Apple's renowned virtual assistant, Siri, has finally made strides to accommodate Vietnamese users, marking its support for the language after 14 years since its initial global launch. The recent roll-out of iOS 18.4 beta 1 now allows users to interact with Siri using Vietnamese, significantly enhancing accessibility for those who speak the language.
This affirmative change was unveiled alongside the beta version of iOS 18.4, which users can download now, with the official release expected to occur later this March. The introduction of Vietnamese support within Siri is significant, considering the fact users have been waiting since the assistant’s debut back in 2011 to have their native language recognized.
To experience Siri speaking Vietnamese, users will need to register for the beta testing program. This involves accessing settings on their compatible iPhone devices and opting for the beta version, ensuring they can utilize this feature as soon as possible. The company has made the activation relatively straightforward: users simply need to navigate to Settings, select Apple Intelligence & Siri, and adjust the language settings to Vietnamese.
The functionality of Siri has evolved substantially over the years, supporting multiple languages. Now, with the addition of Vietnamese, Siri allows users to execute commands ranging from making calls, sending messages, to checking the weather, all without needing to interact with their devices directly. Such user-friendly capabilities align with the growing preference for smart home technologies, where communication through voice control has become increasingly popular.
Vietnamese users can choose from four different voice options, featuring tones from both Northern and Southern regions, empowering them to personalize their interactions with Siri even more. Activation is still initiated with the familiar phrase, "Hey, Siri," which many users have come to adopt as part of their everyday routines.
Feedback from the Vietnamese community has been overwhelmingly positive. Thái Hưng, the administrator of a popular smartphone group, expressed excitement about the new feature, stating, "Siri có tiếng Việt là tin không thể vui hơn với cộng đồng người dùng smart home tại Việt Nam." He added, "Bên cạnh Google Home, nền tảng HomeKit của Apple được dùng phổ biến tại Việt Nam nên việc hỗ trợ tiếng Việt sẽ giúp ích cho nhiều người, cũng như thịnh hành hơn nữa trong tương lai.”
It’s worth noting, though, users will not yet have access to Apple Intelligence features when using Siri in Vietnamese, as full support for this AI-driven functionality is planned for 2025. Meanwhile, those wishing to experience Siri's capabilities as they are implemented will have to make do with the beta’s inherent bugs and glitches since it is still under testing.
For users eager to be among the first to use Siri with Vietnamese commands, they are encouraged to back up their data and use secondary devices when testing the beta software. While the excitement is palpable, the potential for minor disruptions serves as a gentle reminder of the still-developing nature of the software updates.
Despite the hiccups of the beta experience, this development significantly enhances the accessibility and functionality of iPhones for the Vietnamese-speaking population. It also reinforces Apple’s commitment to diversifying its services to accommodate global users.
Overall, the launch of Siri’s Vietnamese support signals not just technological advancement, but also cultural inclusivity, strengthening the bond between technology and local communities. For Apple, it is both a step forward and proof of their commitment to making technology work for everyone, regardless of language.