The world of consumer electronics has changed a lot over the past couple of years. And whether you like it or not, AI has become the driving agent. OpenAI kicked off a storm wiht ChatGPT, and Google weaponized it well with gemini across all its products, while an outlier like Anthropic became a hot favorite among software workers. Amazon is trying with Alexa+, but Microsoft’s attempts with Copilot backfired into a “microslop” backlash. Somewhere down the line, AI gadgets landed and mostly flopped. The biggest absence (or AI success story) was Apple. That could change in 2027, with Apple launching its own AI-powered, AirTag-sized device.
On the surface, it sounds like a recipe for failure if you look at the state of AI hardware. The Rabbit R1 was widely ridiculed not too long ago. Friend, a necklace-style AI wearable, attracted plenty of public hate.then there’s the bomb that was the Humane AI Pin, which was actually the brainchild of two well-known former Apple
Apple’s Potential AI device and Siri’s Future
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Apple is reportedly developing a small, AirTag-sized AI companion device, possibly launching in 2024, to leverage advancements in artificial intelligence and address Siri’s shortcomings. This device, coupled with Apple’s new App Intents framework and integration of Gemini, could considerably enhance the company’s AI capabilities and user experience.
The Reported AI Device: Size and Form Factor
Apple’s rumored AI device aims to be remarkably compact, approximately the size of an AirTag. this represents a departure from existing AI devices, which are typically larger and more conspicuous. The small form factor would allow for discreet integration into everyday life.
The potential for a device this size is meaningful as current AI companions are frequently enough bulky. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg reported on this development on December 15, 2023, stating Apple is working on a device that would be “worn” or “carried.” Bloomberg – Power On Newsletter
Siri’s Limitations and Apple’s Response
Siri has consistently lagged behind competitors like Google Assistant,Amazon Alexa,ChatGPT,and gemini in terms of both processing power and conversational abilities. Apple recognizes these limitations and is actively working to improve Siri’s performance.
Specifically,Siri struggles with complex tasks and integration with third-party applications. Currently, asking Siri to perform an action within another app is often unsuccessful. Apple’s App Intents framework, announced at WWDC 2023, is designed to address this issue by allowing developers to integrate their apps with Siri more seamlessly. Apple Developer News – WWDC 2023 Announcements
Gemini Integration and Enhanced AI Capabilities
Apple’s partnership with Google to integrate Gemini, Google’s advanced AI model, into its devices is a crucial step in enhancing its AI capabilities. Gemini’s reasoning and comprehension skills are expected to significantly improve Siri’s ability to understand and respond to user requests.
On February 7, 2024, apple announced that Gemini Nano will be available on iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. Apple Newsroom – Apple and Google Partner to Bring Gemini Nano to iPhone. This integration will allow for on-device processing of certain AI tasks, improving privacy and speed. The larger Gemini Pro model will be available with an Apple Intelligence subscription later this year.
App Intents: The Foundation for AI-Powered Tasks
App Intents provides a standardized way for developers to expose the functionality of their apps to Siri and other AI systems. This allows users to initiate actions within apps using natural language commands.
Such as, rather of manually opening a ride-sharing app and requesting a ride, a user could simply say, “Siri, order me a ride to the airport.” App Intents enables Siri to handle this request directly, streamlining the user experience. Apple provides detailed documentation on App Intents for developers: Apple Developer Documentation – App Intents
Potential Impact and Market Positioning
If Apple successfully delivers an AirTag-sized AI device with enhanced Siri capabilities powered by Gemini and App Intents, it could significantly disrupt the AI companion market. The combination of a discreet form factor, improved AI performance, and seamless app integration could appeal to a broad range of users.
The timing is also advantageous, as competitors are still grappling with the challenges of creating truly useful and unobtrusive AI assistants. The success of this venture will depend on Apple’s ability to deliver a compelling user experience and address the privacy concerns associated with AI-powered devices.
