Tech Tips: iOS 15 Makes Changes to Siri

Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Specialist

iOS is the operating system for Apple devices. Throughout the year, Apple continuously makes changes to this system adding improvements and fixing bugs. In September of each year, a major update is released with many changes and fixes affecting your devices. You can expect many of the apps on your iPhone and iPad to change or offer other options. Apple Wallet, Apple Maps, Safari, and Notifications will all have new features.

iOS 15 will allow Siri, Apple’s digital voice assistant, to work without an Internet connection. The

artificial intelligence (AI) will be able to open apps, set timers and reminders, and tell you the time. Informational queries will still require Wi-Fi or a grid connection. Unfortunately, as of this printing, Siri has lost support for email and voicemail. Hopefully, this is an oversight on Apple’s part that will be corrected with the release of iOS 15.1.

Tech Tip: Siri Always On

Tech Tips: Siri Always On

Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Specialist

Apple has introduced IOS 13.4 to iPhone and IPad users.  One of the new skills presented in this update gives users the option to have Siri always on.  As you are aware, Siri is the personal assistant available in most I-devices.  By default, the always-on feature is not activated. 

If you would like Siri to always be listening, here is what you must do.  If you don't have "hey Siri" set up go to settings, Siri and search, listen to hey Siri.  If Hey Siri is not on this button will be off.  Double-tap with one finger to turn it on and it will walk you through the process.

Now that Hey Siri is turned on; do this so that it is "always-on".  Go to Settings, Accessibility, Siri, and make sure the "always listen for hey Siri is on.  If it is off, double-tap with one finger to toggle it on.

Now you are set.  As long as Siri can hear your voice, it will respond to you regardless of where your iPhone is located or whether it is face up or face down.

Tech Tips: Rotor on iOS

Tech Tips: Rotor on iOS

Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Specialist

The rotor gesture for the iPhone is considered to be the hardest move to master.  Place your thumb and forefinger in the center of the screen and turn to the left (counterclockwise).  As you turn, you should hear items such as language, speaking rate, words, characters, etc.  Of these, the speaking rate is probably the most important to a new smartphone user.  Once you hear the device say speaking rate, then you can either flick up with one finger to increase the speaking rate or flick down with one finger to decrease it.  Once the speaking rate is set, you may want to do the rotor move again so that the focus in no longer on that option.  

There is a second option if the rotor gesture should prove to be too difficult.  Place your forefinger from one hand in the center of your phone.  Now take the forefinger from your other hand and begin to make a semi-circle above the finger that is planted on the phone.  You should hear the options mentioned above.

If you want to add or subtract the options mentioned in rotor, ask Siri to launch your voiceover settings and swipe to rotor.  Now you can select or deselect items by doing one finger double tap on each item presented.