A new patent application from Apple aims to create “a digital assistant that is capable of detecting a whispered speech input and providing a whispered speech response,” Gizmodo reports. While Siri is becoming more useful all the time, her replies are still always issued at the device’s regular volume, which isn’t the greatest when a user is hanging out at the library or in a crowded office where hushed tones are more the norm.
In an application that also cites “protecting the user’s privacy” as a reason for the advancement, Apple pitches the idea of helping Siri detect when a user is whispering and issue a reply in a whispered tone as well. The device would simply detect the input’s amplitude and frequency and adjust Siri’s response accordingly, so some day Siri might be able to tell us where the nearest bathroom is without alerting everyone else around.
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