Apple confirms third-party voice app access to iPhone side button in Japan

This allows app makers to integrate their services into a core system previously exclusive to Siri.

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Expanding coverage of iPhone's features

Apple has published new developer documentation detailing a significant expansion of iPhone hardware access, which will permit users in Japan to reassign the side button to launch a third-party voice-based conversational application.

This new feature allows app makers to integrate their services deeply into a core system experience previously exclusive to Siri.

By adopting the App Intents framework and utilizing App Shortcuts, developers can enable their apps to be instantly accessed when the user presses and holds the side button of the iPhone.

For the time being, Apple specifies that this functionality is limited exclusively to Japan, requiring users to have their Apple Account region set to the country and be physically located there.

The documentation outlines clear steps for developers wishing to enable this functionality for their voice apps.

First, they must include the com.apple.developer.side-button-access.allow entitlement in their app's Xcode project.

Second, they need to create an app intent that conforms to the activate app intent schema.

The most critical requirement centers on user expectation: since people expect the voice assistant to be immediately available upon pressing the side button, developers must ensure that the app’s performance implementation quickly navigates to the conversational scene and starts an audio session, such as by using AVFoundation.

The App Intents framework facilitates this deep integration, allowing apps to function alongside system features like App Shortcuts.

By following these steps, app developers can provide consumers in Japan with an unprecedented choice for their default hardware-activated voice assistant, potentially launching other services with a simple press-and-hold gesture.

Via: 9to5Mac