Huawei Developing New Voice Assistant to Take On Siri

[MacRumors]

Huawei, currently the world's third largest smartphone manufacturer, is planning on developing its own voice assistant to compete with Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa, and Alphabet's Google Assistant, reports Bloomberg.

The company is said to have more than a hundred engineers that are in the early stages of developing the AI assistant. Sources that spoke to Bloomberg say Huawei plans to implement Chinese language support and target domestic users while Huawei smartphones continue to work with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa outside of China.

Huawei has been stepping up its efforts to compete with Apple, Samsung, and other major smartphone players in recent months. After dethroning Xiaomi to become the world's third largest smartphone maker, Huawei has now set its sights on Apple, and its own voice assistant could help set it apart.

According to Huawei consumer head Richard Yu, the company wants to become the number one smartphone manufacturer in the world by 2021. To do that, Huawei will need to break into the U.S. market, something that it hasn't yet managed to do.

Huawei does not currently have carrier agreements with the four major carriers in the United States, making it difficult for customers to acquire Huawei smartphones, but Huawei executives are aiming to change that in the future.

To better compete with Apple, Huawei recently launched an ad campaign that uses Justin Long, well known for his role in Apple's popular "Get a Mac" campaign. Long is currently promoting Huawei's most recent device, the Mate 9.

Article Link: Huawei Developing New Voice Assistant to Take On Siri

 

[djlythium]

...to be called Risi.

 

[Crosscreek]

Siri went off on my phone on some rant about finding something on the web while I was watching the news, WTF Apple?

 

[44267547]

I think at this point, it's fairly known that Siri is somewhat behind in deciphering and dictating inconsistencies. The major things I would like to see revamped for future OS updates, is Siri. I actually use Siri a lot for dictations, messages, emails and or searches. It's still a great tool, But it needs servicing in certain areas that are fairly obvious.

Last I read, Apple hired a team of engineers to revamp Siri. So hopefully these changes will come soon.

 

[tkukoc]

I was wondering when they were going to do this. Should be very interesting to see what they come up with. This should help push Apple to enhance siri further.

 

[Vasilioskn]

It won't be hard since Siri is one of the worst voice assistants on the market right now.

 

[Ivan0310]

Honestly, shouldn't this read that it's meant to take on Cortana or Google Assistant or anything else besides Siri? Siri is proof-positive that being first to the market (cannot remember if it was or not) doesn't make you the best.

 

[now i see it]

Actually the Aisin pronounciation of "Siri" sounds like "Silly"

...to be called Risi.

 

[Andres Cantu]

At this point, who isn't?

 

[tbayrgs]

Because that's exactly what we need, yet another voice assistant--Siri, Google Assistant, Cortana, Alexa, Bixby, and now Huawei's iteration.

Now if they are building it specifically for the Chinese market, makes a bit more sense.

 

[nuckinfutz]

lol because communist assistant are soooo helpful. "Sorry nuk I'm forbidden from searching on this topic "

 

[kdarling]

Because that's exactly what we need, yet another voice assistant--Siri, Google Assistant, Cortana, Alexa, Bixby, and now Huawei's iteration.

Actually, the more competition in this field, the better.

Now if they are building it specifically for the Chinese market, makes a bit more sense.

Yep:

Sources that spoke to Bloomberg say Huawei plans to implement Chinese language support and target domestic users while Huawei smartphones continue to work with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa outside of China.

 

[joueboy]

If I'm switching to Android, Huawei would be my first choice. Their price and quality is unmatched to any Android phone maker I currently know. Their smartwatch and phone combined is cheaper than just an iPhone itself. I've been pondering a lot on this one lately, maybe I'll wait and see what Apple has to offer. With the rumors of price going up to 1K, it's getting hard to find a reason for me to get one.

 

[BSben]

The thing is that it is made for Android, so how exactly does it compete with Siri?
I certainly wouldn't leave iOS for a different assistant. Overall I am happy with Siri,
there certainly is room for improvement, but most of the time it does what I need it to do.

 

[iDemiurge]

"Phone, tell me about the Tiananmen massacre."

"knock knock"

"Who's there?"

"Secret police. We'll take you out for a cup of tea."

 

[Aluminum213]

With how terrible Siri is, it will likely be significantly better from lunch

 

[bladerunner2000]

Does anybody actually use any of these voice command services? I've never seen anyone ever use Siri or any of the others.

 

[dwaltwhit]

Honestly, shouldn't this read that it's meant to take on Cortana or Google Assistant or anything else besides Siri? Siri is proof-positive that being first to the market (cannot remember if it was or not) doesn't make you the best.

But then people would shout "I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN APPLE FORUM!!!!!!1!!!"
[doublepost=1487201294][/doublepost]

Does anybody actually use any of these voice command services? I've never seen anyone ever use Siri or any of the others.

I think it's usually done alone so you don't feel silly talking to a phone.

 

[Technarchy]

Does anybody actually use any of these voice command services? I've never seen anyone ever use Siri or any of the others.

Daily, dozens of times a day. Simple voice commands is the easiest interface method there is.

 

[campyguy]

I welcome more competition.

I don't welcome Huawei's servers likely being located in the PRC. Pass…

 

[pika2000]

This will end up like Samsung's S-voice, ie. nobody uses them.

 

[niceandeasy]

I wonder how long will it be before the Chinese manufacturer's catch up to the big boy's pricing. I don't want another voice assistant Huawei just keep your phones cheap goddammit.

 

[joy.757]

More competition is good. Hopefully Siri sees some major improvements.

 

[Terrinb]

Honestly, shouldn't this read that it's meant to take on Cortana or Google Assistant or anything else besides Siri? Siri is proof-positive that being first to the market (cannot remember if it was or not) doesn't make you the best.

Each virtual assistant has its strengths, and weaknesses. None of them are the best at everything.

I use Siri a lot. Where she needs the most improvement is with understanding context. You can bet Apple is working on it.

 

[pika2000]

I wonder how long will it be before the Chinese manufacturer's catch up to the big boy's pricing. I don't want another voice assistant Huawei just keep your phones cheap goddammit.

Can't blame Huawei. I mean you cannot run a business long term with just razor thin margin. Huawei knows that, and thus they are trying to push themselves to more expensive (and better margin) products.
Luckily, there are plenty of other Chinese OEMs to keep making the cheap phones for you.