An Early Sign That iOS Apps And Developers Will Get Access To Siri?
File this under idle speculation, but interesting enough to think about.
The recent update to Apple’s Apple Store iOS app — the app for its online and retail stores — includes this feature: “Ask Siri to help you find prices and shop for Apple products. (Siri-enabled device required.)”
That is, you can ask Siri things like: “How much does the iPad mini cost?” and it will launch the Apple Store app and take you to the iPad page.
This is the first time I’ve ever seen an App Store update that specifically claims to add features and compatibility to Siri. Of course, this is Apple itself adding this feature, not a third-party app or developer; Apple plays by separate rules.
But it’s interesting that an App Store app — not something pre-loaded with the system, or built into the OS — can now be “updated” to work with Siri. (At least, that’s what it looks like happened. A server-side update seems to be driving the new feature, as this already works if you’re still running the last version of the app.)
It’s especially interesting if it suggests that Apple is potentially developing the services necessary to eventually offer this to other apps. Maybe a small set of partner apps first, before general launch? Again, pure speculation.
It makes sense that Apple would eventually offer Siri compatibility to other apps, but the question was always how and when. Perhaps sooner, now, than later?
Update: Charles Joseph points out on Twitter that Find My Friends, another one of Apple’s App Store apps, already does this. He also shares this post by Guy English on the topic.
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