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How does voice control on my MacBook actually work?

I'm pretty new with Apple products. Is there anyway to get the voice control to actually do what you tells it to do? Or how is it supposed to be used? Does anyone have any hints or examples on things that the voice control actually does when told to?


For example, I would expect: "Show me the weather forecast for tomorrow." would give me some examples from web pages or so. But instead it opens a bit of music, or tries to call someone from my contacts, etc.


How should the questions be phrased?


[Re-Titled By Moderator]

MacBook Air 15″, macOS 15.0

Posted on Oct 30, 2024 3:29 PM

Reply
1 reply

Oct 31, 2024 9:06 PM in response to tolkjen

Re: Voice Control on Mac:


Re: Is there anyway to get the voice control to actually do what you tells it to do?


You may want to view how to: Get started with Voice Control on Mac - Apple Support

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Re: how is it supposed to be used?


Apple support's online article: Use Voice Control commands to interact with your Mac - Apple Support

says:

"You can speak commands to navigate the desktop and apps, interact with what’s on the screen, dictate and edit text, and more". Many "how to" details are in the above article.

and /or

Apple provides a "YouTube" video showing how to use Voice Control:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg22JaZWAgs


More Voice Control info: See: Use a custom vocabulary with Voice Control on Mac - Apple Support

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Re: "I would expect: "Show me the weather forecast for tomorrow." would give me some examples from web pages or so.


Apart from Voice Control: Apple provides.direct access to "Siri" to answer general questions like weather, once activated (by voice or button press), Siri replies with a spoken voice response or with text examples (sometimes both) depending on your settings.


See how to: Use Siri on Mac - Apple Support.

Eg says:

Turn on Siri

  1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Settings, then click Siri in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
  2. Turn on Siri if it’s not already on, then click Enable.

If you try to activate Siri when the option isn’t selected, you’re prompted to enable Siri.

You must be connected to the internet to use Siri.


You can choose: Siri settings on Mac - Apple Support

Eg above article says:

Select a preferred voice for Siri from the Voice Variety options and the Siri Voice options.

Some languages may only have one option.


Siri Settings can. be customized using your choices.

Customize Siri on Mac - Apple Support

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Re: How should the questions be phrased?


To begin with: say: "Hey Siri, (or just "Siri") what is the weather forecast for [your city, country]

or, if you wish, you can press a button to activate Siri, and type your request quietly.


More "Siri" info: How to use Siri on your Mac - Apple Support


All the best :-)

How does voice control on my MacBook actually work?

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