Here's how Siri could be a combined strength with Assistant and Alexa
18 Feb 2019 9:58 AM IST
Apple acquires AI startup behind Alexa, Google Assistant-based apps.
Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, told German newspaper Tagesspiegel her watchdog would examine if there were parallels with Google, which in 2017 was fined over 2 billion euros for unfairly disadvantaging rivals on its platform.
Apple is pulling up its socks in the AI race and as part of its latest efforts, the iPhone maker has acquired a San Francisco-based AI startup called Pullstring.
The startup helps companies design and publish voice-based apps which leverage existing voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant. According to Axios, Pullstring may help Apple’s Siri better compete with Alexa.
Pullstring was founded in 2011 by a group of ex Pixar executives and was used originally to power interactive voice apps for toys, including Hello Barbie in 2015.
The startup later broadened its service with the introduction of IoT-enabled gadgets such as Amazon Echo and Google Assistant. The value of the deal between Apple and Pullstring is unknown.
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