If you use the new Siri AI correctly, you might cut down how much you’re on your phone. CNET’s Bridget Carey explains how to set up your iPhone to get the most out of the new Siri, and how it’s saved her sanity as a working parent.
You can find the products mentioned in this video linked below
Apple iPhone 17 Pro, US Version, 256GB
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, US Version, 512GB
*CNET may get a commission on these offers
Read more about the new Siri AI on CNET.com: The New Siri AI Leaves Old Siri in the Dust on Apple Watch
Host: Bridget Carey
Videographer and Editor: Carly Marsh
0:00 Get ready for the new Siri
1:46 Set your side button to trigger Siri
2:07 Unlock settings
2:18 Unlock iPhone with Apple Watch
2:37 Siri sees your Apple Calendar app
3:32 Talking to Siri: “What meetings do I have today?”
3:48 Using Siri to find information in your messages
4:48 Using Siri to find information in iMessage
5:11 Send your emails to the iPhone Mail app
6:46 Using Siri with Apple Maps
Add CNET as a trusted news source
Never miss a deal again! See CNET’s browser extension 👉
Check out CNET’s Amazon Storefront:
Subscribe to CNET on YouTube:
Follow us on TikTok:
Follow us on Instagram:
Follow us on Bluesky:
Like us on Facebook:
CNET’s AI Atlas:
Follow us on X:
Visit CNET.com:
#siri #apple #appleintelligence #ai #artificialintelligence
@shunae86
August 7, 2026 at 3:10 pm
You look like Alyson Hannigan
@jediknight108
August 7, 2026 at 3:13 pm
Radha Krishna – cool
@raffaelreviews6104
August 7, 2026 at 3:15 pm
I like waze for navigation
@Eric-x4w4v
August 7, 2026 at 3:17 pm
Should be noted that yes, you have to have your calandars and email syncing to apple apps. But that doesnt mean you actually have to use the app. You can sync gmail to the apple mail app and just move it off your homescreen; and still use the gmail app everyday to get the best of both worlds.
@Stepped-In-Pixels
August 7, 2026 at 3:34 pm
I agree that Apple Maps has the best UI and clearest navigation instructions, and I’ve been faithfully promoting it … (6:48) but… as of yesterday that ended. In my country, it has the worst traffic notifications. I was just on a roadtrip and I observed how we ran into traffic several times and there was no indication on the map. Sometimes it would turn yellow only after we had been crawling for a minute. Sometimes it never changed yellow at all. I installed Waze, and not only did it tell me in advance when there was traffic, it knew exactly which lanes were closed in construction zones.
@parkds
August 7, 2026 at 3:49 pm
As someone who has found Siri up to this point to be absolute garbage, I have been so impressed by the new Siri. It has made information retrieval, which has always been the worst on iOS, so easy. Whether it is finding a work estimate I received several years ago or asking about the date of a birthday from a photo I took of poster in my daughter’s classroom that was sometime in the past 4 years, it has effortlessly found the info and presented the email or photo it was referencing. Combined with the ability to do all of this via carplay, Siri finds a new way to impress me every week. For me, my expectations have been exceeded and I look forward to apps like WhatsApp being able to hook into the new Siri.
@sixmileswest
August 7, 2026 at 4:08 pm
AI wrote this script.
@edge0fsanity
August 7, 2026 at 4:38 pm
@CNET This video is unfortunately clueless about the new Siri functions and abilities. About 90% of what is shown is either incorrect, uninformed, and/or adding steps in that are not needed. It’s misinformation.
1) Whyyyyy would you program the Action Button/Side Button for Siri when it’s already setup to load by holding the Power Button on the other side?? Does she seriously not know about it? How is she a Tech Editor?
2) The ability to add 3rd Party Apps right into Siri is shown in Settings under [Siri] -> [App Access]. It will add the data for that App into it’s On-Device cataloging. This makes 80% of what she is saying here useless. You want to use Google Calendar? No problem. Want to use Whatsapp or other messaging services? One quick click and it’ll work. No adding to the Notes app is needed.
This honestly should be taken down.
@marywow9659
August 7, 2026 at 5:14 pm
Ok.. I am confused.. this is not new. None of it is.. yet this was made 9h ago? Is CNET Just that far behind? Not being funny. This is not new
@CNET
August 7, 2026 at 5:29 pm
Read more about the new Siri AI on CNET.com: The New Siri AI Leaves Old Siri in the Dust on Apple Watch
@vn9528
August 7, 2026 at 5:36 pm
Too late
@Alex-yt2ec
August 7, 2026 at 5:55 pm
Say thanks to Google…
@damnhockey
August 7, 2026 at 6:22 pm
Bridget, your wonderful, all of your information is so valuable and your presentation is the best. Personality and style. Thanks
@Royce16727
August 7, 2026 at 6:23 pm
Apple, if you’re monitoring this channel, please add in third-party at Support as soon as possible. Oh, and also release a new HomePod with Siri AI and I promise that I will continue buying your new phones and smart speakers until the day I die!
@DanEntin
August 7, 2026 at 6:36 pm
Yeah, no. Not willing to commit to all of these Apple apps. Apple is for hardware, Google is for software.
@IzzyTheGent
August 7, 2026 at 6:40 pm
One thing I haven’t heard anybody say in their reviews so far is whether or not Siri AI understands what you’re saying the first time.
@MitchJT
August 7, 2026 at 7:06 pm
F Siri. It is the most frustratingly useless part of my phone and has been for so many years that I refuse to give it the time of day.
@JSmith-nu4bl
August 7, 2026 at 7:12 pm
Anti ice karen is back
@Spiderjin
August 7, 2026 at 7:30 pm
the calendar mail and imessage setup tips track if siri needs to see your life, tbh if youre in the eu check first: apple said siri ai on iphone starts delayed there, not just “wait for 27”
@PtBm2975
August 7, 2026 at 7:35 pm
Great video, but why assign the action button to Siri when the button on the right side already calls up Siri?
@BrianBellia
August 7, 2026 at 8:27 pm
Or you can just say Siri or hey, Siri.
@cristianguaman6163
August 7, 2026 at 7:48 pm
Well, Siri improves after so long, although you sacrifice privacy, just like with Gemini.
@andrewbell5875
August 7, 2026 at 8:13 pm
After Siri not serving me the correct music (Wrong artist, wrong song or just ignoring me😂) or telling me it cant do that search because of some reason, The best feature is the little green switch going to grey 👍. Now I have a problem with typing, spelling and assumed texting prompts 😂. You know what I’m talking about.
@NingDaLord
August 7, 2026 at 8:20 pm
Thank you Google!
@ArmandoRamirez-ee4nq
August 7, 2026 at 8:52 pm
I created a shared shopping list and if I ask my Apple Watch to add something to my shopping list, it adds it easily to the Shopping list on my phone. It’s an older model 8 and I’m using the Developer Beta on my 16 ProMax. If I ask my phone to add something to the shopping list, it tells me there is no shopping list and would I like to create one. To it’s credit, when I ask Siri why it can’t add it to the shopping list in reminders, it sheepishly adds it to my ToDo list, close but still annoying since the shopping list automatically puts the items in the right section of the store and I can get all the produce on my list without having to look for everything in different places. This used to work in iOS 26. It does the same thing if I ask Siri to add something to the shopping list in CarPlay. Some of the new functionality is great, but it shouldn’t break things I’ve been using for years.
@CannedFunkMusic
August 7, 2026 at 9:16 pm
The lock button already doubles as a Siri button.