Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile

Rumor: Fully integrated voice control coming to iPhone 5

Molly McHugh
By

AssistantiPhone 5 mania is beginning to reach a fever pitch as the rumored September launch date draws nearer. Of course, most of the hype continues to revolve around the timing of its release rather than the handset itself. Thankfully, a new report gives us a look at what would be a pretty significant upgrade to the next-gen model.

9to5 Mac claims that Apple wants to outfit the iPhone 5 with voice control. Using technology acquired in its purchase of Siri and partnership with Nuance, the smartphone will include a native voice command application called Assistant. Apparently Assistant will be an iOS 5 feature but come packaged with the iPhone 5 introduction to drive more attention to the phone – as if that were necessary. But if this is the case, older handset users will be able to use the new function as well.

Recommended Videos

iphone voice controlAssistant would function similarly to the Siri iPhone app, which takes you voice command and finds what you need based on information it securely curates (most specifically your location). If you want to get a taste of Assistant, download the Siri app (free) and give it a spin. Unlike Siri, Assistant would of course be fully integrated into iOS 5 which means it would have fewer limitations accessing iPhone data and requests would be nearly unlimited. It will also reportedly be able to respond to the users’ commands.

Related

If Assistant turns out to be everything we’re hearing, it would be an incredibly impressive feature to package with iOS 5, as well as with the iPhone 5. The iPhone already functions as a personal aid for most owners, and is used for planning, navigating, and discovery. Freeing up your hands and eyes and still be able to put the iPhone through its paces would be a welcomed step forward.

Before you get too excited though, we should tell you it’s possible Assistant will still be in development when the iPhone 5 ships. Apple is likely to want such a feature to be nearly perfect before it hits handsets – and fingers crossed, that’s not too far out.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Molly McHugh
Molly McHugh
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Before coming to Digital Trends, Molly worked as a freelance writer, occasional photographer, and general technical lackey…
This one thing could make iOS 18 the best iPhone update in years
The Home Screen on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Apple’s WWDC 2024 is just a couple of months away. As with every WWDC, we’ll see what Apple has in store for the next generation of software across its hardware portfolio, including the iPhone with iOS 18.

Rumors have been swirling about iOS 18 and how it will be “one of the biggest updates yet.” We know some features like RCS support in Messages are definitely coming, with other whispers of big home screen customization changes and more.

Read more
How to add a different home screen wallpaper on iOS 17
An iPhone with iOS 16, showing the new Lock Screen.

If you haven't used an iPhone in a while, or if you haven't tried to update your lock screen, they you might be happy to learn about some of the new customization features that are available in iOS 17. Although iOS has made some controversial changes to its UI, such as moving the notifications to the bottom of the lock screen, they are also more welcome changes to the customization options for the lock screen.

Introduced in iOS 16 was a slew of lock screen customization features to let you tweak your phone's lock screen to your liking, and these same features are available in iOS 17 as well. While the lock screen used to be just a static image, you can now make it more dynamic with options like cycling through collections of your photos, so you can show off your favorite photos of your pets, your family, or beautiful locations that you've visited.

Read more
The best iPhone 15 Pro Max cases in 2024: the 20 best ones
Renders of iPhone 15 Pro Max cases next to each other.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the latest smartphone from Apple and boasts a 6.7-inch screen and a durable titanium casing. However, even with its sturdy design, the phone can still suffer from accidental damage such as cracking or shattering. To ensure that your phone stays in good condition and lasts longer, it's important to invest in a protective case.

To help you with your selection, we have put together a list of the 20 best iPhone 15 Pro Max cases. These cases have been carefully selected based on their durability, design, and functionality. Whether you're looking for a slim and stylish case or a heavy-duty one that can withstand extreme conditions, we've got you covered.

Read more