Time Management 191 - There Tips

Hello everyone, this is Helen Huang @ Organizing, based in Beijing, China. In order to better learn and practice the YiXiaoNeng Time Management System, after finished publishing 100 Chinese articles, I decided to continue writing and publishing a daily English article in another 100 days based on the "YeWuBin Time Management 100 Episodes" audio program. Today is the 191st day.

Today's topic is: Three Tips to Master iPhone Voice Commands

Today, I will introduce Siri - the voice control function for the iPhone. Of course, if your device is with Android or a different mobile operating system, you can skip this chapter. I will introduce the following three parts: syntax, setup and key tips.

Siri is one of the functions I often use to control my phone. For example, if I want to know the weather, I will ask: "What will the weather be like in Chongqing tomorrow?" or "How is the weather in Beijing tomorrow？" In this way, I can determine the weather forecast in other cities without opening the iPhone and using other APPs. It's quick and efficient and it saves time.

There are a lot of other tips and tricks similar to that which I will show with you. Before we get into that, let me introduce syntax tips. When I say syntax I'm talking about which specific voice commands Siri recognizes. If I say "Take me home", the system will open the navigation function automatically.

How did I get this syntax? Many people may think that Siri can do anything for you if you issue an order. But of course, that's not true. You do need to say the correct thing.

Which syntax is easier for Siri to recognize? How would you learn this? Well, I'm glad you asked. I'm going to tell you right now. Click the "gear"shape icon on your phone, which is the "setup" button, and then click "utility", then find the Siri section. Make sure Siri is turned on.

Next, I suggest you complete the "My information" section. For example, my name is Ye Wubin, and I will fill in my phone number, home address, and office address. Next, I will set contacts whom I frequently communicate with. In this way, Siri knows frequent locations and contacts I interact with without me telling it each time.

And if you want to issue an order, you have to hold down the Home key and say a simple sentence. Siri will answer your questions, for example, you can say "What's the weather like today?" Click the"Question mark"in the lower left corner, and it will explain the specific word or command that you should say to reference each app including the phone to make a call, the SMS app to send text messages, the calendar app, the reminders app, stocks, weather and so on and so so. I suggest you look through all of them and become familiar with the syntax that I identified in the app.

And then will be able to master the syntax or phrases for the apps you most often use. For example, I can use the following sentences: "Take me home. What will the weather be like in Beijing tomorrow? How are my stocks today? Tell Jack I will arrive in one hour."

Now let me share with you three key skills you should master:

First, for some commands, Siri will look up information online so it's better to be connected online. The connection does not need to be perfect.

Second, make sure you pause briefly after issuing your command so Siri understands when to start interpreting your full command. For example, after saying "call home", you have to stop talking before Siri will attempt to translate your command. If its execution is wrong, you can click the sentence "call home" shown on the phone and correct it. You can make Siri smarter by teaching it in this way.

Third, you have to use Siri in a quiet environment. If you are in a very noisy environment, you have to putthe phone close to your mouth, or use headphones.

I hope this introduction to Siri - the voice control function of iPhone – has been helpful.

Thank you being with me together today. Have a wonderful day!