eli5: How does siri hear me say “hey siri” if it isn’t constantly listening to my conversations or me speaking?

Question

eli5: How does siri hear me say “hey siri” if it isn’t constantly listening to my conversations or me speaking?

In: 17336

Answer 1

Your phone has a small chip called DSP, wich is always translating your voice into data. It has a “special mode” where it uses almost no battery but can still understand the “Hey Siri” hotword and wake up the phone.

It’s like when your dog is sleeping next to you and you say something. It will listen, but won’t react unless you call your dog’s name.