Isn't this already available with Kinect? I guess I was just confused by the "future" technology part of it.
Kinect requires use of the Xbox though... harmonizing Kinect like features universally into a television would be where it's at. (Which Microsoft seems to be attempting, yet poorly <big surprise> and will soon offer software to allow the 360 to act as a cable box.) It also doesn't work well with voice commands and it much better with gestures.
I don't like the idea of speaking to the TV I like using the remote or touch device to flip through channels or go to the menu don't feel up to talking to a tv don't think is such a good idea using voice commands.
And no one would probably engage any device completely by voice. Like Siri, there are times when it's a great thing to have, but more often you do things manually.
Have you ever tried to search the cable guide for a show? It's tedious and takes forever. That's when voice control would be a go to feature. "Find American Horror story and set to record a season pass." That's the sweet spot. "Siri, turn to channel 2" is where it's a bit extreme, or "turn the volume up ten notches" which can be done faster with a remote.
But when Apple does it, it will suddenly become revolutionary and people will wonder how they ever got along without being able to talk to their tv.
With Apple, it would be the whole package, not just one lone feature like voice control. Voice control would not sell a device for them, it would merely be an extra incentive. Much as Siri didn't bring forth many early upgrades, where the iPhone 4 was revolutionary in design and power that people upgraded early in droves.
If Apple did it though, the feature would probably work. Above, someone mentioned Kinect. Enough said. You usually end up swearing at the Kinect more than you find talking to it productive.
Look at Face Time. 98% of people played with it once for the novelty, and have never found a need to use it again. No matter how video chat improves, it's shunned. Voice control has been that way too. Every time I see someone screaming and yelling in a GM vehicle, I'm usually certain they are swearing at the On Star lady who screws up everything you tell her.
I think you are in a very small minority on this one. Voice is where I ts going and I can't wait!
I think you are actually the one in the minority. Voice control isn't exactly new. People tend to feel dumb talking to inanimate objects. It can also become frustrating after a certain point.
When Voice control works like it does in Nick Stark's house in the Iron Man movies, then that would change. That's a long ways off. We can't even get computers to speak naturally yet, much less have perfect accuracy. Sometimes it's just easier to do things with a button, and no one feels like an idiot that way.
As for the article, Apple could very well even partner with other companies. At the end of the day, they need a TV that will work like any other TV, and offer some extra incentive worth the premium we all know their TV would command. Voice control isn't it... iTunes intergration isn't it... IOS control isn't it... it's all those combined and then some. A glorified Apple TV with Voice Control isn't revolutionary. It just needs something more.