Can't we use another name than Siri?

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Level 1

8 points

Can't we use another name than Siri?

Can't we use another name than Siri? I use Homepod for AirBnB security and it starts playing randomly in the middle of the night disturbing my renters... now I cannot control it remotely - BIG PROBLEM!!!

Posted on Dec 18, 2022 02:03 PM

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Answer 1

zeuter Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 19, 2022 08:43 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Yeah, renters shouldn't have to be "told" to do anything... not 5 star behaviour, mate! Problem shouldn't happen and the fact that is still does is testimony to the fact that when you call Apple Support TWICE about the same thing - THEY should be able to file the suggestion on my behalf, "please go ahead". I am not stopping them from improving their product, not a privacy concern. Do they WANT to be more distant from their customers? Huh? How many people will bother to file a suggestion? Is that how you want to base your Quality of Service? Like I said, not Steve...

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Answer 2

Carol B.

Level 6

17,061 points

Dec 19, 2022 08:59 AM in response to zeuter

This is not a direct answer but it is a possible work around that may help. For full details on how to adjust Siri settings, check here: Change Siri settings on iPhone - Apple Support

The part I specifically want to draw your attention is this - copied from Help:

Change when Siri responds

You can customize if Siri responds to your voice or a button press. You can also choose what language Siri responds to.

Go to Settings > Siri & Search, then do any of the following:

Prevent Siri from responding to the voice request “Hey Siri”: Turn off Listen for “Hey Siri.”

I realize you are using the HomePod for security reasons but perhaps this will do the trick?

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Answer 3

Rudegar

Level 10

178,872 points

Dec 19, 2022 05:42 AM in response to zeuter

technology really, they use a spec name / sound to be able to insure it does not trigger all the times when people are having a normal conversation with other people, if they change it to no name required it becomes difficult, if they make it custom then it's difficult to differentiate between hey Niel and hey Neel and hey Neil and other sounds which can sound the same depending on the accent and voice of the speaker.

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Answer 4

Dec 19, 2022 07:18 AM in response to zeuter

zeuter wrote:

That's what I am doing, why make it difficult?

No, you're not making a suggestion to Apple by posting here. Apple doesn't read here in this user-to-user forum for feedback or suggestions. If you truly want Apple to know your thoughts, use the feedback link that Rudegar has kindly provided for you.

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Answer 5

zeuter Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 19, 2022 07:45 AM in response to zeuter

Just so you understand, the HomePod is blaring away after my iPad update. I am travelling and cannot turn it off. My renters cannot sleep. Apple Support told me to update the HomePod. I did it, it rebooted and still blaring away and I still cannot control it remotely. BTW, I asked Apple, why would it spontaneously start playing, when it not supposed to play when I am away? They thought the Renter's voice may have triggered it. Hence my question, twice to Apple Support and now I must figure out how to report it? Seems dumb to me, not Apple-like... missing Steve!

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Answer 6

Dec 19, 2022 08:34 AM in response to zeuter

zeuter wrote:

Well, did that already, but why two steps? I already talked to Apple Support twice... seems a bit redundant. Need less AI and more I!

No one here in this user-to-user forum would know why Apple chooses to do it the way the do. However, I would suspect that a big part of it is that it would be impractical to have people monitoring one of the largest forums of its kind in the world for suggestions. It's more efficient for suggestions and feedback to come in separately from questions about how to use Focus, rants about the most recent change Apple has made, questions on how to recent a passcode and how to set up formulas in Numbers.

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Answer 7

Dec 19, 2022 08:35 AM in response to zeuter

zeuter wrote:

BTW, I asked Apple, why would it spontaneously start playing, when it not supposed to play when I am away? They thought the Renter's voice may have triggered it.

Have you suggested to the renters that they say, "Hey, Siri, stop the music."

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Answer 8

zeuter Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 19, 2022 09:07 AM in response to Carol B.

Yes, I don't need to be able to talk to it, I was going to tape over the microphone... but since I am not there, I cannot control it now after the update so it is blaring away. THAT is the problem. I tried yelling thru my security camera in the same room "Hey Siri SHUT UP!" but not working.

The "Siri" name thing is just obvious. Humans deserve a choice. Right? What, they think they will get more service requests if they change it? Either way, it is bureaucrapotics, manipulative and uncharacteristic of "old" Apple... coz I'm old - haha!

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Answer 9

Carol B.

Level 6

17,061 points

Dec 19, 2022 09:17 AM in response to zeuter

Please understand you are not addressing Apple in this forum. This is a place where users can ask other users technical questions. If something is possible, we will offers instructions. If it is not, all we can do is try to offer a workaround or explain how to offer feedback directly to Apple. We cannot change … and do not want to debate … Apple’s decisions.

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