Siri References OS X 'Finder' Ahead of WWDC 2016 [Update: Siri May Know 'Dark Mode' Too]

[MacRumors]

Expectation that Apple is set to announce Siri for the Mac at WWDC 2016 has intensified over the weekend, thanks to an apparently unprompted reference to OS X leaked by none other than the personal assistant on iPhone.

Asking Siri the oddly worded question, "Open settings in the window" simply opens the iOS Settings app. But the same question with the word 'Siri' included at the beginning of the sentence evokes the spoken response: "It doesn't look like you have an app named 'Finder'."

Screenshot via AppleInsider​

'Finder' appears to be a reference to the OS X file manager application, since no such app of that name exists for iOS. The discovery was revealed in a blog post by Brian Roemmele, and suggests that Apple's servers are already being modified behind the scenes to extend Siri's functionality to the Mac.

Screenshots passed to MacRumors indicate that Siri will soon become a defining aspect of the Mac desktop, ready to answer many of the same queries and perform many of the same tasks it can on iOS devices - opening apps, conducting web searches, controlling HomeKit, sending text messages, reading emails, setting calendar events, and more.

Additionally, Apple is also said to be preparing to release a Siri software development kit so that developers can make their apps and app content accessible through Siri voice commands, marking a much-awaited extension of the assistant's capabilities.

Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off tomorrow with a keynote event at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, where Apple is expected to show off the latest version of OS X alongside updated versions of its iOS, tvOS, and watchOS operating systems.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.​

Apple will offer a live stream of the keynote event through its website and through a dedicated events app on the Apple TV. MacRumors will also provide live coverage, on MacRumors.com and on the MacRumorsLive Twitter account.

Meanwhile, you can learn more about what to expect at WWDC 2016 in our comprehensive features and rumors compilation.

Update: Siri also now appears to be hinting at another OS X feature that doesn't currently exist in iOS: asking the personal assistant to "turn on dark mode" results in the response, "Sorry, but I'm not able to change that setting."

Article Link: Siri References OS X 'Finder' Ahead of WWDC 2016 [Update: Siri May Know 'Dark Mode' Too]

 

[Brad9893]

Or, perhaps it means that they are bringing the Finder to iOS so we can finally access the file system. I'd really like that.

 

[Tamagotchi]

If they give me a file browser I'll be the happiest person on earth (that and dark mode pls!)

 

[LCPepper]

She doesn't seem to be saying that anymore!

I think Apple has gagged her.

 

[TheRainKing]

Why do people want to browse the file system on their iOS device anyway?

 

[sshambles]

What if macOS is replacing OSX...

but OSX is replacing iOS...

 

[iLG]

Why do people want to browse the file system on their iOS device anyway?

Yes It's pointless.

 

[oldmacs]

Why do people want to browse the file system on their iOS device anyway?

People want to be able to manage their files if they'd like to, not manage the file system. Think a more powerful version of the iCloud Drive App
[doublepost=1465729732][/doublepost]

Yes It's pointless.

Its not pointless if people just want to manage their work files better. The majority don't 'access to the file system' e.g. root file access, just a space to store and sort documents easily.

 

[henryaaron]

Planted

 

[royriv772]

Looks like Apple is censoring what Siri says now... "It doesn't look like you have that app" is what I got, posing the exact same question as seen in the MacRumors screenshot. Maybe trying to cover an accidental leak? I mean, changing her responses makes it all the more obvious though.

UPDATE: got her to spill the beans... "It doesn't look like you have an app named 'Finder'."

 

[Sirious]

Please let it be a powerful version of Siri!

 

[iTom17]

Please let it be a powerful version of Siri!

And make it available to as many languages as possible. Because now everytime new features for Siri are being introduced we Dutch people for example can't use them in our language. Happened to the new Apple TV, and will definitely happen again with the macOS update.

 

[sshambles]

Yes It's pointless.

Good one!

Wait.... this wasn't a cursor joke?

 

[RuffyYoshi]

I'd like the ability to password lock folders in OSX. Totally not for porn.

 

[GreyOS]

People want to be able to manage their files if they'd like to, not manage the file system. Think a more powerful version of the iCloud Drive App
[doublepost=1465729732][/doublepost]

Its not pointless if people just want to manage their work files better. The majority don't 'aces to the file system' e.g. root file access, just a space to store and sort documents easily.

Do you need to something apps like Documents don't allow?

 

[XMZ-250]

Why do people want to browse the file system on their iOS device anyway?

Becuase we're in the post-PC era. And with a file system on iOS it will have a chance( although not completely) to replace PC.

EDIT:
Apple should also add USB OTG support if finder will debut on iOS 10.

 

[Pakaku]

Do you need to something apps like Documents don't allow?

It's pretty embarassing I need to download a third party app just for what should be a basic fundamental OS function

 

[gpat]

About freaking time. Bring it along with USB-C host external drive support on iOS.

 

[Brad9893]

Why do people want to browse the file system on their iOS device anyway?

Because I want to have one place for all of my files to be stored like on the PC. I don't want it cut off and decentralize like it is on iOS currently. Give me one app that I can use to see all of my files...make it simple, Apple.

 

[oldmacs]

Do you need to something apps like Documents don't allow?

I'd just like a solution that doesn't require third party apps and unneeded complexity.
[doublepost=1465732480][/doublepost]

Because I want to have one place for all of my files to be stored like on the PC. I don't want it cut off and decentralize like it is on iOS currently. Give me one app that I can use to see all of my files...make it simple, Apple.

Exactly how i feel. I'd also like some sort of external drive support - like an 'Airdrive' standard, if it has to be wireless.

 

[macrules314]

Look what Siri said to me Even more sure it's coming now.

 

[oldmacs]

Look what Siri said to me Even more sure it's coming now.

To be fair, it says that if you ask it to open 'preview' as well

 

[Dilster3k]

Yeah! Can't wait to finally scream out commands awkwardly into my MacBook!

 

[iBug2]

Becuase we're in the post-PC era. And with a file system on iOS it will have a chance( although not completely) to replace PC.

EDIT:
Apple should also add USB OTG support if finder will debut on iOS 10.

Nowadays I use my iPhone probably 3 times as much as I use my Macbook Pro or my Mac Pro. People really did misunderstood that "post-pc" thing. Jobs was not talking about these devices replacing our PC's completely, which will probably never happen. But we use them to do pretty much anything that doesn't require a big screen or a mouse nowadays.

 

[BornAgainMac]

I'd like the ability to password lock folders in OSX. Totally not for porn.

Try creating separate accounts. I do with with keeping work separate from home. Keeps me from sending work email with my personal account by accident for example. Keeps files separate but I can still create shared data either locally or using a cloud account. Fast switching is possible, use different backgrounds to help determine which account, or even show input for login window if you don't want to list all your accounts.