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4 New Commands You Can Tell Siri in iOS 9
iOS 9 introduces new features centered around Siri. While proactive features stole the spotlight, Siri also gained additional functionality. You can now use Siri to interact with photos, reminders, and the content you’re currently viewing. The public release of iOS 9 is set for the Fall of 2015, but if you have beta access, you can enjoy these new features right away.
“Remind me about this tomorrow at 11.”
Starting with iOS 9, Siri can set reminders about specific content on your screen. For instance, if you receive a text message about plans to meet somewhere, you can tell Siri to remind you about it. Using “this” indicates to Siri that you’re referring to the current content.
This Siri trick works in multiple apps like Safari, Mail, Notes, Maps, and Messages. Siri sets a text reminder in the Reminders app with an icon for the mentioned application. When tapped, it takes you back to where you needed to return – a website, note, email, message, etc.
“Remind me to get gas when I get in my car.”
Siri can set location-based reminders like when you arrive at work or leave home. Now, Siri can also remind you of things when you get in your car, thanks to CarPlay. Note: This feature requires a vehicle with Apple’s CarPlay feature.
When you set a reminder, Siri will confirm that it has set a reminder that will pop up once you’re in your car and connected. Additionally, you can use car reminders with the “this” format to set cool reminders that work together. For instance, if you’re at a restaurant in Maps and don’t want to forget about it, tell Siri “Remind me about this when I get in my car” for directions when you’re ready to go.
“Show me photos I took last week.”
With iOS 8, Apple introduced the ability to search in the Photos app by typing album names, locations, and dates, among other filters. In iOS 9, Apple is taking this functionality further by integrating it with Siri.
You can tell Siri to show you photos or videos taken during a specific time period. Phrases like “Show me photos from yesterday” or “Show me videos I took last week” will work. Don’t worry about security, as Apple has your photos locked down even in the first beta of iOS 9. If you ask Siri to open photos from the lock screen, you’ll first need to unlock your phone with your passcode.
“I want to see my photos from New York City last year.”
Even beyond specifying a date, Siri can retrieve photos from specific events. This can be done by mentioning an album name such as “Trisha’s Birthday Dinner” or a location like New York City.
Combine locations and dates to search through your iCloud Photo Library. With over 2,000 photos in my library, it’s difficult to find specific event photos when I can’t remember when or if I put them into an album. Telling Siri, “show me photos from Hyannis, MA last year” brought up photos from my trip to Cape Cod last July. I could also say “show me photos from Hyannis” to view all my annual photos after six consecutive years traveling there.
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.
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