Neil Hughes
Apple's new iPhone 6s utilizes its M9 coprocessor for "Hey Siri" input, allowing it to always listen for voice commands. Well, almost always.
In years past, Apple's motion coprocessor has been used to silently and constantly track steps and activity. But starting with this year's A9 CPU in the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, the M9 component also listens for voice.
With earlier iOS devices, "Hey Siri" requires an iPhone or an iPad connected to external power to prevent draining battery life. But the M9 enables the iPhone 6s to always listen for "Hey Siri" commands — Â except when it doesn't.
Though it's not noted in any of Apple's promotional materials, "Hey Siri" does not work on the iPhone 6s when it's laying face down, or is inside a user's pocket.
Presumably, the iPhone 6s proximity sensor, located near the earpiece above the Retina display, is also constantly utilized to change when the device is available for "Hey Siri."
Starting with iOS 9, Apple also utilizes the proximity sensor on all iPhone models to prevent the display from turning on when the handset is lying face-down or within a pocket. Displays are typically the most power-hungry component on an iPhone, and keeping the screen dark when a user cannot see it is a practical way to extend battery life.
Similarly, it's unlikely that a user will want to invoke "Hey Siri" when their iPhone is in their pocket, where the device's microphone and speaker could be obstructed.
Users who want constant access to "Hey Siri" with their iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus should perhaps get into the habit of laying their handset on a table face-up.
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38 Comments
When I played the first new Apple Watch ad on my iPhone 6s+ running 9.1, the actor said, "Hey Siri!" and my Siri on my phone responded! Cute.
This actually bothers me because I keep my phone covered on my bedside table and I can no longer ask Siri what time it is when I wake up on a day with no alarm set. First world problems, I know, but I wish when it was plugged in that it would ignore this since it's obviously not in a pocket.
One thing Apple has done in iOS 9, which I really do not like is the absence of a tone or some kind of more obvious feedback indicating Siri is ready for a query. It used to be the equivalent of "How may I be of assistance" or "I'm ready".
[quote name="SpamSandwich" url="/t/189685/iphone-6s-stops-listening-for-hey-siri-when-its-in-your-pocket-or-face-down-on-a-table#post_2794644"]One thing Apple has done in iOS 9, which I really do not like is the absence of a tone or some kind of more obvious feedback indicating Siri is ready for a query. It used to be the equivalent of "How may I be of assistance" or "I'm ready".[/quote] The annoying thing is that it's not even a complete absence - you still get the little double ding prompt when you use Hey Siri! but now get nothing when you start Siri by pressing and holding the home button which means you have to look at the screen to make sure she is ready to respond. If it is on for one way I see no reason why it should't be on for both
I assume if the iPhone is in your pocket you can continue to use your Apple Watch to say "Hey Siri". Right?
Can you invoke Siri through BT or wired microphone?