Siri, Apple's virtual assistant, has made significant strides by introducing support for the Vietnamese language for the first time. On February 25, 2023, Apple released iOS 18.4 Public Beta, which allows Vietnamese users to interact with Siri using their native language. This marks a historic milestone for the tech giant, enhancing accessibility and usability for millions of Vietnamese speakers.
Following more than 14 years of existence without Vietnamese language support, Siri users can now issue commands such as making calls, sending messages, checking the weather, scheduling appointments, and searching for information—all using their mother tongue. The feature not only caters to everyday functions but also allows users to teach Siri to recognize the command “Hey Siri” entirely in Vietnamese.
One of the exciting aspects of this launch is the option for users to choose from four different Vietnamese accents, including those from Northern and Southern regions, personalizing the interaction. For users to get started with the new language settings, they need to download the iOS 18.4 Public Beta. To set up Siri for Vietnamese, they will have to access Settings > Siri or Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri. From there, they can select Language and switch to Vietnamese, then choose the preferred voice option.
It’s worth noting, though, as users navigate this new feature, Apple's artificial intelligence tools, known as Apple Intelligence, currently do not support Vietnamese. Apple has indicated plans to expand the capabilities of these AI tools to include Vietnamese by 2025. Until then, users may experience some limitations, as some functionality may not be available when using Siri’s Vietnamese version during the beta testing phase.
Apple has urged users to understand and embrace this beta stage, wherein they might encounter bugs or imperfect responses from Siri when processing commands made in Vietnamese. Users will need to perform five distinct commands to help Siri effectively understand their pronunciation and voice nuances, which will guide the assistant's responsiveness to future commands.
This launch is being received with optimism as it opens up enhanced digital interactions for Vietnamese users. It has been met with enthusiasm as many have waited long for Apple to provide support for their language, which makes devices much more accessible. The recent update not only reflects Apple's strategy of reaching out to diverse markets but also highlights the growing demand for inclusivity within technology.
Anticipation builds as Apple is expected to officially release the full version of iOS 18.4, complete with these features, sometime next month. According to reports, this version is said to improve overall performance and connectivity with Apple’s AI tools and could make introducing Vietnamese features smoother for users. By March 2025, the enhancements sought by many within the Vietnamese community may finally become reality.
The significance of this update cannot be understated as it not only enhances the usability of Siri for Vietnamese speakers but also enables them to access advanced voice technology head-on, making everyday tasks simpler and more effective. With the continued push for inclusivity and global reach, Apple's move to support Vietnamese is viewed as not just timely but necessary, paving the way for more innovations and developments to follow.
More details and instructions on how to access the beta version are readily available. Users eager to test the new feature should head to System Settings > Software Update, affirming the installation of the Public Beta. Because this update is quite large, it's recommended to use Wi-Fi for faster download speeds. The excitement surrounding Siri's Vietnamese support not only resonates with local users but also paints an encouraging picture for future tech developments across various languages.