Apple has prominently featured Siri in iOS 18 and macOS 15, enhancing the virtual assistant with integration to ChatGPT and future collaborations with Apple Intelligence. One significant upgrade is the ease of text-based interactions with Siri, a feature I believe should be integrated with Spotlight.
A Merge Between Siri and Spotlight
While the ability to communicate with Siri via typing is not new, the introduction of iOS 18 and macOS 15 brings a revamped interface that facilitates text entry significantly.
On iPhones and iPads, you can access the virtual keyboard by double-tapping the Home Indicator on the screen’s bottom. For Mac users, the Type to Siri feature is now set as the default interaction mode, with the microphone option available for users preferring voice commands.
Siri offers a variety of functionalities, such as checking the weather, setting timers, browsing the web, and locating specific images. With a forthcoming software update expected early next year, Siri will enhance its capability to control applications and utilize your personal data more effectively. Many of these functions overlap with what Spotlight currently provides.
The interfaces for the new Siri and Spotlight are quite similar, especially on the Mac, where both appear as a floating bar on-screen. I can envision incorporating the current Siri suggestions interface while typing to display Spotlight results as well.
Looking ahead, Siri is set to achieve deeper integration with applications next year, enhancing its search efficiency.
Having two similar interfaces that serve the same purpose appears somewhat redundant, reminiscent of Windows having two Control Panels for many years. It’s understandable that Apple has just rolled out the new Siri, so perhaps the company prefers to take its time before merging Siri and Spotlight.
What are your thoughts? Would you support the idea of Apple unifying Siri and Spotlight into a single interface? Share your views in the comments section below.
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