Let's dive into the world of Siri AI on macOS and explore the potential of this new feature. I, for one, am intrigued by the possibilities it presents, especially after my initial 24-hour trial with the developer beta.
The Early Days of Siri AI on macOS
I must admit, I've been a bit of a skeptic when it comes to Siri and Apple Intelligence. However, the new Siri AI has sparked a glimmer of interest. It's still very much a work in progress, but there are some intriguing aspects to it.
A Different Experience on Mac vs. iPhone
One thing that immediately stands out is the contrast between using Siri AI on a Mac and an iPhone. On the iPhone, with its integrated Apple apps and services, Siri AI seems to shine. It can access your photos, messages, and other data with ease. But on a Mac, where users often juggle various apps and ecosystems, Siri's capabilities are more limited.
For instance, when I tried to find pictures of cats or babies, Siri only searched Apple's Photos and Messages apps, ignoring my Google Photos and Signal messages. This highlights a key challenge: Siri's effectiveness depends on the user's digital habits and the apps they rely on.
Automating Tasks: A Mixed Bag
I explored the idea of automating tasks with Siri AI, particularly for my laptop review benchmarks. While Siri can launch apps, it can't execute actions within them. I tried using Shortcuts, but the results were underwhelming. The automation couldn't run the benchmark tests, which is a significant limitation.
However, Siri AI showed promise in analyzing data. I asked it to calculate average scores from benchmark screenshots, and it mostly delivered. It could distinguish between different types of scores and arrange them in tables. But it struggled with more complex scenarios, like when I mixed different types of tests or included ranking data.
Visual Intelligence: A Work in Progress
Siri's Visual Intelligence feature, reminiscent of Microsoft's Copilot Vision, allows users to ask questions about things on their screen. I tested this by asking Siri to evaluate benchmark results in a Google Sheets spreadsheet. However, Siri couldn't see all the data unless it was visible on-screen, which is a significant drawback.
I also tried using Siri to enhance a black-and-white photo to resemble the style of street photographer Alan Schaller. Siri provided specific adjustments, and the result was decent. But when I asked Siri to judge the result, it gave me an overly flattering response, which is not what Apple intended. This raises questions about Siri's ability to provide constructive feedback.
The Future of Siri AI
It's still early days for Siri AI, and there's a long way to go. The experience will likely vary greatly depending on the user's digital ecosystem. For some, Siri AI might be a game-changer, especially on an iPhone. But for power users like me, who rely on various apps and services, Siri's limitations are more apparent.
Despite the challenges, I'm optimistic about Siri AI's potential. It's a step in the right direction for Apple, and I look forward to seeing how it evolves. After all, every journey begins with a single step, and Siri AI is taking its first tentative steps into the world of artificial intelligence.
