I’m sure if you own any Apple product purchased within the last ten years, you know there is this nifty voice on Apple products that you can ask to do numerous things. You can command it to answer question, and so much more. That nifty voice is called Siri. Have you taken the time to delve into all that Siri can do?
If you haven’t, you should, after you’ve read this post, of course. Everything Siri can do won’t be written here, but here are two clues to probe further to learn more about the features of Siri. Apple products such as the iPhone, iPad, Mac Books and iMac have a quite a few apps that comes pre-installed. Two of them offer extensive content to learn more about and using all of Apple’s products.
The first is iBooks. You will find your user manual there. Search for any apple product and the user manual will populate the book screen, there for you to access for free. Another resource Apple offers is an app call Tips. Open that app to learn more about any Apple product you own. One option is Siri. Use both resources to learn how to take advantage of all your Apple products and to see how Siri truly is your own personal assistant.
Siri is the key to better productivity
Most Apple users don’t view it that way, or use it at all. Perhaps the reason Apple users don’t use this outstanding feature is because they haven’t taken the time to discover how to use it, or it’s just not on their priority list. I can understand the latter, there are a lot of things going on in life right now, experimenting with your iPhone is the last thing on your mind. That is why I’m going to only mention ten tips for using Siri to enhance your productivity. Hope you find them useful.
1. Voice dictation
When you open an app to create an email or type a document, just below the return key is a microphone icon, tap it and start your dictation, Siri will type the text directly into your document. This is really useful for creating e-mails and reminders. You won’t send the document or e-mail without reviewing it first, but it is a great way to save a considerable amount of time. Just imagine how much you can get done, if you are in traffic that’s not moving.
2. Put meetings or events on your calendar
Even if you have an assistant, this is a really useful feature. You don’t have to stop, open the calendar app, or the task app to add your upcoming meeting or task. Simply tell Siri to add it for you. Do it when you’re thinking about it, no matter where you are, and you won’t forget. Your assistant who most likely syncs to your calendar will know instantly and prevent any conflicts.
3. Set an alarm
Unless you can say you never need an alarm, then this feature will definitely help to prevent tardiness. The best part? You don’t have to open your screen and set the day and time manually, simply ask Siri to set an alarm. With this feature, you will never be late getting to work, returning from lunch, or if you work at home, spend too much time on Facebook and not enough on that document that will pay more than the time you spend on social media or reading e-mails.
4. Geolocation with Siri
On every Apple product is one of the best features you will ever find if you travel a lot, are direction challenge, or just need to find that restaurant you’ve heard about, but don’t know how to get there. Do you remember when GPS devices exist just to use for driving directions? The one I’m thinking of is Garmin GPS, I think they are still around! If they are, Smart phones made them obsolete.
If you need to get anywhere, no matter where you are, tell Siri. Siri will know exactly where you are and tell you how to get where you want to go. I’m sure some may disagree, but I think the GPS in Apple products with Siri, is the best feature ever!
5. Read your emails
Yet another way to save time. The conditions for using Siri to read your emails are many. Again, you could be in traffic, on a crowded train, or out for a jog, Tell Siri to read your e-mails and you have productivity in motion.
6. Play music
Alright, this may or may not contribute to productivity. It depends if you get more done with background music or not. If you do, then you will love this feature. Because of the integration capabilities of Apple products, you can tell Siri to play music and it will open Apple Music and do as you directed.
7. Phone calls & texts
This feature requires updating your contacts and assigning unique names to your frequently called or texted contact. For instance, if your mother is in your contact, and her name is Helen, and you also have other contacts with the same first name, it would be a hassle to get Siri to call your mother using her first name. Assign a unique name, such as “Mom.” If you have three Helens in your contact. Without a unique name, Siri will bring up all three and ask which one to call, then you will have to use a last name. It’s so much easier to assign a unique name to your frequently used contacts for when you want to tell Siri to call or send a text.
8. Translator
Travel a lot? Siri’s usefulness when you are in a foreign country is invaluable. Siri speaks many languages and will be a lifesaver when you need it. Just ask Siri how to say a word in the language of your choice.
9. Lists & notes
I suppose it makes sense that if Siri can dictate your letters, read your emails, then it can add items to your lists in the reminder app, or a note in the notes app. All without opening your home screen.
10. Answer questions
Its knowledge is vast, and there are very few times Siri will tell you it can’t answer a question. As long as the question makes sense (for fun, try asking Siri silly questions, it will give you silly answers). If the answer exists Siri knows it, it’s that simple.
It all starts with “Hey Siri,” or “Siri” And you are on your way to hopefully the second best assistant you’ve ever had. Here is another feature you may like: You can change the voice Siri uses. Just go to settings under Siri. You can choose male or female, and even a choice of dialects such as American or British accents.
Why not let Siri save your time, help you have more productive days and maybe have some fun?
