Take Control of Siri

Description

Make the most of Apple’s digital assistant! Version 2.0, published December 22, 2020 When it comes to using your Apple devices, Siri is increasingly the hands-free, time-saving, and fun technology that ties everything together. Whether you want to ask a question, make a call, find your iPhone, or set a timer—not only can Siri do it, but it usually offers the fastest way. This book explores how to get the most out of Siri on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch, Mac, and HomePod. Siri, Apple's voice-controlled digital assistant, has been around since 2011, when it debuted on the iPhone. But since then, it has become vastly more powerful and useful, and has spread across Apple's entire ecosystem—it now runs on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and HomePod. Siri can listen and speak in a wide range of languages and accents, perform a long list of helpful day-to-day tasks, and keep you entertained in the process. Although Siri is easy to use, it's so multitalented that you might easily overlook some of its best features. In this book, former Macworld editor Scholle McFarland takes you deep into Siri's capabilities. You'll learn tons of tips and tricks about making the most of Siri. Discover how Siri can increase your efficiency and productivity, lend a hand when you're in the car or out for a jog, and even make it simpler to play music or find movies and TV shows to watch. Among many other things, this book teaches you: What hardware and software you need to use Siri How to change Siri's language and voice Ways to personalize Siri by telling it about yourself, your contacts, and more The numerous ways to activate Siri (by touch or by voice) How to use Siri with AirPods, wired earbuds, or third-party headphones What to do if the wrong device answers your "Hey Siri" request How to ask Siri about sports, math and conversions, time, food, health, movies, people, stocks, the weather, jokes, real-world sounds, and random facts Tips for asking Siri follow-up questions How to control music (on any device, with or without an Apple Music subscription) Techniques for using Siri to get directions, set reminders and appointments, send messages and email, and take notes Ways to use Siri to search for files on your Mac What Siri can and can't do for you on an Apple TV or HomePod How to make and use Shortcuts for use with Siri on an iOS/iPadOS device or Apple Watch How to get your HomePod to recognize different people's voices Everything you need to know about your privacy where Siri is involved Plus bonus videos! Since Siri is an audio-based, interactive tool, there are some things that are more readily demonstrated than written about. So Scholle has put together a series of videos that illustrate techniques from her book, allowing you to see and hear exactly what happens as you use Siri. Whether you're new to Siri or a seasoned pro, you're sure to find lots of tricks and suggestions in this book to improve your experience of using Siri. Read Me First Updates and More ÿþ B ÿþW Introduction Siri Quick Start Brush Up on Siri Basics What You Need to Get Started ÿþC Control How Siri Talks Back to You Activate Siri By Touch Trigger Siri Manually on an iPad or iOS Device Trigger Siri by Touch on Your Watch Trigger Siri by Touch on HomePod Trigger Siri by Touch on Your Apple TV Trigger Siri Manually on a Mac ÿþD Activate Siri with Your Voice ÿþU ÿþU ÿþU ÿþU ÿþU Get Answers to Questions Ask About Sports Ask About Math and Conversions Ask About Time Ask About Food Ask About Movies Ask About People Ask About Stocks Ask About the Weather Ask About Health Ask About Random Facts Ask for a Joke Ask What You Can Ask Control Your Music Work with Your Music Find New Music Do More with Stations and Playlists Learn More About the Music Make a Call Make a Phone Call Use the Speaker Redial a Number Call for Help Listen to Voicemail FaceTime a Friend Get Directions Ask for Directions Find a Business Check Traffic Remind Yourself Create a Reminder Organize Your Reminders Work with Your Reminders Make a Date Check Your Schedule Create an Event Change an Event Cancel an Event Send Messages Send a Message Send an Audio Message Read Your Messages Reply to a Message Send Email Write an Email Message Read Email Messages Reply to Email Messages Find Email Messages Take a Note Create a New Note Give a Note a Name Add to Notes Find Notes Listen to Your Notes Control Your Mac with Siri Work with System Preferences Find Information About Your Mac Find Files with Siri Type Questions to Siri Grab Bag of Other Useful Tricks Find Your Apple Devices Retrieve Passwords Launch an App Set a Timer Set an Alarm Translate a Phrase Look Up a Word Track Down Friends and Family Turn Your HomePod into an Intercom Take a Photo (or a Selfie) Find Your Photos Send or Request Money Hear the Headlines Control Your Home Save Time with Siri Shortcuts Add a Suggested Shortcut Get Shortcuts from the Gallery Go Beyond the Gallery Understand Siri and Your Privacy Is Apple Keeping Track of What I Say? Does Siri Share Other Information About Me with Apple? ÿþW ÿþC About This Book Ebook Extras About the Author About the Publisher Copyright and Fine Print