With iOS 10, Apple opened Siri to third-party developers with a public API, allowing the personal assistant to summon third-party services and apps hands-free.

Two of the first apps to make use of the new Siri SDK are WhatsApp Messenger and ride-hailing app Uber, both of which issued updates for their flagship apps this week.

uber-siri
Uber users can now hail a ride with a "Hey, Siri" command, followed by "Book me an Uber" or other variants. Apple has also allowed the ride-hailing service to be integrated into Apple Maps under a new Ride tab, where users can choose from a list of available drivers in the area. As pointed out by MacRumors readers, Lyft has also been updated to support both functions.

WhatsApp users meanwhile can now use Siri to dictate and send messages as well as initiate calls.

whatsapp-siri
WhatsApp also becomes one of the first third-party apps to make use of CallKit, Apple's new framework that enables VoIP calls to function in iOS 10 like FaceTime and regular cellular calls. VoIP service Viber also supports the feature.

After updating the app, incoming WhatsApp calls appear in the lock screen showing the caller's profile picture and the typical call response buttons. In addition, WhatsApp contacts are now integrated into the native Contacts app in iOS 10, and also appear in the Phone app's Favorites. The WhatsApp update includes a number of other enhancements, including the ability to forward multiple chats at once.

To enable Siri integration for the apps, users should go to Settings -> Siri -> App Support and toggle the relevant switches to the on position. Users should expect plenty more third-party Siri integrations to appear in the coming months.

WhatsApp Messenger is a free download for iPhone available on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Uber is a free download for iPhone and iPad available on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Lyft is a free download for iPhone and iPad available on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Viber is a free download for iPhone and iPad available on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Tags: Siri Guide, Uber, WhatsApp
Related Forum: iOS 10

Top Rated Comments

Harmonious Zen Avatar
Harmonious Zen
107 months ago
Siri is going to be useless until I can feel like I don't have to memorize a list of commands in order for her to understand me. This is a step in that direction but still probably not enough.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kkspire Avatar
Kkspire
107 months ago
Lyft always get shafted for some reason. This was available with them the day after iOS 10 was realized. I know because I used it.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
foxconn Avatar
foxconn
107 months ago
I hope that YouTube (google) start to cooperate with Siri app support, although I know that they have their own voice command embedded in their apps.
It would be very cool to ask Siri to show a specific video on YouTube.
"Hey Siri, can you ask google now to show me a YouTube video by..."
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mthomas184 Avatar
mthomas184
107 months ago
....even though Lyft released there's a day before Uber. But who's counting ;)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thisisnotmyname Avatar
thisisnotmyname
107 months ago
Actually Lyft did it first but what do I know
Not picking on your comment specifically but I've noticed several "Lyft did it first" type posts. We're four days past iOS 10 release, do we really need to split hairs over who made it through the app store approval process first? I realize Lyft is the underdog here to the 800 lb Uber gorilla but one day faster to app store isn't something I'd be using to differentiate. Perhaps posts would be better served talking about your happiness that Lyft is using Siri integration due to being a fan of the company, it's culture, it's pricing, etc... If you are a big Lyft fan (I'm guessing those who notice a one day difference in app release dates are) then here's a chance to talk about *why* you are so found of their service and I'd bet being a day earlier to Siri integration isn't in your top ten of reasons.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vmistery Avatar
vmistery
107 months ago
I'm sorry.... OH? Did you mean HO? Or is that a new shortening for something else?
Other half, thought it was a pretty common abbreviation?!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 With Apple's Own 5G Modem 'Confirmed' to Launch in March

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:12 pm PST by
Barclays analyst Tom O'Malley and his colleagues recently traveled to Asia to meet with various electronics manufacturers and suppliers. In a research note this week, outlining key takeaways from the trip, the analysts said they have "confirmed" that a fourth-generation iPhone SE with an Apple-designed 5G modem is slated to launch towards the end of the first quarter next year. In line with previo...
Read Full Article • 117 comments
airtag purple

AirTag 2 Rumored to Launch Next Year With These New Features

Sunday November 17, 2024 5:18 am PST by
Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so it is now three over and a half years old. While the AirTag has not received any hardware updates since then, a new version of the item tracking accessory is rumored to be in development. Below, we recap rumors about a second-generation AirTag. Timing Apple is aiming to release a new AirTag in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman....
Read Full Article • 99 comments
at t turbo indicator iphone 16 pro max v0 8hrh7w5f3w1e1

AT&T Turbo Indicator Showing Up in iPhone Status Bar for Subscribers

Wednesday November 20, 2024 3:42 am PST by
AT&T has begun displaying "Turbo" in the iPhone carrier label for customers subscribed to its premium network prioritization service, according to reports on Reddit. The new indicator seems to have started appearing after users updated to iOS 18.1.1, but that could be just coincidence. Image credit: Reddit user No_Highlight7476 The Turbo feature provides enhanced network performance through ...
Read Full Article • 93 comments
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

Apple Releases iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 With Security Fixes

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:10 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that debuted earlier in September. iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 come three weeks after the launch of iOS 18.1. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iOS 17.7.2 for...
Read Full Article • 28 comments
Magic Mouse Next to Keyboard

No, Apple CEO Tim Cook Didn't Say He Prefers Logitech's MX Master 3 Over the Magic Mouse

Sunday November 17, 2024 3:03 pm PST by
While the Logitech MX Master 3 is a terrific mouse for the Mac, reports claiming that Apple CEO Tim Cook prefers that mouse over the Magic Mouse are false. The Wall Street Journal last month published an interview with Cook, in which he said he uses every Apple product every day. Soon after, The Verge's Wes Davis attempted to replicate using every Apple product in a single day. During that...
Read Full Article • 330 comments
iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 1 Redux

'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Surpass iPhone 6 as Thinnest iPhone Ever

Monday November 18, 2024 1:07 pm PST by
In a research note with Hong Kong-based investment bank Haitong today, obtained by MacRumors, Apple analyst Jeff Pu said he agrees with a recent rumor claiming that the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" will be around 6mm thick. "We agreed with the recent chatter of an 6mm thickness ultra-slim design of the iPhone 17 Slim model," he wrote. If that measurement proves to be accurate, there would be ...
Read Full Article • 155 comments
bug security vulnerability issue fix larry

Make Sure to Update: iOS 18.1.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerabilities

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:52 am PST by
The iOS 18.1.1, iPadOS 18.1.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 updates that Apple released today address JavaScriptCore and WebKit vulnerabilities that Apple says have been actively exploited on some devices. With the JavaScriptCore vulnerability, processing maliciously crafted web content could lead to arbitrary code execution. The WebKit vulnerability had the same issue with maliciously crafted...
Read Full Article • 69 comments
apple card feature2

Apple Card 3% Daily Cash Back Now Available From Two More Apple Partners

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:36 am PST by
Apple has partnered with select merchants to offer Apple Card users three percent Daily Cash back on their purchases, and two new companies were added to the partner list today. When purchasing goods and services from Booking.com and ChargePoint, Apple Card users will now get more cash back. Booking.com is a site for reserving flights, cars, cruises, and hotels, while ChargePoint sells...
Read Full Article • 12 comments