iOS App Siri Integration: Steps to Integrate into Third-Party

Introduction

One of the biggest announcements that Apple ever made was during Apple’s WWDC: the Siri API is now available to developers. This new framework is known as SiriKit, and it allows developers to integrate Siri into their apps, making it easier to get things done.

Imagine if you could get these tasks done through your apps:

• “Hey Siri, pay the phone bill via Pay App.”
• “Hey Siri, add flour to the grocery list in My Lists App.”
• “Hey Siri, message a Thank You to Dad via Messaging App.”

This is what you can achieve by integrating Siri with your applications. In this article, we will discuss how you can integrate Siri into apps and use voice commands to complete various tasks.

Understanding Siri

Siri, developed by Apple, is a voice-activated assistant that uses artificial intelligence to perform tasks through voice commands. Launched in 2011, Siri has become an integral part of the Apple ecosystem, available across iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple TVs, and more.

What is Siri?

Siri, developed by Apple in 2011, is the first AI voice recognition assistant. It was initially programmed using Objective-C for platforms like the iPhone, Apple iPad, Macintosh, and Apple TV. Siri’s introduction marked a significant milestone, allowing users to control their devices using voice commands.

Since its debut, Siri has been widely embraced by users. However, iOS app developers initially faced restrictions in utilizing the Siri framework in their applications. Despite these limitations, Siri continues to be used by millions worldwide. With the introduction of SiriKit, Siri’s integration into third-party apps is expected to grow, driven by the expanding voice recognition market, which is projected to reach $13.8 billion by 2023.

How Does Siri Work?

Siri operates using two core technologies: voice recognition and natural language processing. When a user issues a voice command, Siri converts the spoken words into text. For example, when you say “Hey Siri,” the phrase appears on the screen, signaling that Siri is ready to accept further commands.

Accents and dialects present challenges for voice recognition. To address this, Apple engineers employed machine learning to train various models, significantly reducing speech recognition errors to around 10%.

With SiriKit, developers can now integrate this technology into other apps, enabling Siri to work seamlessly with third-party applications.

What is SiriKit?

SiriKit is a framework developed by Apple that allows iOS app developers to integrate Siri’s functionality into their applications. Initially, Siri integration was limited to specific app types like ride booking, messaging, photo search, payments, VoIP calling, and health. However, with the release of iOS 12, the range of supported apps has expanded.

For users, Siri simplifies tasks through voice commands. For developers, implementing Siri’s functionality can be complex. SiriKit eases this process, allowing developers to add voice command features without managing the conversational aspects.

SiriKit iOS supports various app domains, each with specific intents. A domain is a category of knowledge Siri can understand, while intents are actions Siri can perform within that domain. For example, in the “Payments” domain, transferring funds and bill payments are intents.

Supported domains include:

• Lists
• Visual codes
• Ride booking
• Messaging
• Photo search
• Payments
• Climate and radio
• Workouts
• VoIP calling
• Car commands
• Car Play
• Restaurant reservations
• Media

What Can Siri Do for You?

Siri is a versatile assistant that can perform a wide range of tasks on iOS devices. It can set reminders, place calls, start FaceTime chats, launch apps, send messages, set up calendar events, get directions, play music, and find restaurants, among other functions.

Siri’s ability to answer “human-like” questions and provide candid responses enhances user experience. Integration with compatible apps further extends Siri’s capabilities, making it an invaluable tool for daily tasks.

Pros and Cons of Using queen SiriKit iOS Apps

Pros:

1. The voice recognition market is projected to reach $18.3 billion by 2023, offering significant opportunities for iPhone app developers.
2. SiriKit enhances app performance and user experience.
3. It supports various app types, including video and audio calling, messaging, workouts, and payments.
4. SiriKit follows a straightforward process: Speech, Intent, Action, and Response.
5. Siri confirms user commands before execution, reducing the risk of errors.
6. Developers can design custom UIs for Siri integration, providing a seamless user experience.
7. The potential for Siri and compatible apps is promising, with continued improvements expected.

Cons:

1. SiriKit is only available for iOS 10 and later versions, limiting its initial market.
2. Developers can specify custom commands, but there are word limitations.
3. SiriKit is not yet available for macOS Sierra.
4. Siri may misinterpret commands due to accent variations.

Market and Competition

Apple has seen significant growth in the mobile app market. However, Siri’s integration with third-party apps lagged behind competitors like Google Now, Windows Cortana, and Amazon’s Alexa. The voice recognition market is highly competitive, with major players including:

• Nuance Communications
• Agnitio Corp
• Auraya Systems
• Brainasoft
• VoiceBox Technologies
• Fulcrum Biometrics

Neurotechnology

VoiceTrust

Despite being a late entrant, Apple’s advancements in Siri and SiriKit indicate a strong potential to catch up and possibly surpass competitors in the future.

How to Integrate Siri in Your App

Integrating Siri into your app involves adding intent extensions, which allow apps to interact and share data. Siri uses two extensions:

Intent Extension and Intent UI Extension.

1. Intent Extension: This enables interaction between Siri and the app.
2. Intent UI Extension: This allows developers to create custom views for Siri interactions.

To implement intents:

• Edit the intents extension’s info.plist to specify acceptable requests.
• Define specific words for processing requests.
• Enable Siri in the App ID.

Follow these steps to test:

1. Select the Intents Extension target.
2. Run it.
3. Choose Siri when prompted by Xcode.
4. Interact with Siri to test the integration.

Examples of Siri Third-Party Apps

• Pinterest: “Hey Siri, find some room decor pins on Pinterest.”
• WhatsApp: “Hey Siri, send a message to Claudia saying I’ll call her back in 15 minutes.”
• Trello: “Hey Siri, show me my project board.”
• LinkedIn: “Hey Siri, send a LinkedIn message to George saying, ‘Thanks for connecting.’”

Future of Siri

With iOS 12.1 and SiriKit, Apple continues to enhance Siri’s capabilities. The convenience of voice commands is transforming user interactions, and Apple is likely to expand Siri’s functionality further. As AI-driven voice recognition technologies evolve, Siri will play a crucial role in shaping future user experiences.

Contact Our iOS Experts

If you want to learn more about extending your iOS app with SiriKit, contact our team of experts. We’re here to help you integrate Siri into your applications and take full advantage of this innovative technology.

Conclusion

Integrating Siri into your iOS app can significantly enhance user experience and accessibility. SiriKit provides developers with the tools to create custom voice-activated features, making apps more intuitive and efficient. As the voice recognition market continues to grow, integrating Siri can position your app at the forefront of innovation. Hire CMS developer Now!

FAQs

What apps does Siri work with?

Siri works with various apps, including messaging, payments, ride booking, and photo search apps. Popular examples include WhatsApp, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.

Can Siri control third-party apps?

Yes, Siri can control third-party apps using SiriKit. Developers can integrate Siri commands into their apps to perform specific tasks.

How does Siri handle different accents?

Siri uses machine learning models to recognize and process various accents. Continuous training improves Siri’s accuracy in understanding different dialects.

Is SiriKit available for macOS?

Currently, SiriKit is primarily available for iOS. While macOS includes Siri, the integration options are more limited compared to iOS.

How can I get started with iOS Siri integration?

To get started, familiarize yourself with SiriKit documentation and create intent extensions in Xcode. Define and implement intents to handle user requests effectively.

How to integrate Siri in iOS app Swift?

To Siri integration in iOS swift, follow these steps:

1. Enable Siri in your app’s capabilities: Go to your Xcode project settings, select your target, and enable Siri in the Capabilities tab.
2. Add SiriKit framework: Import SiriKit in your app by adding import Intents.
3. Create Intent Handlers: Implement intent handler classes to handle user requests. These classes should conform to the protocols defined by SiriKit.
4. Configure Info.plist: Add supported intents in your Info.plist file to let Siri know what your app can handle.
5. Request Siri authorization: Prompt users to allow Siri access to your app using INPreferences.requestSiriAuthorization.

How to integrate Siri in iOS app?

To integrate Siri in an iOS app:

1. Enable Siri capability: Go to your Xcode project settings and enable Siri in the Capabilities tab.
2. Add SiriKit framework: Import SiriKit by adding import Intents.
3. Create intent handlers: Implement classes that handle Siri requests by conforming to SiriKit protocols.
4. Configure Info.plist: Add supported intents in your Info.plist file.
5. Request Siri authorization: Use INPreferences.requestSiriAuthorization to prompt users for permission.

How to integrate Siri in iOS app Objective-C?

To integrate Siri in an iOS app using Objective-C:

1. Enable Siri capability: In Xcode project settings, enable Siri in the Capabilities tab.
2. Add SiriKit framework: Import SiriKit with @import Intents;.
3. Create intent handlers: Implement handler classes conforming to SiriKit protocols.
4. Configure Info.plist: Add supported intents in the Info.plist file.
5. Request Siri authorization: Use [INPreferences requestSiriAuthorization:] to request user permission.