Apple Acquires Speech Technology Startup VocalIQ

[leesweet]

So, not to be picky, but, seriously, is that quote for real? There are several very odd English usages in those quotes about Siri. And I'm not being insulting, it's just that for a speech/AI company, you'd think they would parse and say things very precisely! This sounds/looks like a foreign-language speaker or something. Not that there's anything wrong with that...

The reason for this state of affairs is that while Apple, Google and the some others have mastered how the use machine learning for speech-recognition, they are still stuck with medieval approach when it comes of conversational voice dialog. They are still using pre-programmed flow-chart based response that don't learn.

 

[iSee]

Well, I hope their technology is stronger than their grammar.

Actually, that post was written by one of their machines. Unfortunately, it's been learning from your average Internet posts... right through to earnest Apple-bashing. You can see why Tim Cook & Co. were so impressed!

 

[shanson27]

What does it mean ?

 

[usarioclave]

Siri, meet Eliza. Eliza, meet Siri.

 

[noveneerhere]

He's got the EarPods in the wrong ear...

 

[AbSoluTc]

He's got the EarPods in the wrong ear...

They're still learning.

 

[brbttyl]

"My company makes products that have good conversation, talk good, help you shopping better."

 

[Rocketman]

The reason for this state of affairs is that while Apple, Google and the some others have mastered how the use machine learning for speech-recognition, they are still stuck with medieval approach when it comes of conversational voice dialog. They are still using pre-programmed flow-chart based response that don't learn.

The consumer demand for a self-learning multi-domain conversational voice system where consumers can freely talk about movies, restaurants, music, hotel bookings and the meaning of life, is huge and undeniable. The first one to meet that demand will rule the smartphone and wearables market for the next decade.

It appears the promise of this sentence possibly being true justified taking over a small start-up. Likely at a premium price.

Rocketman

 

[MrCherry2000]

I can hardly wait for Siri to be as helpful as "predictive" typing is on the keyboards. I look forward to my iPhone activating some obscure self-destruct sequence next time I ask it to open iTunes. I can now accidentally text disgusting things I'd never have imagined with Siri too.

 

[Force332]

One of the things I've been disappointed with Siri is that Apple has always referred to her as your "personal assistant," but I never feel that that's entirely true. For example if I say, "In 45 minutes remind me to put my clothes in the dryer," she'll say, "OK, I'll remind you." When you look at the reminder it will say, "Put my clothes in the dryer." To me it would feel more like an assistant if it would automatically convert to, "Put your clothes in the dryer." It's being picky, I know, but I think it would feel like a more natural conversation I would have if I had my own human assistant. Not just dictate what I say and repeat those exact words on command.

Regarding Siri's ability to understand context, I personally feel there is currently little to no understanding. I haven't had much luck getting the contextual awareness in conversations to work quite like in Apple's demos.

Overall, I do find Siri pretty useful and do use her daily. Just lots of room for improvement still. This latest acquisition seems promising.

 

[MisterK]

The advances in computers understanding us have occurred along different tracks – speech, gestures, facial/emotional recognition. What will be really interesting is when these tracks start to be tied together so that the computer can understand us more like a person would. "Turn that on" while pointing to something or "make that a little smaller" while gesturing with your fingers. The AI and learning aspect are particularly exciting. Things I say, along with all the subtle nuances of how I'm saying it (tone, gestures, expressions) help people understand me better. It will be great to see how computers deal with all that. It'll be the ultimate test when the computer knows when you're being sarcastic, for instance, and to do the opposite of what you've just said. It's fun to remember how far we've come even in my own lifetime (I'm early 30s) from the first Mac to talking to pocket supercomputers. I'm confident we'll get there.

 

[thekeyring]

Oh great. Now we'll have to start calling elevators lifts, hoods bonnets, trunks boots, chips crisps, fries chips and cookies biscuits. Bollocks!!

Look, we don't care about how you use English, but please stop saying 'we could care less'. The only thing you rule out is that you care nothing, which is exactly what you're trying to convey.

Love, the Queen.

 

[MhzDoesMatter]

I have no interest in conversations with my phone. I barely have interest in conversation via my phone.

But you kids have a blast.

Just give us our ball back, Mr. Wilson.

 

[Gutwrench]

It's not always clear how Apple uses the technology from companies that it purchases, but with this acquisition, it's likely Apple will use the API to improve its voice-based personal assistant, Siri.

Ohhhhh reeaaallllllyyyyyyy?

 

[Karma*Police]

I keep reading about how much better Google Now and Cortana is than Siri yet I haven't seen any solid evidence of that; whether on YouTube side by side comparison videos, 3rd party studies or in real life. In fact, I carry both an M8 and iPhone and find myself using Siri more than Google Now. I can't speak for Cortana as I don't have much experience with it.

Are people just regurgitating what a few journalists have spewed or can someone point me to some actual, irrefutable evidence that Google Now and/or Cortana is actually better than Siri?

 

[Woodcrest64]

Any idea when Apple bought the company responsible for Siri? Was it a year or two before iPhone 4s ?

 

[thelookingglass]

I keep reading about how much better Google Now and Cortana is than Siri yet I haven't seen any solid evidence of that; whether on YouTube side by side comparison videos, 3rd party studies or in real life. In fact, I carry both an M8 and iPhone and find myself using Siri more than Google Now. I can't speak for Cortana as I don't have much experience with it.

Are people just regurgitating what a few journalists have spewed or can someone point me to some actual, irrefutable evidence that Google Now and/or Cortana is actually better than Siri?

It's better in some ways, but about the same in most others. Voice AI just isn't really that intelligent yet unfortunately. Maybe this acquisition will change things. Siri has made big improvements since she was first released, but it's not like talking to her is very natural.

 

[5105973]

I have no interest in conversations with my phone. I barely have interest in conversation via my phone.

But you kids have a blast.

I'm just worried about having a self driving car that I could tick off. I can see the car and I having an argument and it getting pretty ugly.

I already argue with Siri. She's surprisingly sarcastic. The kids love her for it. And now they love tormenting me by waking her up in my pocket by yelling "Hey Siri". Next thing you know it looks like my butt is talking to them because there is this little voice coming from my back jeans pocket. Siri responds really well to my daughter who can mimic my voice.

 

[Tech198]

I always understand the concept of when a company buys natural learning, although the technology is good, the move away from out best buddies having a real conversation, i always fine, as this tech improves, the human world of actually talking to friends will be less and less.

"I don't wanna know you" "I'd rather talk to my phone, At least she understands me.."

This would be what i keep thinking real life will be like someday..

http://s3cf.recapguide.com/img/tv/111/3x15/Futurama-Season-3-Episode-15-22-03a3.jpg

And, its creepy.... heaps of people fenced off. users may not want to understand that now, but we're heading there... This is how it starts with natural language.

 

[ArmCortexA8]

Oh great now we will have people making full conversations with their phone as it was human

 

[5105973]

After the conversations I've had with friends and family on FB recently I can't imagine chatting with AI could possibly degrade the level of discourse I've been experiencing in the wake of various current events.

I've got intelligent, educated mature adult friends reducing complex social, religious and political issues into mean spirited memes and sharing clickbait articles to attack opposing viewpoints instead of intelligently engaging them. They badger me if I ignore all that stuff but if I post my disagreements they get huffy and say if I don't agree I can just ignore their 19 political and religious posts a day that they complain I ignore. Oh for the love of...make it stop!

Unfortunately FB is the only place my out of state friends and relatives will agree to keep in touch anymore. And something about communicating on FB brings out the worst in people I've known and respected for decades.

Even Siri as she is now is sometimes more pleasant to talk to. Wake me when all the campaigning is over and when religion fades from the news. I'm hibernating.

 

[hawaii529]

Oh great!... Now I'm going to have to say AL-U-MIN-E-UM instead of Aluminum.

You do realise that both of those words are pronounced the same identical way. Ps...you missed an 'i' in the way you spelled it. It is spelled aluminIum ;-)

 

[JGowan]

"The reason for this state of affairs is that while Apple, Google and the some others have mastered how the use machine learning for speech-recognition, they are still stuck with medieval approach when it comes of conversational voice dialog. They are still using pre-programmed flow-chart based response that don't learn."
​

OMG! There's, like, 10 things wrong with this sentence! Amazing that it's coming from a company that is criticizing Apple's communication.

 

[jeffe]

I keep reading about how much better Google Now and Cortana is than Siri yet I haven't seen any solid evidence of that; whether on YouTube side by side comparison videos, 3rd party studies or in real life. In fact, I carry both an M8 and iPhone and find myself using Siri more than Google Now. I can't speak for Cortana as I don't have much experience with it.

Are people just regurgitating what a few journalists have spewed or can someone point me to some actual, irrefutable evidence that Google Now and/or Cortana is actually better than Siri?

Better in what way and what are you using Siri and Google now for? They each have their strengths and weaknesses and any comparison made today may not be valid tomorrow as they are both evolving.

Google now though is more like proactive Siri and has been that way since it was released. Users using Google now with an active gmail account and those who use chrome while signed in will see the most benefits.

 

[doelcm82]

You do realise that both of those words are pronounced the same identical way. Ps...you missed an 'i' in the way you spelled it. It is spelled aluminIum ;-)

So, it's pronounced just the way it's spelled. Just like "Worcester", "quay", "gaol", and "pwll mawr".