Apple Launches Beta Version of New Siri Shortcuts App for iOS 12

[Shpyda]

Regarding the notion that the Shortcuts app might allow Siri to control the Nest thermostat - Do you think Apple will control this type of use as they want anything pertaining to smart home control to be handled securely through the Home app? Would Nest or any company for that matter continue to seek Homekit compatibility if they are able to provide all of the functionality through the use of shortcuts?

Just something I've been curious about.

 

[Rogifan]

Wow, way too much going on in that app. It certainly doesn’t „just work“. Ain’t got no time for that. It’s sort of like those games that require a half hour introduction. Instant delete.



No and rightly so they don’t. It should just work. It’s not my job to almost require a computer science degree (exaggeration) to teach Siri skills. It should just know it. Otherwise I don’t need an assistant, like in the real world almost.

Oh and if I DO want my echo to learn something, I just install a skill from the skill STORE

I thought the app was suppose to have a bunch of commonly used shortcuts?

 

[TimmeyCook]

Google and Alexa can’t do this but they can do everything else 100% better than Siri

Like what?

 

[FunnelDog]

Regarding the notion that the Shortcuts app might allow Siri to control the Nest thermostat - Do you think Apple will control this type of use as they want anything pertaining to smart home control to be handled securely through the Home app? Would Nest or any company for that matter continue to seek Homekit compatibility if they are able to provide all of the functionality through the use of shortcuts?

Just something I've been curious about.

Apple doesn't let HomeKit approved devices that record numerical data (humidity, temp, etc...) to function within the HomeKit system based on that data. That noted, I've wondered the same thing about these third party companies and if they're continuing to make devices (which it actually doesn't seem to me like many exist) I don't think shortcut accessibility is a deterrence.

 

[Shpyda]

I thought the app was suppose to have a bunch of commonly used shortcuts?

I'm guessing that there will still be a gallery of sorts where people can add "recipes" created by other users. That would take a lot of leg work out of the shortcut creation and help out the average user.

 

[Phogro]

I'm really curious to see how complex it is to create useful workflows. Not everyone out there would want to spend the time to learn how to use a Workflow-esque interface so I hope Apple has done some work on making this extremely easy to use so that it is useful to a larger group of people.

 

[palmerc2]

For those who have used this feature, does it work with Spotify to play a specific song, artist, album, or playlist?

Such as “Hey Siri play Santeria by Sublime in Spotify”?

 

[az431]

They need to focus on making Siri work properly before trying to extend it.

One of the reasons it doesn't work properly is a lack of the functionality that Siri shortcuts app provides.

 

[RyanInBinary]

Will this sync to my home pods already? If I have a custom command set, will Siri still understand it from my other devices?

 

[The Cappy]

Even among tech-oriented people, only a small percentage will make anything of this. Among non tech-oriented people, no one will. I suspect I’ll make a couple of shortcuts that I make. The question is: after the novelty wears off, will I make more?

 

[Binarymix]

This should make it easier to control apps with devices where the developers won’t add HomeKit support for.

*cough*nest*cough*harmony*cough*

I control harmony with Siri via home bridge, I just have to say tv time and it turns the tv on, and the hue lights I want on. But it’s a bit convoluted to set up, basic commands, and doesn’t always function properly.

 

[jedwards87]

Can Google Assistant do this?

Can Cortana/Alexa/etc. do this?

One more reason Apple is ahead of them all.

No matter how many times YouTubers sponsored by competitors say how much that Siri sucks, because.... they said it...


PS: And Bixby

Pretty much and it gets better all the time. You can create custom routines with lots of options for controlling home automation, sending messages, turning on/off phone features and music...etc.

 

[yaxomoxay]

Siri is the single, biggest POS by Apple. Heck, it even deafened me the other day.

 

[SD449]

Isn’t this just Apple answers to IFTTT?

I’m quite excited by this but should have launched along side HomePod as it’s killer app.

Should hopefully mean the HomePod can play the radio...

 

[gwhizkids]

I think it would just launch the app and adjust your temperature that way... but correct me if I'm wrong doesn't the developer have to give siri access?

I thought the app was suppose to have a bunch of commonly used shortcuts?

This is the flip side of the Shortcuts app (and potentially the much more interesting angle to most average users). If developers bake it into their apps, Siri should automatically surface actions it "sees" you do in a predictable fashion. So, if you stop at Starbucks every Tuesday and order the same thing, you should get a lockscreen notification after a few Tuesdays asking if you want to place that same order. Push the "yes" button and your order is placed. Of course, this requires Starbucks to enable that functionality. And they may not, preferring that you go to their app, see their offers, etc...

 

[RickInHouston]

Hold off any Siri articles until it gets a complete overhaul. Talk about Siri and bad press!

 

[DanielDD]

Even among tech-oriented people, only a small percentage will make anything of this. Among non tech-oriented people, no one will. I suspect I’ll make a couple of shortcuts that I make. The question is: after the novelty wears off, will I make more?

This is what I thought when I bought a life-time license for Alfred. Since then my dependency on workflows skyrocketed. I cannot use a mac without it. And I guess this is will be the same on iOS with Shortcuts.

 

[Nunyabinez]

This should make it easier to control apps with devices where the developers won’t add HomeKit support for.

*cough*nest*cough*harmony*cough*

I control harmony with Siri via home bridge, I just have to say tv time and it turns the tv on, and the hue lights I want on. But it’s a bit convoluted to set up, basic commands, and doesn’t always function properly.

Though I have a ridiculous number of apple devices, I'm using Alexa to control my Harmony Hub. As long as I say the right words, it performs perfectly.

If I say "Turn on Cable" it turns on my TV, sets the input, turns on the receiver, sets the input and changes to my default station. If I say "Watch Cable" it says, "you don't have anything with that name that can be watched."

So, Alexa works flawlessly if you conform yourself to what she needs to hear.

 

[TaviDuprix]

Even among tech-oriented people, only a small percentage will make anything of this. Among non tech-oriented people, no one will. I suspect I’ll make a couple of shortcuts that I make. The question is: after the novelty wears off, will I make more?

But don't you think Apple can harness the data of what users create to adjust Siri to do it with a simple command and none of the setup? Even if they don't, I am going to be selfish on this one and say I don't care if anyone else can figure it out. This is a godsend for many of the frustrations I have with my phone.

 

[Ries]

Can Google Assistant do this?

Can Cortana/Alexa/etc. do this?

One more reason Apple is ahead of them all.

No matter how many times YouTubers sponsored by competitors say how much that Siri sucks, because.... they said it...


PS: And Bixby

It's called Google Assistant routines, it was announced last October. So, yes? Alexa does it too. Apple is late to the copying.

 

[rhoydotp]

Oh and if I DO want my echo to learn something, I just install a skill from the skill STORE

We may be closer to this!

 

[EdT]

So is there a way that if I say ‘Text my wife’ that Siri will surreptitiously access companies that are worth hundreds of billions of dollars and undetectably siphon funds away to an untraceable account?

Asking for a friend.

 

[mrothroc]

Oh and if I DO want my echo to learn something, I just install a skill from the skill STORE

This is step 1.

Step 1: Introduce Shortcuts
Step 2: Introduce Shortcuts Store
Step 3: Profit

 

[DNichter]

Looks good, excited to check it out. I’m interested to see the level that Siri can interact with these apps. Either way, this will likely remove any current issues I have with Siri. Now just continue to fine tune in the background and it’ll be all I need from a voice assistant. I was not a fan of my Echo’s and quickly replaced them with HomePod’s.

 

[Websnapx2]

I use HomeKit everyday and utilize the "scenes" as needed. I'll follow this thread for more examples of how shortcuts will actually shorten time on tasks. It reminds me of the original thinking that made iPod great as it reduced buttons and steps to get somewhere...

But I can already use Siri to tell my roommate (wife) I'm on my way home but just saying it... So that is sort of a weak example, no? Plus, are people using this and programming texts ahead of time to multiple people. (Text my boss I'm late for work... text my landlord the rent is late..."

The example you are referring to is much more complex than what you are describing. The Demoed example triggered more than just a text when activated; It's looking at where you are and where you are going next, finding out how long the trip will take and inserting it into the text that gets sent, but you can still layer more than in one command. It can enable a cooling device (AC or fans, which has a benefit over just using geolocation for lights as you will want an AC unit running before you get there) as well as (as shown in the demo) a podcast or playlist playing for the ride home — all triggered by one command you can build yourself. Anything Siri can do can be added in line.