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 By The drawing is signed, 'Electrical World, N.Y.' [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Anyone who knows me knows that I am a big fan of using Siri as a wonderful productivity tool, allowing me to dictate all sorts of instructions. It can save SO much typing and means I can be productive even when I am driving, using the hands-free Hey Siri feature.
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19/4/2018 0 Comments What a wonderful feature for those with vision impairment or reading difficulties I always find that there is a 'theme of the week' for client appointments, and this week's has related to vision impairment and dictation using the iPad, iPhone and Mac.
The iPad and iPhone (and Mac) have some amazing features for those with difficulty viewing and reading the content of the screen, and there is one in particular that will be of particular benefit to the clients I saw this week. It is the Speak Screen feature, where you can request that the content of the screen currently in view is read to you.  Sandy W asks: "I've lost the microphone to dictate texts on my iPhone. Can u help please?" Sandy had previously made frequent use of the dictation feature of the iPad and iPhone, to dictate emails, texts and even documents. This had saved her a LOT of typing. (Have you discovered this wonderful feature? We cover this and other great tops in the 'Typing and Editing on the iPad and iPhone' user guide, available in digital or printed format.) Sandy had found that the the keyboard microphone that she had previously always found on the left side of the Space bar was no longer present. Nothing she tried seemed to bring it back. Try these solutions ...There are a couple of places to check if your keyboard's microphone disappears.
If this doesn't solve your problem, it may be that your Restrictions are turned on, and that microphone is turned off in Restrictions.
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If it is still not working, it may be necessary to check another setting called Frequent Locations. Visit Settings > Privacy > Location Services > System Services > Frequent Locations and make sure this setting is also On (green). Let us know if you are still having problemsIf none of the above suggestions seem to help fix your problem with this feature, just let iTandCoffee know in the comments below.
We will then look into it further, to see if there is any other known issue with this feature.  Those of you who know me will know that I really love using Siri on my iPhone and iPad. Day in, day out, I use it to set reminders, sent texts, dictate notes, make phone calls, read my emails while I drive (hands free, of course), and so much more. This week, I found a Siri command that I have been needing for so long - one that can remind me later about something that I have received, seen, created, etc. What do I mean by this? Well, as an example, I so often get an email or a text that I can't action right at that point in time, but need to remember to action at a later time. I don't want to have to trawl through my long list of emails/texts to find it - if I actually do remember to do that! Flagging in the Mail app doesn't quite work - again, because this requires me to remember to go back and look at my 'flagged' emails. I had been using Evernote for emails that I needed to action later. I would forward my emails to my Evernote, and set a reminder there. An adequate solution, but I will now be using Siri instead because it is SO much easier. I now tell Siri to set a reminder (for a particular date/time) about whatever I am looking at on my iPhone (or iPad) screen. Siri will create that reminder WITH a link that allows me to go straight to that 'thing' (email, message, web page, calendar entry, note, etc), so that I have all the information I need in front of me. In the image I have shown in this article, tapping on the little Mail app symbol takes you straight to the applicable mail message. I am using this every day now and loving my reminders and the quick, easy access they give me to relevant information. Find out how to use this Siri feature in this week's Handy HintIf you are interested in finding out more about how to use this great Siri command that will help you to remember to come back to something important, check out this week's Handy Hint. You must be an iTandCoffee Club member to view this premium content. Joining our iTandCoffee Club costs a measly $30 a year, and gives you access to great tips like this, online class videos and slideshows, and other members-only offers. Your membership also helps fund iTandCoffee's fortnightly Handy Hint Newsletter for our subscribers and clients. Have you thought about joining? Hopefully today is the day! View more information and join here. Get even more great tips like this at this iTandCoffee ClassThe tip mentioned in this article is just one of a great set of incredibly handy tips that will be covered in the class series 'Bring your Busy Life Under Control using your iPad and iPhone' which runs in August and September at iTandCoffee in Glen Iris. This two-part class series will run on:
We love this class series - and we know that you will too. Join us soon!  24/3/2016 0 Comments My iPhone reads and sends emails and texts, sets reminders, calls the kids to dinner - all hands free! Save your voice! Get Siri to call the kids to dinner. If you have the newest of the iPhones or iPads, you will have a access to a great new feature that allows Siri to take and execute your commands without you even touching your device. This is great for when you are in the car and many other circumstances. The feature is 'Hey Siri' - where you can say these words to activate Siri, hands free. (On earlier older devices, the 'Hey Siri' feature is only available when the device is connected to a power source - for example, when it is charging in the car.) When I am driving between appointments or busily cooking in the kitchen (and, for those of you who know me, don't laugh at that mental image!), I can say 'Hey Siri, read my messages' - and Siri will read all the new texts and iMessages that I have received. To hear what emails I have received, I say 'Hey Siri, read my emails' or 'Hey Siri, read the emails from my husband'. I can say 'Hey Siri, set a reminder when I get home to take the meat out of the freezer'. It makes the time when I am on the road into productive time, and helps me to keep on top of a busy day. Siri can even save me from screeching at my kids! Here is one of my favourites ... When I want my family to come to dinner, I save going upstairs and downstairs to call them (or screaming DINNNNEEEERRR from somewhere in the middle) by saying 'Hey Siri, text my children dinner time'. They may not listen to me, but they DO read their texts! It's those small things that make for family harmony. But, sometimes Siri is 'listening' when I don't need 'her' Occasionally, Siri thinks 'she' hears me say 'Hey Siri' when I didn't really say it (or when I am describing the feature to someone else). She then interrupts my conversation to tell me that she couldn't understand me, or does something else I didn't intend. To stop Siri from 'listening' when 'she' is not required, all I have to do is put my iPhone (or iPad Pro) 'face down' - then I don't have this problem. Simple! Are you interested in finding out how Siri knows who my kids are? Are you curious to find out how Siri knows who my kids are? Check out 'Tell Siri about your relationships' handy hint, published way back in October 2015! (with the old logo still). Related handy hints (for iTandCoffee Club members only) and articles
 I have a friend called Sueanne, and Sueanne is someone who I call and text on a regular basis. However, Siri has never been able to understand me when I say 'Call Sueanne', translating this to 'Call Sue and' instead. This means that I am then asked with Sue I want to call - and Sueanne is not in the list that is provided. Normally, when Siri 'misunderstands' me, I get the chance to tap 'Edit' at the top right and correct 'her' translation of what I said. (By the way, if you would rather have a smooth-talking male Siri instead, check out this other Handy Hint about how to change Siri's voice.) Today, I finally took the time to sort out this Siri annoyance. It involved setting up some additional information in Sueanne's Contact record. Find out how in this Handy Hint for iTandCoffee Club members. (Sign in here first, if you are not already signed in.) Not yet a member of The iTandCoffee Club? Why not join today, for access to iTandCoffee's vast library of Handy Hints, special members-only information sessions and other special offers advertised from time to time. Related Articles and Handy Hints
 My daughter was using Siri over the weekend, and the friend who was with us at the time was surprised to find out that Siri can have a male voice instead of female.
This is so easy to change if you prefer a male voice. You can even choose 'British Male' if you prefer that to an 'Aussie' voice. Find out how in this Handy Hint for iTandCoffee Club members. (Sign in here first, if you are not already signed in.) Not yet a member of The iTandCoffee Club? Why not join today, for access to iTandCoffee's vast library of Handy Hints, special members-only information sessions and other special offers advertised from time to time.  While with a client this week, I was showing the various things that Siri can do for you, and the sort of questions that Siri can answer in a flash.
Here are a couple that I thought I'd share with you - questions I hadn't thought to ask previously, but that will come in useful in future. For when you are wanting to call someone overseas but need first to check their local time:
For when you are about to travel to somewhere, and wondering what the weather outlook is at your destination.
This is so much quicker than going into the Clock app and looking for the required city, or visiting the Weather app for the forecast. Not sure how to use Siri? Check out the below handy hints and articles about Siri to find out more. Related Handy Hints (for iTandCoffee Club members only - join the club!)
Related Blog Articles (free for all readers)  Have you found your very own Personal Assistant on your iPhone or iPad? If not, I highly recommend that you do so soon.
Introducing yourself to Siri really can your make life so much easier, saving you lots of typing and tapping. Siri can remind you, guide you, notify you and provide all sorts of information. I would be lost without 'her'. Don't be afraid to try to get to know 'her' (or 'him'!). Find out here how easy it can be to get Siri working for you >> |
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