HomePod gains multi-user support, ambient noise generator, live radio this fall

The HomePod is gaining a number of new features later this year via software updates, including support for recognizing up to six different voices and personalizing the experience, radio stations, and a collection of ambient sounds.

Malcolm Owen 6 years ago 16

Leaked Apple document says new Siri device is coming by fall 2021

Leaked documents relating to Siri reveal upgrades to the digital assistant are coming in late 2021, aimed at supporting a new piece of hardware.

Malcolm Owen 6 years ago 33

Apple announces plans to improve Siri's privacy protections for users

Apple's review of Siri privacy guarantees has completed, and the company is making a few changes going forward to further ensure users' privacy and data safety.

Mike Wuerthele 6 years ago 24

Laid off Apple contractors listened to 1,000 Siri recordings per shift

Workers employed in Ireland to monitor and grade Siri recordings for Apple have now lost their jobs, as listening to Siri recordings stops.

William Gallagher 6 years ago 24

Ex-Apple Siri chief Bill Stasior now a Microsoft vice president of technology

Apple's one-time head of Siri development Bill Stasior has left Apple, and is going to be one of Microsoft's vice presidents of technology.

Mike Wuerthele 6 years ago 14

Philips WiZ Connected Wi-Fi smart bulbs support Siri Shortcuts

Philips has launched a new set of smart light bulbs under Signify's WiZ Connected ecosystem, one that works differently from the manufacturer's existing Hue range in that they connect directly with Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for an intermediary hub.

Malcolm Owen 6 years ago 7

First class action suit alleging damages from Siri recordings filed

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Apple in regards to Siri quality control program recordings, alleging that the filer who may or may not have been recorded has been damaged by Apple's doing so, and that Apple never disclosed that recordings may be retained.

Amber Neely 6 years ago 21

How to delete all of the Siri recordings that Apple may have of you on Mac or iOS

There is a way to delete the anonymized Siri recordings that Apple may have on file for you, but there are some consequences for doing so.

Mike Wuerthele 6 years ago 35

Amazon, Google follow Apple's lead on voice assistant review policies

Following Apple's decision to temporarily halt Siri grading as it evaluates the program's privacy safeguards, Amazon and Google this week followed suit and updated their respective policies on human reviews of recorded voice assistant audio.

Mikey Campbell 6 years ago 24

Podcast

Apple listens to Siri, Apple's $53.8B quarter & more on the AppleInsider Podcast

Victor Marks 6 years ago 0

Apple suspends Siri quality control program, will let users opt out in update

Apple has temporarily suspended its Siri quality control program after a Guardian expose last week claimed private contractors are privy to "highly sensitive recordings," revelations that immediately raised the brows of privacy advocates.

Mikey Campbell 6 years ago 35

Siri 'whistleblower' details drug deals & sex heard during manual reviews

A 'whistleblower' has taken issue with Apple's lack of disclosure that it has contractors listening to anonymized Siri queries — but the company has said all along that it does.

Mike Wuerthele and Malcolm Owen 6 years ago 74

Apple's Siri is the first of four lawsuit targets over voice recognition technology

Apple's Siri has become the subject of a lawsuit from Parus Holdings, alleging the virtual assistant infringes on a pair of patents relating to the use of voice to browse for data, with practically all major products from the iPhone producer in the firing line in the legal action.

Malcolm Owen 6 years ago 12

'SiriOS' predicted for 2020 WWDC - here's what it might be

Apple should produce a "SiriOS," a report into voice recognition and digital assistants by Mangrove Capital Partners suggests, but while the firm is certain the "voice community" expects it to be revealed by 2020, there is little detail on what it could be.

Malcolm Owen 6 years ago 57

Google Assistant voice recordings reviewed by humans include private conversations

Some voice snippets uploaded by Google Assistant are being reviewed by human contractors, as with Amazon Alexa, and can potentially include sensitive conversations, reports say.

Roger Fingas 6 years ago 33

Load More