Janmike34 posted a nicely produced concept video for how Nuance's voice recognition could be integrated into iOS 5. In essence, text fields can become speech recognition fields by tapping and holding on text fields. This functionality can be offered to 3rd party applications as well using the standard iOS text field.

While a nicely produced video, it's not more impressive than what Google's Android has, nor is it even more impressive than the technology we've known Apple has acquired:


Apple acquired Siri in April 2010. Steve Jobs has said that Siri's acquisition was for their artificial intelligence technology. Nuance is the company that powered Siri's speech recognition, so it's no surprise that Apple is negotiating with Nuance for use of their technology in iOS 5.

[via Reddit]

Top Rated Comments

janmike34 Avatar
189 months ago
Yeah I like the vid. However what would make the interface much better, and the reason for it happening, would be for complete control and hands-free ability - having to tap something on the screen defeats the purpose, for instance if you're driving or cooking or in the bathroom or something and you can't/don't want to touch the phone, you should be able to control it completely by voice (like the Knowledge Navigator, or current and actually in use Kinect where you simply say "Xbox ..." followed by the command). If your hands are dirty while cooking and you don't want olive oil or flower do get on/in your iOS device, and you need more information you could say "iPad, next page" or "iPad, what is the next step in the cooking process" or if you get a text you can say "iPhone, read text" and then "iPhone ignore" or "iPhone reply with: ..." and then say the message you want the iPhone to type and send to them while you're still stirring or transferring or coating your food.

I thought about doing so with my current video, but decided not to develop it that way for a few reasons.

My concept originally began with how Mac OS X's speech recognition can function — you can tell the OS to constantly listen using the microphone for a keyword or phrase. Upon hearing that, the OS would then act accordingly to the command stated after the keyword.

The reason why I didn't do this is because of 1) battery life? 2) privacy concerns. I'm sure if I posted a video of such, many of the comments would discuss how the iPhone is always listening...wherever you go. A computer is stationary, but everyone carries their phone everywhere. And with that, the phone is always listening. 3) Many people might have their default keyword be "iPhone". How many people have iPhone's now? I say the word iPhone on my university's bus, and everyone's phone would then ring that familiar sound.

Of course, I have gotten this kind of feedback a lot (re: much more developed speech recognition that should listen in and act accordingly). In the next few days, look out for another video by me that demonstrates such. :)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DocNYz Avatar
189 months ago
Yeah I like the vid. However what would make the interface much better, and the reason for it happening, would be for complete control and hands-free ability - having to tap something on the screen defeats the purpose, for instance if you're driving or cooking or in the bathroom or something and you can't/don't want to touch the phone, you should be able to control it completely by voice (like the Knowledge Navigator, or current and actually in use Kinect where you simply say "Xbox ..." followed by the command). If your hands are dirty while cooking and you don't want olive oil or flower do get on/in your iOS device, and you need more information you could say "iPad, next page" or "iPad, what is the next step in the cooking process" or if you get a text you can say "iPhone, read text" and then "iPhone ignore" or "iPhone reply with: ..." and then say the message you want the iPhone to type and send to them while you're still stirring or transferring or coating your food.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iStudentUK Avatar
189 months ago
This would be great!

But as others have said you need a better way to activate voice control. My mobile 10 years ago would listen for a key phrase and then activate voice dialling, that would be great.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
janmike34 Avatar
189 months ago
Heyyyyy I'm famous!

Don't forget to check out my other concept videos on my YouTube channel. More coming soon!

Got an idea? Shoot me a message on YouTube!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Illusion986 Avatar
189 months ago
One of the reasons i don't use voice commands on my iPhone is because holding the home button takes too long, which makes the whole process inconvenient.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kjs862 Avatar
189 months ago
Lik the long press to prompt the system.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Tim Cook WWDC 2018

Report: Tim Cook to Step Down as Apple CEO 'as Soon as Next Year'

Saturday November 15, 2025 2:40 pm PST by
Apple is preparing for Tim Cook to step down as CEO of the company "as soon as next year," according to the Financial Times. The company's board of directors and senior executives "recently intensified preparations for Cook to hand over the reins," the report said. While the report said that Apple is unlikely to name a new CEO before its next earnings report in late January, it went on to ...
iOS 26

Everything New in iOS 26.2 Beta 3

Monday November 17, 2025 3:20 pm PST by
Apple provided developers with the third beta of an upcoming iOS 26.2 update, and there are still new features that are being added with each beta that we get. We've rounded up all of the changes that Apple made in beta 3. AirDrop Apple added new AirDrop functionality, providing a way for two people to share files temporarily without having to add one another as contacts. iOS 26.2...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4

Thursday November 13, 2025 11:35 am PST by
Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3, the AirPods 4, and the prior-generation AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods Pro 3 firmware is 8B25, while the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 firmware is 8B21, all up from the prior 8A358 firmware released in October. There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 with ANC, and AirPods Pro 3...
best early black friday deals

Best Black Friday Apple Deals Live Now - Save on AirPods, iPads, and Apple Watches

Saturday November 15, 2025 1:45 pm PST by
We're officially in the month of Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When ...
Apple Wallet ID Illinois

iPhone Driver's License Feature Launching in Illinois

Tuesday November 18, 2025 8:47 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Starting this Wednesday, November 19, the feature will be available to residents of Illinois. The announcement confirmed that the...
applecare apple care banner

Apple Brings New AppleCare+ Options to India

Tuesday November 18, 2025 8:42 am PST by
Apple today announced an expansion of AppleCare+ coverage in India, with new options for monthly and annual plans, and the addition of Theft and Loss for iPhone for the first time. Options for monthly and annual AppleCare+ plans in India provide more choice and flexibility, allowing users to keep coverage for as long as they require. Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket Now Available to Order, But Already Selling Out

Friday November 14, 2025 6:20 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. iPhone Pocket is available to order on Apple's online store starting today, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. However, it is already completely sold out in the United...
apple silicon mac lineup 2024 feature purple m5

Apple's 2026 Mac Plans

Friday November 14, 2025 3:23 pm PST by
Most of Apple's Macs are slated to get M5 chips across 2026, and there's a possibility we'll even see the first M6 chips toward the end of the year. Updates are planned for everything from the MacBook Air to the Mac Studio. MacBook Air (Early 2026) The MacBook Air will be one of the first Macs to get a 2026 refresh, with an update planned for the first few months of the year. The MacBook...
CarPlay Liquid Glass Dark

Here's When Tesla is Expected to Add Support for Apple CarPlay

Sunday November 16, 2025 6:49 am PST by
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that Tesla plans to add Apple CarPlay support to its vehicles "in the coming months." This is easily the biggest news for the regular version of CarPlay in years, should Tesla actually follow through with offering the system in its vehicles. As noted by Gurman, this would be a stunning reversal for Tesla and its CEO Elon ...
tvOS 26 Profiles

tvOS 26.2 Adds a Useful New Feature to Your Apple TV

Friday November 14, 2025 10:02 am PST by
Starting with the upcoming tvOS 26.2 update, currently in beta, additional profiles created on the Apple TV no longer require their own Apple Account. In the Settings app on the Apple TV, under Profiles and Accounts, anyone can create a new profile by simply entering a name and indicating whether the profile is for a kid. The profile will be associated with the primary user's Apple Account,...