14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has recently been granted a patent for new technology that would allow digital assistant Siri to detect when a user is whispering and respond quietly.
Originally applied for in 2016, the patent describes a technology that automatically recognizes the owner’s whispered words and reacts accordingly, with Apple offering several cases when such a technology would come in handy.
While it’s not hard to imagine when talking quietly to the digital assistant would make more sense, Apple says such a feature makes sense in a library or at work when you don’t want to bother co-workers.
“A user may ask the device a question while working at a cubicle with other co-workers surrounding the user. A user may also ask the device a question while attending a meeting in a conference room with other meeting participants. A user may also speak to the device while studying in a library where speaking loudly may be prohibited,” Apple says, adding that Siri would have the capabilities of offering whispered speech as well.
Just in patent stage for now
iPhone and Apple Watch already have the technical capabilities to determine the amplitude and frequency of input speech to detect whispering, Apple says, so at first glance, it all seems to come down to a software update.
It goes without saying that whispering could also enable a series of other features in Siri, though at this point it’s too early to discuss such updates. Siri, however, could be provided with more information if it’s being provided quietly, including sensitive details which you wouldn’t want to share with anyone else.
But as it typically happens with patents, there’s no guarantee such a feature would ever make it to the market, though at first glance, it really makes sense. The next iPhone generation and iOS update are expected next year, so Apple has plenty of time to get Siri whispering right if it wants to roll it out publicly.