Apple acquires AI startup Voysis in order to improve Siri

It looks like Apple is not resting on its laurels when it comes to its digital assistant Siri. According to a report by Bloomberg, the Cupertino-based company has acquired Voysis, an Irish company that aims to make it easier for computer systems to understand natural language. The report does not mention the financials behind the deal but it does quote an Apple spokesperson saying that the company “buys smaller technology companies from time to time and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.”

As per the report, Voysis’ system taps into Wavenets, which is an AI-based method for creating computer speed that sounds more natural. The company’s webpage (now removed) stated that it was said to be able to convert a database to artificial intelligence that users can talk to. This system could prove invaluable for certain companies and apps. 

This isn’t the only recent acquisition by Apple. The company recently bought Dark Sky, a popular weather app on iOS and Android. With that set, it also pulled the plug on the Android and WearOS versions of the same. The report also notes that it will cease support for websites that had embedded the data on their pages. It is not yet known how Apple plans to use Dark Sky’s, but will most likely cherry-pick pieces that will be integrated into its own Weather app. The new features might be introduced in iOS 14, which is the next version of the iOS platform. Apple generally unveiled the new OS at WWDC events that are held in June, but due to the ongoing COVID-19 Coronavirus, this year’s event will be an online-only event.

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