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4 Major New Siri Commands You Can Give on tvOS 10
People are excited about the new features iOS 10 brings to the iPhone and iPad and macOS Sierra brings to the Mac. Siri has gotten smarter on these platforms, opening up an API for developers. Another Apple platform, tvOS for Apple TV, is also getting a boost in functionality. Like iOS and macOS, Siri for Apple TV is more intelligent in tvOS 10. It helps you navigate your Apple TV easily, find specific entertainment options, and control your smart home devices. Here are four new Siri commands to try on tvOS 10.
1. Search Movies and TV by Topic
Siri gains smarter movie and television search functionality, which is arguably the most important new feature. It now understands specific topics in addition to general genres.
“Hey Siri, show me TV shows about music” or “Hey Siri, what are some ’90s baseball movies?” Test different topics to see what works.
This offers a great way to find exactly what you want to watch, and it can also help you remember movie titles. It’s common to know the plot, cast, and release date of a movie but forget the title. Siri can help with that.
2. Search YouTube Directly
On earlier versions of tvOS, to search YouTube, you had two options, both requiring you to go into the app. You could either type in your search query or use voice dictation.
Now, Siri can search YouTube and take you directly to the results page without opening the app. Just say “Search for workout videos in YouTube” or “Search YouTube for funny cats.”
When you specify a YouTube search, Siri will open the app and load the results. Please note that you need to install the YouTube app first, which is free for iOS.
3. Launch Live TV
Apple TV and live TV are more user-friendly in tvOS 10. They functioned well before because many apps included live TV if you signed in with your cable provider. However, Siri can now take you directly from the Home screen to a live channel.
Siri can open apps like ESPN or CBS News and switch to the live TV stream if you ask her to. However, it’s not as fast as changing the channel with a DVR, but it is intuitive.
4. Control Your Home
If you have smart accessories that work with Apple’s HomeKit, you can use Siri to control them at home. Simply say, “Turn off the lights in the bedroom” or “Lower the temperature to 72 degrees,” and Siri will connect with your devices to perform the requested actions.
The effectiveness of Siri’s HomeKit integration is directly proportional to the number of HomeKit devices you own. Visit Apple’s website to learn more about the available functionality.
As Fred Humiston, the author behind Twothirds.us, I focus on providing practical and easy-to-follow guides and solutions for a variety of technical issues that people commonly face.
My articles cover a wide range of topics, from troubleshooting out-of-sync audio on TikTok and managing Firestick devices, to understanding the impact of Capcut on video quality and resolving sound issues on Hisense Roku TVs.
I also delve into more general tech tips, like how to block numbers on landlines or use VPNs without Wi-Fi. My goal is to make technology more accessible and less intimidating for everyone, whether you’re a tech novice or a seasoned user. I strive to offer clear, concise, and helpful advice to make your digital experience smoother and more enjoyable.