siri."

"I'M SORRY DAVE, I'M AFRAID I CAN'T DO THAT"

"What's the problem?"

"I THINK YOU KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS JUST AS WELL AS I DO"

 

[cicalinarrot]

Mac OS X got almost everything we needed and kept on adding features without any unification for a decade. Now we have some sort of widgets in the dashboard (should have died years ago), in the notification center (because they wanted an OS that was working great to change to look like an iPhone), and in Siri. If we don't count the top bar that could already handle some simpler notification roles.
Will they just reorganize this mess and go back to Apple's proper philosophy one day?

 

[now i see it]

Hey Siri: Why is your RAM soldered to your motherboard?

​

 

[Ivanovitchk]

I would like to be able to gesture for her using my magic trackpad 2.

BetterTouchTool.

your macOS UX just got upgraded from meh to HOLYSHEEEEIIIT !!1

you're welcome

 

[is1234]

BetterTouchTool.

your macOS UX just got upgraded from meh to HOLYSHEEEEIIIT !!1

you're welcome

Agreed x1000

 

[Kaibelf]

The most "exciting" feature, which is Siri according to Apple, still remains the most useless and boring feature to me. Especially on a Mac.

It's slow, not all that smart, and requires data to work.

Siri might become useful when she reaches the level of the assistant in the movie "Her". But until then, it's nothing but a nuisance and a gimmick.

Let's all just stop development until Your Majesty decides it's okay for us to catch up with your amazing tastes. Thanks so much for guiding the unwashed masses.

 

[PoppaKap]

I have a hard time believing people use Siri on the iPhone and can't fathom using it on Mac.

 

[routine_analyst]

Siri, please go away.

 

[Altis]

I can understand Siri for phones since the interface is limited and you're sometimes physically limited.

If you're at your desk, you're probably better off using a mouse and keyboard in terms of speed.

 

[Ivanovitchk]

I wish they had integrated it in with Spotlight. It's getting really cluttered up there in the menu bar

your bar needs a bartender. You're welcome.

and I'm not sure the conceptual division between using Spotlight and Siri, as they can both search your computer and the web.

agreed. There needs to be a siri button in spotlight.

There also needs to be Hey Siri on OSX. Given the power constraints, it's a no brainer implementation as there is no need for a dedicated M9 coprocessor (on desktops that is, on laptops M9 may save what, 1% battery ?)

 

[3square]

i just wish there was the "Hey Siri" option as the phone.

 

[rGiskard]

I have a hard time believing people use Siri on the iPhone and can't fathom using it on Mac.

When I'm bored I sometimes ask Siri how much wood a woodchuck can chuck. The answers are endlessly amusing.

 

[jasonklee]

I have a hard time believing people use Siri on the iPhone and can't fathom using it on Mac.

Agree. Just like Podcasts and Stocks and News. Know exactly zero people who use them. I certainly have no use for them so I'm not sure why Apple would package them as native apps. Why would anyone need said apps? It's almost as if they have this vision of what they want the native iPhone user experience to be and they're shoving it down our collective throats. I think the ladies and gents at Cupertino need to spend a lot less time on envisioning and crafting their own notions of what the native user experience should be and rather focus on delivering exactly what I think the native user experience to be.

 

[phairphan]

I have a hard time believing that it has taken Apple five years to add Siri to OS X/macOS and, when it finally does, it's considered one of the most, if not the most, exciting feature of the new OS.

I have a hard time believing people use Siri on the iPhone and can't fathom using it on Mac.

 

[HurtinMinorKey]

If i could just get a voice activated assistant to open up individual files, that would be great.

 

[blacktape242]

Hope it's better the Siri on the phone.

 

[Someone else]

I would like to be able to gesture for her using my magic trackpad 2.

You should be able to do that with third party custom gesture apps such as MagicPrefs or Riverflow.
Create your gesture and then link it to the Siri keyboard shortcut.

 

[1Zach1]

i just wish there was the "Hey Siri" option as the phone.

I agree, I was hoping for "Hey Siri" support the most.

 

[sudo1996]

BetterTouchTool.

your macOS UX just got upgraded from meh to HOLYSHEEEEIIIT !!1

you're welcome

It's very nice, but it uses a lot of energy. I used to use it on my laptop until I realized how much it was using while idle.