[codetrotter]

On iOS the “problem” for a third-party app is that there is no mechanic by which it could always listen to your mic, and trigger actions based on keywords.

Only Siri would be able to do that on iOS.

Therefore, no third party can “become the platform” on iOS for voice assistants.

But who knows. Maybe EU will force Apple to open up for that at some point, like they forced Apple to open up for third party App Stores on iOS in EU.

[Kwpolska]

If the product was truly revolutionary, users wouldn't mind opening an app to talk to it.

[throwaway3306a]

The whole point of the product is not having to open apps...

[rpcope1]

Oh good, now everyone can spy on me, not just Apple.

[aetch]

iOS apps can record audio in the background with the provided API already so this isn’t actually a hold up

[danudey]

You can continue to record audio in the background, but you can't use the API to just listen all the time, like "hey siri" does, and then open the app and act on it.