https://macexpertguide.com/how-to-use-siri-shortcuts-in-the-new-ios-14/
You probably know how frustrating it’s to do tasks on multiple apps and keep repeating that process over and over again. It will be fine if you organize everything well enough. However, in most cases, it’s just time-consuming and a bit annoying. So, if you have to do something more than twice, why not automate it? And, that is what Siri shortcuts or the Shortcuts app are made for. This app will help you do all the grunt work that you don’t want to do in a more effective way.
Siri Shortcuts is one of the biggest and the most awesome updates in iOS 14. But, it barely gets attention at the keynote. Read on to know more about Siri shortcuts and how to use it.
The app was first introduced in 2018 and Apple has been steadily improving it ever since. Shortcuts provide a quick way to get things done with your apps with a simple tap or by asking Siri. It can automate a wide variety of things. For instance, Siri shortcuts can get directions to the next events on your Calendar, move text from one app to another, or help Siri work like a real AI.
Siri Shortcuts received many refinements in the latest update. One of the major improvements is that you can have a shortcut running on any type of schedule. As long as it doesn’t require interaction, shortcuts can still work in the background.
Also, Apple added new triggers for email and iMessages in this update. So, now you can set up a “special” notification to make sure you respond to important messages or calls immediately. Imagine things like your iPhone will have flashing light notification when you receive a message from a specific person, or it will turn on a voice alarm for business email.
On top of that, with the new widgets, you can basically do everything you want from your home screen now. And, Siri shortcuts pleasantly are part of it, meaning you can access every shortcut you want from the home screen. This feature is a game changer because you still have to open shortcuts in the traditional way without widgets. Plus, you can stack the shortcuts behind another widget and switch between them. So, in many ways running shortcuts is a lot smoother and easier now.
With the new update, Shortcuts now run as a standalone app on your Apple watch. Therefore, if you have a cellular watch and you left your phone at home, then it stays connected to your phone and works as usual. Also, there are new ways where you can use watch app actions to control the Apple watch itself from your iPhone. So, it’s a little bit of reverse where you you now can change your watch face using shortcuts. For example, you can set your watch face to automatically change depending on the time of day. Combine it with the time-based automation and you can have it update in the morning, at night, or based on other triggers.