--- source_url: "https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/apples-new-siri-ai-brings-customization-other-voice-assistants-badly-need/" title: "Apple's New Siri AI Has Customization That Other Voice Assistants Need (Badly) - CNET" mirrored_at: 2026-08-27T01:32:23.630Z host: www.cnet.com cited_in_42a: true mirror_canonical: "https://index.42a.ai/www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/apples-new-siri-ai-brings-customization-other-voice-assistants-badly-need/index" --- > **Original source:** https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/apples-new-siri-ai-brings-customization-other-voice-assistants-badly-need/ ![A living room with Siri chats and analysis shown.](https://www.cnet.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/siri-ai-room-and-chats_d36b05.jpg?resize=1200,675) Out of the many tricks Apple showed for its new Siri, the voice customization options were my favorites. Apple At [Apple's 2026 WWDC event,](https://www.cnet.com/wwdc-2026/) the news was dominated by [Apple Intelligence](https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/tim-cook-live-speech-kicks-off-outgoing-ceos-last-wwdc-event/) and the newly branded Siri AI (mentioned over 100 times by our count), which added additional capabilities, some powered [by a partnership with Google Gemini](https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/apple-intelligence-models-wwdc-2026/). Siri remains one of the top three voice assistants, alongside [Amazon Alexa](https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/ultimate-alexa-command-list-200-voice-commands-for-echos-and-smart-homes/) and [Google Gemini/Gemini for Home](https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/best-google-smart-home-devices/) (RIP, [Google Assistant](https://www.cnet.com/home/security/i-tested-gemini-for-homes-ai-features-on-nests-newest-cam-heres-what-i-thought/)).  Apple showed off a litany of [advanced Siri capabilities](https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/siri-ai-wwdc-2026/), including making an event menu, analyzing photos, [describing videos](https://www.cnet.com/home/security/apples-new-home-ai-brings-video-descriptions-for-your-home-security/) and offering advice based on chat conversations. But one thing caught my attention: The ability to change how Siri sounds and how fast it talks.  I’ve tested the [AI advances of Alexa Plus](https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/this-smart-display-is-the-best-add-on-my-kitchen-has-ever-had/) and Gemini for Home for over a year now. Alexa, in particular, has had notable upgrades, including its conversational AI and various personalities you can choose from, though it can get a little _too_ chatty at times. But Apple’s changes to Siri take things a step further, and I’m glad to see it.  Siri users will be able to not only switch between voices but also adjust two metrics called Pace and Expressivity to change [how Siri behaves](https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/apple-introduces-siri-mode-in-your-iphones-camera/). Expressivity seems to give Siri a more upbeat inflection, or a more robotic tone if you adjust it down. Pace is an especially interesting option for speeding up or slowing down Siri’s speech. ![An iPhone showing Siri's new customization options.](https://www.cnet.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/siri-ai-voice-customization_e53ff0.jpg?resize=768,432) Apple’s letting users customize how Siri talks, and it’s a feature all voice assistants should have. Apple/Screenshot by CNET Speeding up the voice assistant can save tons of time and fix an issue that often puts people off the voice command experience, while slowing it down is very important for accessibility. Users may also want to take extra time when Siri is giving directions or instructions, and will now be able to adjust its responses depending on what they’re doing. Other voice assistants don’t offer this. Some people have reported that Gemini can increase its voice speed when requested, [but it doesn’t seem reliable](https://www.reddit.com/r/GoogleGeminiAI/comments/1ejxlas/change_texttovoice_speed/#link=%7B%22role%22:%22standard%22,%22href%22:%22https://www.reddit.com/r/GoogleGeminiAI/comments/1ejxlas/change_texttovoice_speed/%22,%22target%22:%22_blank%22,%22absolute%22:%22%22,%22linkText%22:%22but%20it%20doesn%27t%20seem%20to%20be%20reliable%22%7D)[,](https://www.reddit.com/r/GoogleGeminiAI/comments/1ejxlas/change_texttovoice_speed/#link=%7B%22role%22:%22standard%22,%22href%22:%22https://www.reddit.com/r/GoogleGeminiAI/comments/1ejxlas/change_texttovoice_speed/%22,%22target%22:%22_blank%22,%22absolute%22:%22%22,%22linkText%22:%22but%20it%20doesn%27t%20seem%20to%20be%20reliable%22%7D#link=%7B%22role%22:%22standard%22,%22href%22:%22https://www.reddit.com/r/GoogleGeminiAI/comments/1ejxlas/change_texttovoice_speed/#link=%7B%22role%22:%22standard%22,%22href%22:%22https://www.reddit.com/r/GoogleGeminiAI/comments/1ejxlas/change_texttovoice_speed/%22,%22target%22:%22_blank%22,%22absolute%22:%22%22,%22linkText%22:%22but%20it%20doesn%27t%20seem%20to%20be%20reliable%22%7D%22,%22target%22:%22_blank%22,%22absolute%22:%22%22,%22linkText%22:%22but%20it%20doesn%27t%20seem%20to%20be%20reliable,%22%7D) and there’s no clear slider to use, as there is with Siri. I can’t wait to try it out when the beta version is released, and I’ll let you know how it performs. What I’m not sure about is which Siri features will cost extra. Apple did mention that some abilities may require an upgraded iCloud subscription to use, or at least to use as frequently as you’d like. Fully unlocking Alexa Plus costs $20 per month without an Amazon Prime subscription, so there’s precedent for charging fees in this area. I’m hoping that customization options like these will remain free, though, since they’re useful for everyone using Siri — or any other voice assistant.  ![Tech Editors Discuss the New Siri AI Updates from WWDC 2026](https://cdn.ex.co/transformations-account/production/bf6379df-047b-4e0a-b804-89ce1cc89281/b41a5a5b-8f1e-4392-bd8d-8814f9236a30/thumbnail-1080.webp) ![Tyler Lacoma](https://www.cnet.com/wp-content/themes/cnet-theme/assets/images/author-avatar-fallback.png) Tyler Lacoma Editor / Home Security and Smart Home Tyler has worked on, lived with and tested all types of smart home and security technology for over a dozen years, explaining the latest features, privacy tricks, and top recommendations. With degrees in Business Management, Literature and Technical Writing, Tyler takes every opportunity to play with the latest AI technology, push smart devices to their limits and occasionally throw cameras off his roof, all to find the best devices to trust in your life. He always checks with the renters (and pets) in his life to see what smart products can work for everyone, in every living situation. Living in beautiful Bend, Oregon gives Tyler plenty of opportunities to test the latest tech in every kind of weather and temperature. But when not at work, he can be found hiking the trails, trying out a new food recipe for his loved ones, keeping up on his favorite reading, or gaming with good friends. [See full bio](https://www.cnet.com/profiles/tlacoma/) ### The Latest from Tyler - [Ring Gave Itself a Security Makeover Called TAKE. Here’s What’s Actually Changing](https://www.cnet.com/home/security/ring-gave-itself-a-security-makeover-called-take-heres-whats-actually-changing-2/) - [My Guaranteed Steps to Tell if a New Device Is a Flock Camera](https://www.cnet.com/home/security/my-guaranteed-steps-to-tell-if-a-new-device-is-a-flock-camera/) - [Oura, Smart Ring Maker, Sued for Alleged False Claims and Unreliable AI](https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/oura-class-action-lawsuit-ai-sleep-tracking/)