Siri shortcuts and suggestions, first investigation

[pyby]

Issue type

Feature request

Description of the problem

Since iOS 12, Apple introduced Shortcuts and Suggestions to Siri.

In Play apps, some short cuts could interest the user:

• to livestreams
• to favourites (ie Show pages)
• to sections like topic
• […]

Environment information

• iOS version: 12+
• Device: Any

[pyby]

Your app can make donations using one of the following objects:

• NSUserActivity. Donate the shortcut using a user activity when the action involves a view within your app, such as displaying recent transactions in a banking app.
• INInteraction. Donate the shortcut using an interaction when the action involves a task the user accomplishes with your app, such as recording activity in a ski and snowboard tracking app.

First quick idea is to use existing NSUserActivity, for Handoff:

• Displaying a show page.
• Playing a media.

UX Investigations

1. Displaying a show page is constant for months:
   • media list with episodes, with the same show unique ID, the URN.
   • Users can display it from a search, the favorites list, or a button in the detail page.
   • Users don't display it, from home pages, or push notification list.
2. Playing a media is specific:
   • each media has its own unique ID, the URN.
   • The user activity shares the current playback position (Handoff can continue the playback on an other device).

[pyby]

Our proposition output after this investigation:

• Add "Display %@ episodes" prediction when displaying a show page, using the existing NSUserActivity.
• Add "Watch %@" or "Listen to %@" prediction when playing a TV or radio livestream, using the existing NSUserActivity. Livestreams unique IDs are constant, contrary to VoDs and AoDs.

Apple suggests to add "Add to Siri" buttons, to create shortcuts within the Application. The other way is to install the Apple Shortcuts applications and create a shortcut with the new Play app actions.

From our discussion with the design team, a list of "Siri shortcuts" in Profil or Profil/Settings is a good idea. We could add this in a future update.