The power of Siri

By Kym Ong

MDS Treasurer

The first MDS event for 2015, though somewhat belated, kicked the year off to a resounding start. We were grateful to have Apple host us and provide us with 30 brand new iPhone 6 and 6+ during this training session which was conducted by Junior Tan. 

We have all heard of the prowess of the Siri function, and what better way than to learn from the Apple experts how Siri can help the vision-impaired in our everyday lives. The 90 minute session which overran was interactive as members diligently took notes and tried their hand at asking Siri for the date, time, and advice for the best dim sum in town.

Junior shared with members how Siri can send messages, call loved ones without needing to view the screen. Junior also taught us how a simple Settings function can enlarge the text on the screen so it’s easier on our less than perfect vision. Reader Mode, Speak Screen, VoiceOver, these were all functions we dreamt off, but do actually exist in this age of advanced technology, all packed into a small device, the iPhone. 

Here are notes taken during the session. Steps may vary slightly depending on the iphone version. Please also refer to tinyurl.com/siriug, which is what Junior refers to as the Ultimate Guide to Siri.

Once again, we would like to thank Apple for their precious time and generosity. In a fast paced society like ours, we are heartened that we are not left behind and reminded we should embrace the opportunities that technology presents us to help us lead a more fulfilling life.

SIRI

1) Activate Siri: Settings è General è Siri

- Press Home button and hold to activate Siri. If you do not wish to press the home button, you can activate “Hey Siri” but use it when the phone is charging.

- Remember to setup “My Info” by setting yourself up as a contact.

- Under Contacts, search for yourself è Editè scroll through and add as much information as possible, include loved ones and friends under “add related name” so Siri can call them easily.

2) Siri is akin to a personal assistant, and you can use Siri to minimize needing to look at the phone.

- To send a message, the keyword to Siri is “Tell”. E.g. “Tell Mum I love her”.

- To call a loved one, the keyword to Siri is “Call”. E.g. “Call Mum”.

- Siri can check new emails “Do I have any new emails?” and read your emails “Read me the last email”

- Siri can set a reminder, keyword is “Remind” E.g. Remind me to buy milk when I’m near home”. You can share Reminders using iCloud with other iCloud users.

- Check your calendar “What do I have on my calendar today?”

3) You can teach Siri how to pronounce certain names “Learn how to say this name”.

Other Settings

1) Zoom, Enlarge Text and Bold: Settings è General è Accessibility

2) On any specific news link, click on the horizontal stripes icon that is on the top left hand corner next to the website address. This will activate Reader Mode.

3) For Speak Screen, go to Settings è General è Accessibility è Speech è Speak Screen