Apple Devices May Soon Exclude ‘Hey Siri’ Commands from Television Commercials

Apple Devices May Soon Exclude 'Hey Siri' Commands from Television Commercials

Apple Devices May Soon Exclude ‘Hey Siri’ Commands from Television Commercials


# Apple Ads Will No Longer Trigger Siri: An Insight into the New AdBlocker Framework

Apple has consistently been a leader in incorporating voice technology into its products, debuting the “Hey Siri” command in iOS 8 to enable hands-free interaction with the virtual assistant. While this advancement has improved user experience, it has also resulted in some unintended issues. One of the most significant concerns has been Siri being accidentally activated by TV ads that feature the command. However, Apple is taking action to resolve this situation with the rollout of a new framework in its newest software update.

## The Challenge with Unintentional Siri Activations

The ease provided by voice-activated assistants such as Siri can often be eclipsed by the irritation caused by unwarranted activations. Users have reported occurrences where their devices react to the “Hey Siri” command during TV commercials or various media, resulting in confusion and annoyance. This problem gained particular attention when Apple broadcast ads that included Siri, causing devices in viewers’ households to respond to the prompts.

## Unveiling the AdBlocker Framework

According to *9to5Mac*, the most recent beta version of tvOS 18.2 has unveiled a new framework dubbed “AdBlocker.” Although the title might imply a straightforward fix for blocking online ads, the framework serves a more complex purpose. It is engineered to thwart Siri from being activated by distinct audio signals, especially those contained in Apple’s own advertisements.

### Mechanism of Operation

The AdBlocker framework is closely connected to ShazamKit, Apple’s song identification API, acquired with Shazam in 2018. The framework will use audio fingerprints obtained from Apple’s servers to recognize specific audio signals. When the device’s microphone detects sound that aligns with these fingerprints—like those from Apple commercials—the framework will temporarily deactivate the “Hey Siri” command.

This indicates that if a user watches an Apple advertisement that mentions “Hey Siri,” their device will remain unresponsive, effectively eradicating the frustration of accidental activations.

## Early Rollout and Future Outlook

At present, the AdBlocker framework has been spotted in the beta version of tvOS 18.2, indicating that Apple is putting emphasis on its deployement on the HomePod, a device that has experienced numerous complaints about unintentional Siri activations during advertisements. For instance, in 2019, many HomePod users noted their devices responded to prompts made within an AirPods advertisement, leading to widespread frustration.

Apple is anticipated to launch tvOS 18.2 in December, which will not only feature the AdBlocker framework but also accommodate different aspect ratios on Apple TV, thereby enhancing the overall user experience.

## Final Thoughts

Apple’s rollout of the AdBlocker framework represents a crucial advancement in enhancing user-device interactions, particularly in relation to voice-activated technology. By utilizing audio fingerprinting and the Shazam API, Apple seeks to diminish the occurrence of accidental Siri activations prompted by its own advertisements. As the update nears, users can expect a more fluid experience with Siri, devoid of interruptions from unintended triggers.