Skip to main content

‘Siri, get me an Uber!’ Apple opens up Siri to third-party developers

ios 10 siri news dev
Image used with permission by copyright holder
At WWDC 2016, Apple’s virtual assistant Siri might have gotten its biggest update since it launched almost four years ago.

The headliner is that Apple will finally open Siri up to third-party developers. The Siri software development kit brings access to applications and third-party content to Siri. For example, iOS users can send a WeChat message to their friends, by asking Siri to send a specific message in the app, and Siri will show you your message before it sends. Furthermore, iOS users can ask Siri to search for photos in Shutterfly and Pinterest, set workouts through RunKeeper and Runtastic, or book car rides with Lyft, Uber, and Didi.

The newly open Siri won’t be limited to iOS, however, as the new Siri will also work with CarPlay and on Mac OS.

In addition to opening up Siri to developers, Apple will also port Siri’s brains to the keyboard. For example, through the use of “deep learning,” iOS 10’s keyboard will bring up relevant calendar information and look through your messages to pre-fill calendar information. Through Siri, the keyboard will offer other suggestions, such as multilingual typing, current location, and recent addresses.

To allay fears that Apple would be storing all of the information garnered from this “deep learning,” the company confirmed that, similar to Apple Pay, it will take place on the device, so your info stays secure. “When it comes to performing analysis of your data, we’re doing it all on your devices, keeping your personal data under your control,” said Apple’s Craig Federighi.

It may seem like Apple is playing catch-up with the enhanced Siri, especially when you consider the smarts of competitors like Google Now and Cortana, but these are big improvements.

The revamped Siri will be part of iOS 10, which will be available as a developer preview download on June 13 and widely available sometime during the fall.

Editors' Recommendations

Williams Pelegrin
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Williams is an avid New York Yankees fan, speaks Spanish, resides in Colorado, and has an affinity for Frosted Flakes. Send…
My iPhone’s keyboard is driving me crazy
Words displayed on an iPhone's screen in the Notes app, with the keyboard below them.

Abe, Ann, Anne, Anna, Ana, Ave, AB’s. These words are the bane of my life, as all too often my iPhone thinks I'm typing them instead of the word “and.” It happens shockingly often, to the point where I begin to think it’s doing it deliberately to troll me.

I’m an iOS keyboard fan, but it’s getting to the point where I’m going to have to make a big change unless Apple does something about it.
It’s always the word 'and'

Read more
Apple just released iOS 17.4. Here’s how it’s going to change your iPhone
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro showing the screens.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro (left) and iPhone 15 Pro Max Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

If you have an iPhone, you'll want to check it right now for a big update. The iOS 17.4 update is officially rolling out right now and it includes some fairly significant new features.

Read more
Apple Sports app looks to rule live scores and stats on iOS
The Apple Sports app on an iPhone.

As if what it's done with MLS Season Pass wasn't proof enough that Apple is serious about sports, today we have another example. Enter Apple Sports, a new app for iPhone that aims to be the only app you'll need for live sports scores, real-time stats, and more.

Apple Sports is available today in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Inside it you'll find the likes of MLS, NBA, college basketball, Premier League, Bundesliga, LaLiga, Liga MX, Ligue 1, and Serie A — and that's just for starters. We're still in the offseason for sports like Major League Baseball, the NFL and college football, and the National Women's Soccer League and WNBA, but you'll see them all in Apple Sports once games begin.

Read more