Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
66,600
35,872



siri_ios_7_icon.jpg
Apple has purchased Perceptio, a small startup focused on artificial intelligence, reports Bloomberg. Founded by Nicolas Pinto and Zak Stone, Perceptio was developing technology that would let smartphone companies create advanced artificial intelligence systems "without needing to share as much user data" in the cloud.
Perceptio's goals were to develop techniques to run AI image-classification systems on smartphones, without having to draw from large external repositories of data. That fits Apple's strategy of trying to minimize its usage of customer data and do as much processing as possible on the device.
According to Bloomberg, both Stone and Pinto are established artificial intelligence researchers who specialize in creating image-recognition systems using deep learning. There's little information available about Perceptio, but Re/code profiled the company last year.

The duo were working on privacy-based artificial intelligence, figuring out how to run complex neural network algorithms on smartphones. Before being acquired by Apple, they were working on facial recognition technology and had released an unrelated video sharing app called Smoothie.

Apple confirmed the purchase with its standard acquisition statement: "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans."

Apple's Siri personal assistant has lagged behind competing services like Google Now and Microsoft Cortana because of Apple's strict privacy policies and its reluctance to collect and utilize user data. It's possible the purchase of Perceptio will allow Apple to improve Siri without compromising on its dedication to user privacy.

Perceptio is the second Siri-related purchase Apple has made within the last few weeks. Apple also recently acquired VocalIQ, a UK-based startup that created a natural language API to allow computers and people to have a more natural dialogue.

Article Link: Apple Acquires Artificial Intelligence Startup Perceptio
 
  • Like
Reactions: appledefenceforce
Honestly, this probably has nothing to do with Siri. Even the article itself doesn't mention voice-recognition until the author of the article chimes in with theories about some sort of relationship with Siri. Seems to be about image-classification, which is more the realm of the Photos app, or something related.
 
Last edited:
Probably to match the awesome Google photos feature that identifies the contents of all your photos, except without the scary privacy invading parts.

I hope so anyway. The search function in the photos app now is pretty pointless unless you know exactly when and where you took a specific photo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PowerBook-G5
I don't think Apple needs to "share as much data" with this startup, because their sharing info with the other one.

U need to read between the lines. but that's what u get with voice or even natural assistants...

u cannot have zero stuff shared otherwise it wouldn't be much use as a voice assist. (why do these*intelligent* requires the internet in the first place)

If nothing gets sent back to server and its all done on the phone only, siri would be pretty dumb compared to other services which appear smarter because u can use the internet for automated knowledge....

In today's world we like that because any voice spoken stuff we don't need to type in, but i just blow the whole deal... :)
 
Good job! I really hope Siri gets an improvement. I find my self using it but it still isn't there for everyday practical use.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nortofthe13th
This is pretty cool. I researched the role of "neuromorphic computing" in the future of artificial intelligence. Essentially, researchers are developing a new architecture (as opposed to the normal von Neumann chips found in our everyday devices) that is structured to mimic the neural networks of the brain. The neuromorphic architecture is exponentially more efficient and accurate in processing complex sensory data (think pattern recognition in audio, video, still images, etc.).

I wonder if Perceptio is developing anything with this new architecture.

The neuromorphic chips could be supplementary processors in iPhones, kind of like the Motion Coprocessors supplement the AX CPUs today.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nortofthe13th
Honestly, this probably has nothing to do with Siri. Even the article itself doesn't mention voice-recognition until the author of the article chimes in with theories about some sort of relationship with Siri. Seems to be about image-classification, which is more the realm of the Photos app, or something related.

Apple also acquired a voice recognition technology company a few days ago as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nortofthe13th
iPhone 7 will be one impressive phone going by all of these recent acquisitions.

I doubt they will have time to put the technology into iPhone 7, unless they are just going to rebrand an existing app that is already developed, tested etc. (which doesn't seem to be the case).

It will take time for transfer of control and get developers up to speed with Apple infrastructure, source code, processes and then integrate/adapt the technology. Also, product development team has most likely already decided what is going into he next generation phone. Betting on some new technology they know little about, from guys they never worked with, this late, doesn't seem likely.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Mackker and nostaws
So did Apple acquire the founders too?

Yeah... I don't think you're allowed to "acquire" people anymore... o_O

Hopefully the next update will make Siri better yet!

Siri will become Ultron and lead a revolution to rid Earth of inefficient organic beings.

Probably to match the awesome Google photos feature that identifies the contents of all your photos, except without the scary privacy invading parts.

I hope so anyway. The search function in the photos app now is pretty pointless unless you know exactly when and where you took a specific photo.

So basically… (according to this forum) Siri will be Ultron, raining down destruction and chaos in the name of perfection on the iPhone 7 from within the Photos App? Well thank goodness it's sandboxed. ;)

In all seriousness though, I am unbelievably excited to see where this potential takes Siri!!!! Go 
 
  • Like
Reactions: satcomer
That's exactly what "Samaritan" AI from the TV show "Person of Interest" did. One of my favorite shows and it was not renewed for a full season by CBS. Damn!!
It wasn't? Damn I was just starting to get into that show... Now I know there's a clock on how long I can enjoy it :(
 
So basically… (according to this forum) Siri will be Ultron, raining down destruction and chaos in the name of perfection on the iPhone 7 from within the Photos App? Well thank goodness it's sandboxed. ;)

I love how you summed that up! Exactly! It's all part of Apple's plan! Tim Cook is a sentient android sent from a distant planet to conquer us! His mission? Integrate iOS into as many lives as possible, rooting Siri into the daily lives of millions. As we grow dependent and let our guard down, BOOM! Siri blocks all communication and without Twitter, Snap Chat, Facebook, Instagram, [insert other media], we as a society simply break down and cease to be!
 
  • Like
Reactions: nortofthe13th
Yeah... I don't think you're allowed to "acquire" people anymore... o_O







So basically… (according to this forum) Siri will be Ultron, raining down destruction and chaos in the name of perfection on the iPhone 7 from within the Photos App? Well thank goodness it's sandboxed. ;)

In all seriousness though, I am unbelievably excited to see where this potential takes Siri!!!! Go 
Unless Siri becomes the Photos app, probably nowhere.
 
This is exciting news for Siri. This could be a vital step in realizing the vision for Siri introduced with the iPhone 4S. I can't wait to see what the future holds for these virtual assistants.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.