Siri has actually gotten worse for me over time

[xxray]

I used to think that people were being overly critical of Siri when the jokes would come up about how terrible she/it is. But no, they were right. It’s bad.

• I used to be able to reliably and consistently get a response from “Hey, Siri!” a few years ago. It’s spotty now.
• I ask Siri to turn off the light in my bedroom, something she’s done a hundred times before. “I’m sorry, it looks like you don’t have a HomeKit accessory set up.”
• There’s been numerous times now where I say “Hey, Siri,” and she responds, or I just press the Siri button, and the Siri icon flashes on the screen, but as soon as I ask for something, Siri just straight up ignores me and completely disappears.
• I will ask Siri to play the specific name of an Apple Music playlist, and instead, it will play a radio station of similar music instead of the playlist I asked for.
• I said “hey, Siri” across the room while I was cooking with my hands full, and I saw her light up on my screen. I told her to add something to my grocery list. So I checked my grocery list when I had a chance. The item was never added.
• She seems to mishear me a lot more often than she used to, whether it’s asking for a specific song or artist on Apple Music, or which reminder list I’m referring to.
• “Hmm I didn’t catch that” even though I’m speaking to her no differently than I usually do.

You’d think with the microphones, processing power, neural engine, and AI only getting better on phones that Siri would only be getting better, but somehow, she’s done the opposite. It’s such a frustrating experience. I don’t know how Apple execs and workers use this everyday and think it’s okay.

 

[randomgeeza]

Same, I can ask for the light to come on and somehow the door unlocks... It is sooooooooo stooopid!

 

[ericwn]

Similar experience here. Particularly frustrating is the playlist issue to me.

 

[JW5566]

I can report that things are no better on the other side of the fence.

My Philips Hue lights have never worked properly, randomly coming back on between 1 and 2 minutes after switching off. But not all the time, just now and again. Getting up in the morning to find a light has been on all night is pretty frustrating. It got to the point where I would switch them off and then wait in the dark to see if any would come back on. Tried updating firmware (many times), factory resets (many times), changed routers, changed from Android to Apple then to Alexa... no joy.

A few months ago I metaphorically ripped them out after over 5 frustrating years and went back to old fashioned lights with normal on/off buttons like my grandparents apparently used What a relief! Not only do they work fine, they stay off when switched off, don't all come on by default after a power cut, I get some great exercise including bending down which I just didn't get from the sofa (no sarcasm intended, smart homes encourage sedentary habits).

Don't get me started on Alexa. Oh go on then... Let's start with the sheer frustration of it not being able even to turn a smart light on/off if the internet connection has dropped. Computer says no. Seems to need a net connection to process your commands. I get that for complex queries but to switch something on or off on the local network? Then there's the notifications she keeps giving me to buy coffee. I have never bought coffee on amazon - it's a weird crossover from my other half's account (despite my account being separate, in a different physical house etc.).

Then there's a dozen or so third party "smart" plugs that turn into a nightmare to set up, or randomly freeze, usually the ones in awkward places. Or how about my CCTV that stops sending movement detection alerts after a couple of days, maybe as it gets "tired". What's the use of that? Or our LIFX with a life of its own? Or the LIFX that just bricked for no reason (expensive and out of warranty)?

I'm now a smart light free, smart plug free and Alexa free household and it FEELS GREAT. Everything works again!

Smart household = without doubt the biggest technological disappointments I have ever experienced. Very much solutions looking for problems.

 

[echopulse]

I agree it's the same for me. I ask to send a text or make a call and nothing happens, even though Siri has already started listening. It's madding. I drive a lot and like to make calls or send texts when I'm in the car. I really wish they would fix it. I wondered if it's just the beta, but it's still doing it with the RC.

 

[meady100]

Other than for setting timers, which I find extremely helpful, it's basically unusable. It never fails to get the wrong end of the stick or misinterpret my command altogether.

 

[Vlad Soare]

Same here. Siri has got increasingly stupid and useless as time went by. I've stopped using it altogether.

 

[minimo3]

If you drive by someone yelling in their car that would be me shouting “hey Siri” multiple times just to get it to activate