Apple's latest update, iOS 15.4, will include new features. One of them is the new voice for Siri, Apple's virtual assistant is expected to be less explicitly male or female sounding.
Apple Siri New Voice
According to Axios, the new Siri voice is a part of Apple's effort to offer a more diverse array of options. In 2021, it added two Siri options recorded by Black voice actors.
The new voice will be under option number 5 in the Siri UI menu. It will be included in the beta versions of iOS 15.4, which developers have been testing since Feb. 22.
As of last year, Siri no longer defaults to a female voice. Apple users need to select their preferences from the available options.
The tech giant confirmed that the new voice was recorded by a member of the LGBTQ+ community but did not give any more details.
Apple told Axios that they are looking forward to introducing a new Siri voice for English speakers, giving them more options to select a voice that speaks to them.
The tech giant added that millions of people worldwide rely on Siri daily to help get things done, so they are working to make the experience as personalized as possible.
Siri Dutch Voice Recognition
Aside from changing the voice, Apple is also adding Dutch voice recognition for Siri on the latest HomePod 15.4 beta. It is only a matter of time until the tech giant finally releases the HomePod mini in the Netherlands.
According to iCulture, Apple is adding Dutch voice recognition for Siri on the HomePod with the latest software update.
A few versions before that, with 15.2, the tech giant had already brought support to Dutch on the HomePod but it did not have any voice recognition feature.
With HomePod 15.3, the tech giant enabled multi-user support for users with Siri configured in Italian. With HomePod 15.2, Apple added the same feature, but it was made for German speakers.
In the past year, Apple expanded the availability of the HomePod mini for a lot of countries like Italy, Austria, Germany, New Zealand, and Ireland.
Aside from that, version 1.54 of HomePod will also bring a clever way to sign in to captive Wi-Fi networks. Apple stated that 15.4 OS would add captive Wi-Fi network support. This means that you can use your iPhone or iPad to connect with Apple TV and HomePod to networks that need sign-in steps.
Apple is also fixing the issue with AirTags by adding an anti-stalking feature. Others have used the device for stalking and stealing, according to Apple Insider.
The tech giant has made other minor changes, including removing the ability to disable Item Safety Alerts. Apple has also included customization for tracking notifications and Find My Network notifications.
The anti-stalking mechanisms, added in the iOS 15.4 update, are only part of a broader slate of solutions for AirTag misuse.
Later this year, Apple says it will release other features like Precision Finding for unknown AirTags and a more noticeable beeping of the device.
Related Article: Microsoft Advancing Talks to Acquire Apple's Siri AI Developer, Nuance Communications, for $16B
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Written by Sophie Webster
