iOS 17 includes two Siri upgrades that I’ve been wanting for years

“Hey Siri!” is finally dead

Apple provided a sneak peek at the next iOS 17 update during WWDC 2023, and although though it may not have as many features as the iOS 16 version from the previous year, there is still a lot to be excited about. The new Standby mode and FaceTime video voicemails have made headlines. But the Siri innovations that have me most interested are a pair of them. 

You won't need to say "Hey Siri" to activate Apple's virtual assistant after installing iOS 17. Instead, just say "Siri..." and the assistant will begin to respond. This will put Siri on par with competing voice-activated assistants like Amazon's Alexa, which can already be used just by uttering its name without a welcome. 

This may not seem important at first glance, but I have been asking for this functionality for years. Talking to Siri will feel a lot more natural if I don't have to say "Hey" first, which will motivate me to utilize the assistant more frequently. Additionally, it need to ease your frustration when the helper ignores your initial prodding. I don't mind saying Siri's name again after a botched first try, but standing in a grocery store and repeatedly saying "Hey Siri" is an uncomfortable experience I've had to undergo on numerous occasions.

Getting Siri-ous

Back-to-back requests, which I can't believe have taken this long to implement, will also be a part of the most recent iOS version. Yes, at long last you won't have to restart Siri between requests when you ask her to perform several tasks simultaneously.

Saying "Siri, set a timer for five minutes and give me the weather forecast" for instance will cause the assistant to carry out both jobs at once. On the surface, this seems like another small change, but it will actually make Siri much more user-friendly. 

These Siri improvements might not appear as ground-breaking as some of the other additions planned for iOS 17, but I already know they'll have the most influence on my everyday activities.

Regarding the release date of iOS 17, Apple normally releases its yearly OS upgrade in September, and we anticipate that will be the case once again this year. Obviously, the debut of the iPhone 15 series later this year should coincide with the release of iOS 17.