Apple plans Siri expansion and upgrade

by Steven Williamson on 20 January 2012, 11:37

Tags: Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)

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Siri could become an important tool for Apple device owners in the future as the company makes plans to expand its presence to iPad and Apple TV, as well as introduce some exciting new features.

In a new patent filed by Apple, plans have been revealed to turn its iOS voice-controlled software assistant, which is currently only available on iPhone, into an “Intelligent Automated Assistant” capable of ordering items online.

The patent also reveals that Siri could be used across the complete range of Apple devices, including iMac, MacBook, iPad, iPod Touch and Apple TV.

Plans for Siri’s mass integration into new products doesn’t stop there either, with Apple planning to eventually implement its digital voice assistant into vehicles and other entertainment systems.

Patently Apple looks at the patent in futher depth and speculates as to its future use and how it could change how we interact with our devices.

“Apple's patent shows us that Siri will be able to be configured to work with various new scenarios and even act as an instructor when we purchase future devices,” writes Patently Apple. “Forget using a manual – as Siri will simply teach us what we'll want to know about our new devices when we're ready to ask it a question about a new function or feature.”

Hang on a minute, doesn't Siri suck?


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Posted by Macman - Fri 20 Jan 2012 11:57
This is going to be an uphill struggle for Apple, unless they bring out a Scottish Siri

“Ach didnae' ken man” :L
Posted by crossy - Fri 20 Jan 2012 12:09
Plans for Siri’s mass integration into new products doesn’t stop there either, with Apple planning to eventually implement its digital voice assistant into vehicles and other entertainment systems.
Don't think I like the idea of a Siri-powered car. Apart from anything else I thought it relied on having a data connection, so if you're out of range then surely that means your fancy voice-enhanced, self-powered, mobile multimedia-enabled, personal transport reverts back to being a mere automobile?
In a new patent filed by Apple, plans have been revealed to turn its iOS voice-controlled software assistant, which is currently only available on iPhone, into an “Intelligent Automated Assistant” capable of ordering items online.
Translation: voice enabled ecommerce app. Not sure I'd like to see this - as I'm quite content to use the current methods. Although more Siri = less fingerprints on the screen, which is a good thing.
Macman
This is going to be an uphill struggle for Apple, unless they bring out a Scottish Siri. “Ach didnae' ken man” :L
Nah, SNP's going to sue them in Texas for discrimination. :p The resulting damages will be used to pay some money towards an independent Scotland contribution to the UK national debt.
(tongue firmly in cheek)
Posted by MonkeyMo - Fri 20 Jan 2012 14:05
Why are so many not getting what was actually covered in the report you link to? Don't people read anymore? Siri powered car? Really? Not. It's about using your iphone hands free in the car, which is the law in many countries. If you don't want to use Siri for e-commerce, you'll be able to turn that feature off like any other iPhone feature. Like most features on the iPhone, you'll pick and chose what works for you.
Posted by crossy - Fri 20 Jan 2012 15:39
MonkeyMo
Why are so many not getting what was actually covered in the report you link to? Don't people read anymore? Siri powered car? Really? Not. It's about using your iphone hands free in the car, which is the law in many countries. If you don't want to use Siri for e-commerce, you'll be able to turn that feature off like any other iPhone feature. Like most features on the iPhone, you'll pick and chose what works for you.
Maybe you should take your own advice and read the article linked to!? :p

It clearly says that there's a possibility of a Siri client being the hub that controls not only the car's satnav, but also music selection. And given the pace set by high end manufacturers like Mercedes it's not beyond the bounds of reason that other, non safety-related, features like climate control will also be added. So if this implementation of Siri requires a data connection, and you lose that data connection, then it clear that you'll lose that functionality. Not a life threat in itself, unless it forces a poor driver to start fumbling with a touch interface that perhaps he's not familiar with. Given Apple's “smarts” though I doubt very much that they haven't/won't take this into account.

Being totally contrary for a moment, it's not inconceivable that this Siri-commmerce feature becomes the “preferred” option. So yes, there will undoubtedly be a fallback for refuseniks, but perhaps that will be severely feature limited? We're crystal ball gazing remember, so anything's possible.

And before you cast me as “anti-Apple” I'm not - Siri IS undoubtedly a good achievement and one worth celebrating. Heck, if nothing else it convinced me to slap a copy of Vlingo on my Android phone - and while I don't really use the voice recognition features, I've come to love the ability to have a natural language (ish) voice reading out my text messages.

Parting shot - I'd prefer that car manufacturers continue to push Bluetooth integration, rather than some proprietary schema that suits one manufacturer's products alone. ATM a “Siri-inside” sticker on a car would be a turn-off for me, at least until that Siri client worked with the same ubiquity as Bluetooth currently does.
Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH - Fri 20 Jan 2012 15:53
Siri-ously??

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