Apple is said to be working on a new framework in iOS 14 that would permit developers to provide custom text-to-speech synthesizers to replace iOS's default speech voice.
Voice assistants
How to go to your iPhone or iPad Home Screen hands-free using Siri
You can ask Siri to take you back to the Home Screen hands-free by uttering a simple voice command. Follow along with our quick tutorial to learn how to use the Siri Home Screen command on your iPhone or iPad.
How to override iOS Facedown Detection to use “Hey Siri” when iPhone is face down or covered
Siri is often the easiest way to use your iPhone hands-free, but the smart assistant stops listening for the "Hey Siri" hot phrase when you lie the handset with its face down. In this tutorial, we're going to teach you how to enable Siri when iPhone is face down or covered.
Ethical question: should you disclose smart speakers like HomePod to guests?
If you own a smart speaker like HomePod or a similar device that comes with an always-on assistant, should you make visitors aware they might be recorded at all times?
Apple to keep reviewing computer-generated transcriptions of your Siri audio requests
After an iOS update with a Siri grading opt-in drops, Apple will continue reviewing computer-generated transcriptions of your Siri audio requests regardless of your opt-in status.
Apple contractors were expected to listen to 1,000 clips of Siri recordings every shift
Apple's contractors in Cork, Ireland were expected to listen to a thousand audio clips of Siri recordings every shift, according to employees who had their contracts terminated this week after the company suspended the controversial Siri grading program last month.
Siri on watchOS 6 lets you find apps, identify songs and search topics on the web
watchOS 6, the next major software update to the operating system powering Apple's wearable device, packs in a few cool new features. In terms of voice interactions, Siri on your wrist is now more useful with such enhancements as web and app search.
A United Nations report says Siri and other female smart assistants reinforce gender bias
A United Nations report indirectly accuses smart assistant providers like Apple, Google and Microsoft of reinforcing gender bias by using female assistant voices by default.
Bloomberg: Amazon is readying an AirPods rival with better sound and built-in Alexa access
In the latest attempt to take the Alexa assistant mobile after the flopped Fire phone, Amazon is reportedly working on an AirPods-like wireless earbuds that will "look and act" similar to Apple's earphones while offering built-in Alexa access and beating AirPods on sound quality.
Google’s creepy human-sounding AI that can book a reservation for you is coming to iPhone
Google's human-sounding AI helper which stole the show at Google I/O 2018 by making an erringly realistically sounding phone call to a hair salon is coming to your iPhone soon.
How to create an Alexa Voice Profile on Amazon Echo speaker
While you might use Alexa and your Amazon Echo speaker to do things like shopping, listening to music, or checking your calendar, you probably don’t think about the effect of your voice. Your speaker is smart enough to recognize your voice in order to personalize your experience.
For instance, setting up a Voice Profile can help with announcing messages only sent to you, customized music playback, and skipping news stories you’ve already heard.
If you haven’t taken the time to set this up, our tutorial will walk you through it. Here’s how to create an Alexa Voice Profile on Amazon Echo speaker.
Google is rolling out Assistant in Maps for iOS
Google announced today at the CES 2019 show that it has begun rolling out its popular voice-activated Assistant feature to the mobile Maps app for iOS and Android.