Selecting a language

When you set up your iPhone, it also asked for your language preference. You have more than 40 options, including English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Russian — to name a few. Choosing a language and dialect isn’t just so Siri can speak in a language you understand; it’s also to let your new personal assistant better understand you. For example, someone from the United States or Canada will say “Call Mom” differently than an English-speaking person from the United Kingdom or Australia. One might sound more like “Coll mum” or “Cull mam” and so on.

In fact, you can choose from nine different kinds of English for Siri: Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, and United States (notice how Scotland isn’t in there? Siri isn’t THAT good!). Obviously, Americans have various accents too — differences definitely exist between speakers from Long Island, Boston, Dallas, and Minneapolis, for example — but American English can be vastly different from the English spoken in London or Sydney. Thus, be sure to choose the correct language from the list or you may have some difficulties understanding Siri — and vice versa.

Choosing a Siri voice and setting up search options

It’s also important to note Siri has a female voice in the United States by default, but you can change it to a male voice if you like. For this reason, I usually refer to Siri as “it” to keep language universal.

To make sure Siri works flawlessly on Apple Watch, you need to first go to Settings ⇒ Siri & Search on your iPhone and flick the toggle to green (“On”) for the following three features:

• Listen for “Hey Siri”: You can decide whether you simply want to say “Hey Siri” instead of pressing the Home button on an iPhone or pressing the Digital Crown button on Apple Watch. If you enable this feature in your iPhone’s settings, you can simply raise your wrist to your mouth and say “Hey Siri,” followed by your question or command.
• Press the side button for Siri (iPhone X and newer): Make sure this is also turned on (flicked to green). This allows you to press the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch to initiate your personal assistant. (On iPhone 8 and older, and iPhone SE, you need to press and hold the Home button to activate Siri.)
• Enable “Raise to Speak”: If you like the idea of simply raising your wrist to wake up your personal assistant, on your Apple Watch, tap Settings ⇒ General ⇒ Siri. Choose whether you want to turn Raise to Speak on or off. You can also enable or disable the “Hey Siri” verbal option here, too, instead of on your iPhone.

Other options you have inside the Siri & Search settings on your iPhone:

• Voice Feedback: By default you hear Siri talk through the watch, but you can make a few tweaks.
  • Control with Ring Switch: This silences all audio feedback, but you’ll continue to hear Siri beep and provide voice feedback when you say “Hey Siri.”
  • Hands-Free Only: Siri only beeps and provides voice feedback when you are using “Hey Siri” or when you connect to a Bluetooth device, headphones, or CarPlay.
• My Information: Selecting this tab opens your Contacts app. Why? Your iPhone wants you to point Siri to your own name to learn where you live and who is close to you. If you don’t have an entry in your Contacts with your own information, you need to create one. Once you fill out all the fields, you can tell Siri “Take me home.” Of course, Siri won’t know where that is unless your address is listed on your Contacts page. Similarly, you can tell Siri to call your wife or husband or email your dad or text your mom — all of which you can identify in your iPhone’s Contacts page (yes, fields exist there for people close to you).

You can activate Siri on your Apple Watch or iPhone and tell it to call you something else. Instead of Robert, you can say “Siri, call me Bob” or “Siri, call me Junior” for a nickname. Going forward, Siri addresses you by the name you prefer. You can always change it if you like.

Unlike other speech-to-text technology, including those offered by other smartphones, Siri works on the operating system level and knows which app to open based on your request. Most other smartphones require you to first open an app before you tap the microphone to speak. You don’t need to do this for Siri.

Ready to rock? Connecting and talking to Siri

Before you get started, you need to ensure you have a good Internet connection. As I cover in this chapter, you need to be online for Siri to work. You can see the signal strength of Wi-Fi and cellular on your Apple Watch; without a good connection, you might find Siri inaccessible.

Okay, to connect to Siri:

1. Make sure your Apple Watch is connected to the Internet by cellular, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth (and/or connected to your nearby iPhone).

2. On your paired iPhone, tap Settings ⇒ Siri & Search.

   Make sure that the Listen for “Hey Siri” option is on. On iPhone X or later, make sure that the “Press Side Button for Siri” option is on. On iPhone 8 or earlier, make sure that the “Press Home for Siri” option is on.

3. On your Apple Watch, tap Settings ⇒ General ⇒ Siri.

   Choose whether you want to turn Hey Siri and Raise to Speak on or off. (See the previous section for more information on these options.)

4. On Apple Watch Series 3 or later, scroll down to Voice Feedback, then choose when Siri speaks.

   Options include: Always On, Control with Silent Mode, or Headphones Only.

Talking to Siri on Apple Watch

Before you start talking, remember you can maximize Siri’s performance on Apple Watch by following these tips:

• Speak clearly. I know this can be difficult to be conscious of, but the less you mumble and the more you articulate your words, the better Siri works. Don’t worry: Siri is remarkably keen on picking up what you say (and even what you mean), so you don’t need to speak like a robot. Just be aware that you’ll get better results with clearer speech.
• Find a quiet place. A lot of background noise isn’t great for Siri because it might not be able to pick up what you’re saying very well. The quieter the environment, the better Siri can understand your instructions. This might be tough if you’re in a crowded restaurant, driving with the window open, or walking down a busy street, of course, so you might need to speak a little louder and closer to the Apple Watch microphone.

Now, when you ask Siri a question — such as “What’s the weather like in Seattle tomorrow?” — you should see colors dance around the bottom of the watch screen to confirm it’s listening to you. Stop talking after you’re done and you should hear a beep to confirm Siri is now processing your request.

If you make a mistake while asking Siri a question (maybe you accidentally said the wrong person’s name to text) or perhaps Siri didn’t hear you clearly, you can tap the screen to nullify the request and then ask again. You should hear the familiar ping tone to confirm Siri is listening for your new request.

If you’ve got someone in your contacts Siri keeps mispronouncing, you can fix it. For example, if she says to you “You’ve got an appointment with Leah Smith at 1pm” — and says her first name like “Lay-ah” when in fact it’s “Lee-ah” — you can say “Siri, that’s not how you pronounce “Lee-ah.” Siri then asks you to pronounce it how you like and confirms with you. Easy peasy!

The final thing you should see is when Siri performs your desired action. Siri might open a map, an email message, a calendar entry, a restaurant listing, or show you such information as the score of your favorite team’s last game (without even opening an app). Depending on what you ask Siri, you may see — rather than hear — the information. For example, if it’s a dictionary definition or a numerical equation you’re after, you might hear something like “Here you go” or “This might answer your question” and then Siri shows you the information on the screen. Other times it’ll tell and show you the answer.

Because all requests to Siri are uploaded to a server, it’s not unheard of for the server to be temporarily inaccessible — but it doesn’t happen very often. Siri will apologize to you and ask that you please try again later. A problem with Siri isn’t an indication of a problem with your Apple Watch or iPhone, so don’t fret. The outage is usually only a couple minutes (if that), but it’s something you should be aware of.

Using the Siri watch face and Siri Shortcuts

As I cover in Chapter 4, you can choose from many different watch faces for your Apple Watch. The aptly named Siri watch face is tied to your personal assistant, updates throughout the day, and shows relevant content and information you might need based on your location, time of day, and routines. For example, you might see calendar events, boarding passes, or your favorites from the Home app (including controlling and monitoring your smart home devices). And the Siri watch face supports Siri Shortcuts. See Figure 7-2 for a look at Siri in action.

To use the Siri watch face:

1. Press and hold the watch face on your Apple Watch.
2. Swipe left and tap the New (+) tab.
3. Swipe down or twist the Digital Crown until you land on the Siri watch face.
4. Tap the center of the screen to select it.

Using Siri effectively on Apple Watch

Everything you can do with your fingers, you can do with Siri — if not more — and in less time. A good way to demonstrate its versatility is to look at a number of built-in Apple Watch apps and some examples of how you can use Siri to get what you want. See Figure 7-3.

Siri works in the main Home screen mode, while accessing the clock, or in any app you find yourself in, such as asking Siri for map directions even though you’re using the Music app at the time.

If you’re unsure about all the things Siri is capable of, say “Siri, what can you do?” on your iPhone or Apple Watch and you should see a huge list of things!

Clock/World Clock apps

Some examples of using Siri for time-related tasks include:

• “What time is it?”
• “What time is it in Dubai?” Figure 7-4 shows what you might see after asking this.
• “What time will the sun rise in Brisbane?”
• “How many days until Christmas?”
• “What day of the week will it be on June 10, 2022?”

Messages app

Some examples of using Siri for sending and receiving messages include:

• “Read me my messages.”
• “Do I have any messages from ___ (name)?”
• “Text my wife ‘Hey, hon, how’s your day going?’”
• “Text 212-555-1212. ‘I’m looking forward to our after-work drink tonight.’”
• “Text Julie and Frank ‘Where are you guys?’”
• “Reply ‘That’s awesome news!’”

Something fun to try with Siri on Apple Watch — which may amuse the kids — is to ask Siri to remind you about something really far in the future. For example, I asked Siri to remind me to kiss my wife in 10,000 years, and I was asked if it should be placed in my calendar then. (I hope someone finds a cure for mortality soon!)

Phone/Contacts apps

Some examples of using Siri for making calls or looking up Contacts information include:

• “Call Mom.”
• “Dial 212-555-1212.”
• “What’s Michael Smith’s address?”
• “What’s my sister’s work address?”
• “Learn how to pronounce my name.”
• “Show Jennifer’s location.”

Mail app

Some examples of using Siri for looking for email include:

• “Show me my email” or “Check email.”
• “Do I have any email from David Smith?” Figure 7-5 illustrates what happens when you ask for email from a specific person or company. Swipe down to see the correspondence between you and this person.
• “Show the email from Natasha yesterday.”

You can’t compose a brand-new email on your Apple Watch, but you can tap a message and reply to one. Also be aware, when you ask Siri to show you email on Apple Watch, it may suggest you look at your phone if it doesn’t support the email client you use.

Calendar app

Some examples of using Siri for accessing calendar information include:

• “Show me what appointments I have on Monday.”
• “When is my next meeting?”
• “When’s my next appointment?”
• “Move my 12 p.m. meeting to 1 p.m.”
• “Cancel the meeting at 4 p.m.”

Activity/Workout apps

Some examples of using Siri for fitness-related tasks include:

• “Open the Activity app.”
• “Open the Workout app.”
• “See Move information in Activity.”
• “See Stand information in Activity.”
• “See Exercise information in Activity.”
• “Open Indoor Walk in Workout app.”
• “What’s my heart rate?”

Maps app

Some examples of using Siri for looking for directions or for a local business include:

• “Show my location on a map.”
• “Where is my closest coffee shop?”
• “Take me home.” Figure 7-6 shows a sample result. Siri might ask you where you live the first time you say this (or it pulls the information from your Contacts).
• “Take me to Grand Central Station.”

  

• “What’s my next turn?”
• “Give me directions to Mom’s office.”
• “Find a gas station.”
• “Find the best sushi restaurant in Miami.”

Music app

Some examples of using Siri for playing music include:

• “Play Madonna.” (Figure 7-7 shows another example.)
• “Play Workout playlist.”
• “What song is this?”
• “Shuffle my music.”
• “Play rock music.”
• “Play ‘Sugar’ by Maroon 5.”
• “Skip this track.”

Speaking of music, introduced to Apple Watch in late 2019 is the ability to “Shazam” a song — that is, finding out the name of the track and who sings it — even over cellular connectivity if you don’t have your iPhone nearby.

As shown in Figure 7-8, when you hear a song that catches your ear you can raise your wrist and ask what it is.

Web searches

It’s easier than ever to use Siri for a web search on your Apple Watch. The results appear onscreen for you to read and scroll through, and you can tap a URL to take you to the appropriate page. As shown in Figure 7-9, Siri is more helpful than ever before — including the scouring of web pages for you.

Miscellaneous

Some other examples of a few other random — but fun — things you can do with Siri on Apple Watch include:

• “What’s the weather outside?”
• “What’s it going to be like this week?”

  

• “Do I need a coat?”
• “How are my stocks doing?”
• “What’s the Apple stock at?”
• “How’s the Dow Jones doing?”
• “Set an alarm for 7 a.m.”
• “Set an alarm for one hour from now.”
• “Wake me up in 30 minutes.”
• “Open Passbook.”
• “Open Stopwatch.”
• “Open Timer.”
• “Open Settings.”

Because it takes only a quick Siri request to set up a reminder, you might be tempted to do this while driving. But even a minor distraction could cause an accident, so resist using Apple Watch and Siri until you’ve parked the car.

Setting reminders by location

It’s a breeze to ask Siri to remind you of something by time — such as “Tomorrow at 10 a.m., remind me to call the dentist to book an appointment” — but did you know you can set reminders by location too?

For example, raise your wrist and say “Hey Siri, remind me to call Mom when I leave here.” Whenever you leave wherever you are — such as your office, a coffee shop, or a shopping mall — Siri reminds you to call your mom. Your nearby iPhone’s integrated GPS means it’s location-aware.

Another example: Say “Remind me to take out the trash when I get home.” Because Siri accesses your home address from your iPhone’s Contacts app, you won’t be reminded of the chore until you pull into the driveway.

If you haven’t added your home address information yet, see the “Setting Up Siri on Your Apple Watch” section for how to do this.

Reading your texts

Many Siri users are aware you can dictate your text messages; simply say something like “Hey Siri, text Mary Smith ‘Please don’t forget to call the florist for tomorrow’s event.’”

But did you know you can have your text messages read to you? Raise your wrist or press the Digital Crown button and then say something like “Read my texts.” Once Siri reads a message to you, you can say something like “Reply saying ‘That’s an excellent idea — thanks’” or “Tell her I’ll be there in 20 minutes.”

You can also ask Siri something like “Do I have any texts from Mary?”

Calculating numbers

Siri includes support from Wolfram|Alpha’s vast database of facts, definitions, and even pop culture information. (For example, ask Siri who shot J.R. or Mr. Burns!) But you can also ask Siri to perform math problems for you. If you’re adding up checks to deposit at the bank, for example, ask Siri something like “What’s $140.40 plus $245.12 plus $742.30 plus $472.90?” and within a moment, you should hear the correct answer (which is $1,600.72).

If you’re out with friends at a restaurant and the bill comes to, say, $200, you can also ask Siri something like “What’s an 18 percent tip on $200?” and Siri tells you how much that is ($36).

Of course, Siri can also handle multiplication, subtraction, equations, fractions, and more. All you have to do is ask!

Finding your friends

If you’re not familiar with the Find People app on Apple Watch or Find My app on iPhone, it uses GPS to provide your geographical location to people you choose to share this information with, such as a spouse, kids, grandkids, friends, or coworkers. Once you add consensual people, you can also see their whereabouts on a map — represented by colored orbs — and get the address they’re at if desired.

You probably saw this one coming: You can use Siri to get the most from the Find People app. Raise your wrist and say “Hey Siri, where are my friends?” The Find People app opens, and you should see who’s around and how far they are from you. Now you can send someone a message, such as “Let’s grab a coffee” on your phone. You can also ask Siri something like “Is my husband at home,” “Where’s John Smith,” “Find my sister,” or “Where’s Julie.”

To get started, go to the Find My app on your iPhone to set things up on your Apple Watch and to add friends; you can’t do this from Apple Watch. You can then enjoy this feature because all models have integrated GPS (except the first Apple Watch in 2015).

Say: “What’s the best smartwatch?”

You don’t expect Siri to recommend a rival Android-powered watch, do you? Instead, it answers this question with “The Apple Watch will show you a really good time” or “I say Apple Watch — hands down” or another answer.

Say: “I love you, Siri.”

Deep down, Siri might be flattered, but it suggests otherwise. Siri might write something like “You hardly know me” or “That’s nice — can we get back to work now?” or “Impossible!”

Say: “Siri, I’m bored.”

If you find yourself bored while wearing your Apple Watch, you can tell Siri how you’re feeling and it replies with something like “Not with me, I hope.” Or it’ll converse with you — be it offering a story, song lyrics, or a poem or engaging in a “knock, knock” exchange if it’s in the mood.

Say: “Who’s your daddy?”

This one borders on the naughty. While Siri was a little reluctant at first, it knows which side its bread is buttered. You might hear “You are” or perhaps something like “I know this must mean something — everybody keeps asking me this question.”

Say: “What’s the meaning of life?”

You can ask Siri a profound question, such as “What’s the meaning of life?” and although it might give you a literal translation, you might also see a reply with something cheeky, such as “A movie” or “All evidence to date suggests it’s chocolate.” Or “I don’t know, but I think there’s an app for that.”

Say: “Will you marry me?”

After professing my affection for Siri (it writes “That’s sweet,” “I sure have received a lot of marriage proposals lately,” or “You are the wind beneath my wings”), I went for it and asked for Siri’s, uh, hand in marriage. Its reply: “Let’s just be friends, okay?”