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Apple's Amazon Echo Competitor Could Feature Camera, Facial Recognition
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I think this is pretty spot on.
The original iPhone was pretty basic until iOS was opened up to developers
The Apple Watch is pretty basic, but will become more of entity when developers get their teeth into it and make it work
Siri will be useful when it's opened up and developers add real functionality to it
Apple do hardware incredibly well, but software not so much (iMessage was the only stock app I used on my iPhone 6 before I switched to an S7), and if you can push the work to developers who'll do it effectively at no cost to Apple, then it's a no brainer.
I suspect that this is a move into collecting data though. I struggle to think of what use it would be otherwise than a one-off purchase. If the computational power is with Apple, then there's little incentive to upgrade regularly. The truth is that if Apple want to compete with Google on all fronts, it needs to know it's users in the same way that Google does, and a convenience product like this would be the perfect start point
I would be surprised if they moved into collecting data. I believe they spent time in a few of their last events talking about security of your data and saying they don't want it.
To do exactly what Google is doing, I think they would need to make a major change in their policies. I don't see that happening at this point. However, I think there is still a fairly large audience that still care about their privacy and are willing to trade off some of the over the shoulder suggestions, if necessary. Apple can still do a lot with localized data, but you would still need an iPhone, a Mac, etc..
Ok agreed, not every computer , 99% of macs sold and every iPhone/iPad sold have cameras. My point is that most Apple users are already used to having a camera on their computers/phones. Last year always on SIRI was introduced so I do t think it's that big of a leap to an echo-like device. If they market it as a FaceTime camera with additional capabilities and Apples promise of privacy I don't see a problem of acceptance.
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I'm curious if the people in this forum would have a problem if Apple offered an opt-in service with data collection and additional capabilities? And would you opt in?
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Is this some mad gadget that sits in your house and watches pre-programmed to respond to your every move ?
Apple's rumored product designed to compete with the Amazon Echo could come equipped with a camera and facial recognition capabilities, reports CNET. Citing sources with knowledge of Apple's plans, CNET says the device would be "self aware," able to detect the people in the room through facial recognition technology.
Once the device determines who is in the room, that information could be used to pull up each person's preferences, "such as the music and lighting they like," allowing for a customized interactive experience for each member of the home. Facial recognition is something Apple has previously expressed interest in, both through patent filings and acquisitions.
News of Apple's work on an Amazon Echo competitor first surfaced earlier this week, when The Information reported such a device was under development. The Amazon Echo is an in-home personal assistant device that features a built-in speaker and a robust artificial intelligence system, and a product from Apple would likely be similar, with AI capabilities based on Siri along with its own speaker and microphone.
It is not clear what form Apple's in-home hub will take. While The Information's report suggested it was a standalone hardware product, a second report from VentureBeat has said Apple will built the Echo-like features into a next-generation Apple TV.
Apple is laying the groundwork for a robust in-home AI-powered product through its work on Siri, and major Siri improvements could come in iOS 10. Apple is said to be preparing to release a Siri SDK, which would make the personal assistant available to developers for the first time and greatly increase its functionality.
Today's report is the first to include details on a potential release timeline, suggesting the device could launch at the end of 2016, but 2017 is a more likely target. CNET cautions that Apple's plans for a camera could change as it is a potential privacy risk that may not be favorable with consumers. As with all Apple products still under development, there's also a chance Apple could scrap its Echo competitor entirely.
Article Link: Apple's Amazon Echo Competitor Could Feature Camera, Facial Recognition
Reminds me I must phone the wife.
I'm looking forward to seeing how technology from VocalIQ, a UK company acquired by Apple last year, pans out integrated into an Apple device. Here's a recent article about their tech. A ton of potential on the horizon.
Yes, they do have a camera on their phones and laptops, but you ignore the point about the device being powered and connected full time. The majority of Apples products are mobile, and use a battery. Running a video camera all the time would be a massive power drain, not to mention streaming it to the web when a connection is available. So the camera is rarely on unless specifically requested by the user. SIRI being always on is not quite the same as it first requires a key phrase to activate, and operates in a very low power mode. So it's not streaming conversations to the web. At least if any third party app managed this without the customer being aware, the battery would drop in such a way that it would raise questions. Of all the Apple products with a camera, only one is plugged in 24/7 with the ability to record and transmit and that's the iMac. But most people shut their iMacs off when not in use (and I know people who put tape over their FaceTime cameras). This thing will be on all the time, the sole purpose is to be connected to the Internet and stream captured video and audio. if it offers third party apps like the TV, that's when it will become a serious concern because then customers will have to manage their privacy settings, to dictate under what circumstances the camera has access -- the results of which will have permenant consequences, unlike the iPhone/iPad or MacBook which are more often than not, put to sleep.
I'm not particularly concerned about such things, but even I wonder just what sweeping access I am giving an app when I click OK to access my camera, or photos. My point ultimately is that there will be people uncomfortable with this technology, regardless of how much they trust Apple, or how ubiquitous cameras are on all of their devices currently, because it marks a major change in how they permit such devices to interact with their lives.
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Agreed. I think They could potentially assist Apple in making a device that could be more than an integrated assistant, maybe more personalized to your liking, I.e. Specific Voice recognition, identity confirmation, personal features tailored to the user. I wonder how Siri could be effective enough where it's not stagnant as it is now? That's also an area that needs improvement. It's to bad the original two guys who created Siri, left to create Viv. Which I believe will quickly overtake Siri. Even Google And Amazon are making strides. What do you think?
If the content of the article is accurate, VocalIQ's tech is extremely impressive in understanding and handling complex compound requests. Appears that training is impressive as well. I see this becoming Siri.
And it also helps that Apple has allowed Siri to be opened to developers, being they need to expand on what She can do. They may be able to assist in avenues where Apple seems to lack in or invest the time into. But none the less, Apple is definitely venturing further away from the "Norm" by today's standards with a voice Integrated assistant. I for one, am looking forward to see where this goes. Whole another level for Apple, if they take there time and no rush it into the market, just because other players have their hardware readily available.
There may be some news at WWDC in conjunction with opening Siri to developers. Not necessarily an assistive device announcement yet, but where their underlying tech is going. Although Apple's R&D have historically been kept under wraps, there would be little harm touting what was already publicly revealed in that article in order to give people an idea of what the future holds.
I am curious to know what you think the major upsides there are to allowing them to collect all my data? I don't see the upsides to be that beneficial unless you want targeted advertising. I have ad blockers to avoid that now.
Unless they can make something incredibly better, don't bother. I like where Google Home is going, but something is still missing. (I'd explain shortly)
There's actually tons of things Apple can do. It needs to go back to that root of "it just works" philosophy. Rethink what others are doing and think how to make changes that would ACTUALLY make a difference.
Take this Echo competitor as an example, a completely redesigned Apple Time Capsule/Airport Extreme (AX)/Airport Express (AE) from the ground up could work great. First thing it needs to address is to rethink how wi-fi router works.
IMO, instead of having a WAN port on the router, we should have a small AP that communicates directly to TC (either via Wi-Fi or something even better). So all the routing is still processed by TC, it just routes its traffic to that AP for WAN access.
This frees up the necessity of having the TC/AX in the corner where the optimal place is actually in the middle of the entire house and the TC/AX can act as an Echo.
Furthermore, by integrating storage into the system, the TC can act as a security hub (Apple would just introduce products to expand or protocols like a better HomeKit for others to develop on) and store data locally.
Think if a TC has more processing power (say A9X?). It could process video/sound/motion feed to detect intruders and could cross-check with regular devices (say iPhones/Android phones in the family) and instead of taking precaution measure, it welcomes them home and ask if schedule needs to be changed (if arriving early/late). Since all data are stored locally, it has less privacy concerns.
AE should be a modular design to be able to carry different sensors as users see fit. And all AE would be able to setup with TC by just first tapping on the TC via NFC. So the AE not only expand Wi-Fi network/airplay, it also acts as satellite sensors to the entire local network.
From there, Apple would build a Sat Store, selling all kind of approved modules and the possibility is really only limited by imagination and sensor technology.
There's actually tons of things Apple can do. It needs to go back to that root of "it just works" philosophy. Rethink what others are doing and think how to make changes that would ACTUALLY make a difference.
Take this Echo competitor as an example, a completely redesigned Apple Time Capsule/Airport Extreme (AX)/Airport Express (AE) from the ground up could work great. First thing it needs to address is to rethink how wi-fi router works.
IMO, instead of having a WAN port on the router, we should have a small AP that communicates directly to TC (either via Wi-Fi or something even better). So all the routing is still processed by TC, it just routes its traffic to that AP for WAN access.
This frees up the necessity of having the TC/AX in the corner where the optimal place is actually in the middle of the entire house and the TC/AX can act as an Echo.
Furthermore, by integrating storage into the system, the TC can act as a security hub (Apple would just introduce products to expand or protocols like a better HomeKit for others to develop on) and store data locally.
Think if a TC has more processing power (say A9X?). It could process video/sound/motion feed to detect intruders and could cross-check with regular devices (say iPhones/Android phones in the family) and instead of taking precaution measure, it welcomes them home and ask if schedule needs to be changed (if arriving early/late). Since all data are stored locally, it has less privacy concerns.
AE should be a modular design to be able to carry different sensors as users see fit. And all AE would be able to setup with TC by just first tapping on the TC via NFC. So the AE not only expand Wi-Fi network/airplay, it also acts as satellite sensors to the entire local network.
From there, Apple would build a Sat Store, selling all kind of approved modules and the possibility is really only limited by imagination and sensor technology.
Is it just me, or is Apple putting computers on the back burner and focusing on everything else that computer sales allowed them to venture into? I used to get so excited about new computer releases. It's been since 2012 when I was excited and bought the rMBP. Now I'm just reading about watches, cars, and now whatever that Amazon Echo competitor is going to be. 
PS- Do we really want devices that can hear, see, and track our movements 24/7 *inside* our homes? If the NSA doesn't have a dedicated "Apple Cracking" unit, they soon will. I know it's good to be "connected," but I think people are taking this concept way too far. Wait until you are at home swearing about your boss and this thing hears his name, and sends him the email transcript of what you just said. Good times are coming, I'm sure!
PS- Do we really want devices that can hear, see, and track our movements 24/7 *inside* our homes? If the NSA doesn't have a dedicated "Apple Cracking" unit, they soon will. I know it's good to be "connected," but I think people are taking this concept way too far. Wait until you are at home swearing about your boss and this thing hears his name, and sends him the email transcript of what you just said. Good times are coming, I'm sure!
People said the same thing about personal computers and smartphones, and to some extent it's true that they can be compromised to spy on you.
Of course, the same thing goes when hiring housemaids and gardeners. If you're a drug lord, you'll always have to vet your companions, surroundings and comm devices
No doubt, but bear in mind that NSA's target is foreign nationals. So unless you're using the gizmo outside the US, or are inside the US using the device to send messages overseas, they're not interested in you.
Now the FBI, on the other hand, _is_ tasked with internal security...
I wouldn't worry about that... unless your boss gives it to you a present. Then I'd be a bit suspicious
I've already got Amazon Fire TVs and Echos in my house. Too late Apple. I might have pause if I thought TC's team could produce something awesome but they can't/wont', so no need to wait. Maybe, though, it will come in 5 colors!
Just trolling Mac Rumors looking for signs of the new MBP. Might be my last Apple purchase, unless they can get some fresh blood/ideas/innovation back in.
Just trolling Mac Rumors looking for signs of the new MBP. Might be my last Apple purchase, unless they can get some fresh blood/ideas/innovation back in.
I think reading a moving 3 dimension face and a 2 dimensional status photograph are just slightly technologically different. Wait a second...are you for real?
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It certainly didn't. And still doesn't. You own an iPhone, right?
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I agree it won't likely be a standalone device. But, I don't think it's the extra OS that would worry Apple, because a Siri box wouldn't likely have anything complex going on in it, such as a graphical interface. Apple likes dependent devices (it'll likely require an iPhone or iPad) because it'll drive the parent device sales. Then, in 1-2 years, they can release the standalone version and say it's a "new feature".
Maybe we should have a naming contest for the audio
HAL 9000
Orwell
Big Brother
Samantha (from movie "Her")
Pat (from movie "Smart House")
...
and another contest for whose voice should be used
Let's see, "2 competitors **announce**"...So these competitors "demolish Siri" just based on their alleged intentions alone. Cool universe you live in. And what negative rumor about a feature of a cartoon character?
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Sure, six months away, and Google has always shipped when they said they would. Except when they usually don't.
I can't believe I had to go 32 comments down the list before I found one that recognized how incredible this is. APPLE IS CREATING A SELF-AWARE AI! Ray Kurzwiel's Singularity is almost upon us! And, the story was scooped by CNET, that bastion of tech journalism. Why isn't the mainstream media isn't all over this? OK, enough surfing the web- time to get busy building that underground bunker.
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Siri has already been roundly humiliated. And that's before Google and ViV announced products. What fantasy land do you live in?