Siri in iOS 14 getting real-time Translate app, sleeker interface

AppleInsider

Apple has given Siri a major update in iOS 14 with a new user interface design and a built-in Translate feature.

The new Siri interface in UI. Credit: Apple

One of the biggest changes to the Apple digital assistant is an overhauled user interface that doesn't take up the entire display. Instead of the full-screen Siri pane, Siri will actually pop up as a small icon at the bottom on the display. Answered Siri requests will also be less intrusive, with details and information appearing as notification boxes at the top of the screen.

Siri is also getting a new Translate app that will support full and real-time translations across multiple languages. The feature is privacy-respecting and works completely offline.

At launch, Translate will support 11 languages, including:

• English


• Mandarin Chinese


• French


• German


• Spanish


• Italian


• Japanese


• Korean


• Arabic


• Portugese


• Russian

Rumors of a built-in translator first surfaced earlier in June. In Apple's previous iOS 13 update, it also redesigned the volume HUD to be less obtrusive, similar to what it's done for Siri.

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elijahg

This is cool, but seems Siri itself still requires a network connection though

frantisek

Guys, all is great, just can not send your video to Apple TV as I can Youtube one.  

SpamSandwich

Some interesting developments to be sure. But when the spellchecker still is a hot mess and Siri presents results which are less than useful 90% of the time, what am I supposed to be looking forward to here?

kimberly

Siri just needs one 'improvement' ... function with the same accuracy as competing virtual assistants.

StrangeDays

kimberly said:

Siri just needs one 'improvement' ... function with the same accuracy as competing virtual assistants.

Every roundup I’ve read said they all basically suck the same but in different ways. 

nicholfd

StrangeDays said:

kimberly said:

Siri just needs one 'improvement' ... function with the same accuracy as competing virtual assistants.

Every roundup I’ve read said they all basically suck the same but in different ways. 

Exactly.  I've only "tested" Google & Amazon (don't trust the companies).  I use Siri regularly on my MacBook Pro, Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad & HomePods.  Siri seems to generally (not perfect) just work for me.

frantisek

kimberly said:

Siri just needs one 'improvement' ... function with the same accuracy as competing virtual assistants.

And support additional languages.... At least for basic command and ability to understand local names and locations

CheeseFreeze

The problem with virtual assistants is that you don’t know what the interface understands. U like a visual UI, you have to guess its  intelligence as well as what commands it understands, and how much context is taken in account when interfacing with it.

Assistants will have to become much smarter at:

- Guessing your intent based on sensory data, voice emotion, location, current app open, bluetooth connection, travel speed, etc, so it can decide what you probably want - not just based on spoken words - and how you want the response back.

- Learn the person’s habits and create some sort of a profile of the users preferences and adapt accordingly. Apple says Siri does that but there has been zero cases where I noticed anything closely related to adaptability or personalization.

MplsP

frantisek said:

kimberly said:

Siri just needs one 'improvement' ... function with the same accuracy as competing virtual assistants.

And support additional languages.... At least for basic command and ability to understand local names and locations

Or allow you to switch between languages. I text in different languages and can easily switch keyboards, but if I get a text while driving, Siri insists on staying in her current language and you can’t change without going into the settings menu.