Apple Describes What It Would Be Like To Use Siri On Your Mac

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USPTO.gov

Here's what Siri may look like on your Mac

Have you ever wanted to ask your Mac a question? In the future, you may be able to speak aloud to Siri through your Mac if a new Apple patent application ever comes to fruition.

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The patent, which was first spotted by Apple Insider, describes how a desktop version of Siri would work.

For instance, you could summon Siri by performing a specific gesture, which would involve holding a key, clicking on something within the OS X interface, or forming a pattern on the tocuchpad. (Mac users can already use the dictate feature in OS X 10.8 or later by tapping the function key "fn" twice, but you can also customize that particular shortcut.)

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According to the patent, once you activate Siri, the virtual assistant would be smart enough to know whether you're asking a question or dictating speech to be translated to text form (Nuance's latest version of Dragon can do this). When you issue a command, Siri would be able to put your instructions in context based on what you're doing.

But perhaps the most interesting feature mentioned is the idea that Siri could act as a "third hand" for Mac users. In other words, she'll be able to help you complete a task when you ask for her help. From the patent's language, this sounds like you can assign Siri a task to work on in the background while you finish up your work.

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Of course, this doesn't provide clear evidence that Siri will come to the Mac environment. Apple files new patent applications all the time - many of which never turn up in the company's products. Still, it's interesting to imagine how Siri would translate to the desktop if Apple ever chooses to do so.