Siri features hands-free activation, Shazam integration in iOS 8

By Joseph Keller
last updated

iOS 8 will feature some important updates for Siri. This includes some hands-free functionality, the rumored Shazam functionality, and streaming voice recognition.

When you plug Siri in, in your car, for instance, you will be able to activate Siri simply by saying "Hey Siri". Additionally, the Siri can now identify songs using Shazam, which was originally rumored a couple of months ago. Siri will also support streaming voice recognition, letting you see what Siri is hearing as you speak, and enabling a faster response. The digital assisstant will also feature support for 22 languages with iOS 8.

Keep up-to-date with the latest on iOS 8 with our WWDC Keynote liveblog!

Joseph Keller
Joseph Keller

Joseph Keller is the former Editor in Chief of iMore. An Apple user for almost 20 years, he spends his time learning the ins and outs of iOS and macOS, always finding ways of getting the most out of his iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac.

22 Comments
  • And still no on-device processing - major disappointment. Sent from the iMore App
  • Sounds a lot like Cortana. Plus the hands-free style fond in the Moto-X.
  • So will the "Hey Siri" work if you don't plug the iPhone into a car? Does it have "always listening" capability like the Moto X, and if so, I wonder how that will impact battery life? I have a funny feeling that this feature will be reserved for latest generation iOS devices only. Apple has a habit of neutering new iOS features when it comes to older devices.
  • Don't be so negative. While it is a possibility seems like Apple usually keeps the WOW factor features for closer to phone launch. They wouldn't want to tip the deck too soon for what is to come. Only time will tell though, cheers. Sent from the iMore App
  • Don't be so negative. While it is a possibility seems like Apple usually keeps the WOW factor features for closer to phone launch. They wouldn't want to tip the deck too soon for what is to come. Only time will tell though, cheers. Sent from the iMore App
  • Sounds like it's only while the device is charging, so battery impact is zero until they release their own always-listening processor cores.
  • If that's true then it's a half-baked implementation. I absolutely love being able to make phone calls, set alarms and create reminders on my Moto X without having to physically pick up the phone. Forcing an iDevice to be plugged in to make the "Hey Siri" feature work is wonky, IMHO.
  • Most iPhones are in a battery case, i.e., plugged in. A workaround, I know, but useful
  • Really? How do you figure that? Of the dozens of people I know with iPhones and the hundreds I've seen out in the world, only one of them has it in a battery case.
  • Fine by me if it only works when plugged into power. I, for one, do not want it always eavesdropping on me. However, completely hands-free in the car would be awesome. I can't activate Siri via BT with any BT deviceI have, including my car, and (First World Problem!) where I have the phone mounted on the dash, it's "inconvenient" to press and hold the Home button.
  • "Hey, Siri" sounds oddly familiar to "Hey, Google" that Android users have been saying for the the past two years almost lol
  • But now it's Brand New!
  • Only Android users don't say 'Hey, Google' its 'Ok, Google' and the idea of constant actively listening devices is new, not 2 years old.
  • You are correct, it is "Ok, Google". As I Nexus 5 owner I should've known that. But we've had the functional, smart voice recognition for a while with Google Now. And the Moto X last year had always listening capabilties
  • Any word on the which new languages the 22 are?
  • I would like to know that too. We here in Sweden has been waiting a LOOOOONG time. Seems silly saying "Call my Wife" in the store in English over here :D
  • I also hope it comes in Danish
  • And Finnish!
  • i love my moto x
  • So Apple is in the acquisition stage rather than internal innovation. Think back to when Apple maps was first released and they realized Google maps is better. They acquired beats rather than create a similar service within iTunes. They use Shazam rather than use their own recognition software like Google does.
    iMore App via Nexus 5.
  • Does anyone know what are the 22 new dictation languages that will be available to siri with iOS8?
  • In ios 8 beta 1 I am able to say hey siri while on the siri screen without being plugged in and it works.