‘Emotional AI’ For Cars, Apple’s New AirPods and Google’s Smart Home Streaming
This week’s most important news from the world of Conversational AI
A new voice for Cortana
We don’t hear often about Microsoft’s Cortana, but this week it made it to the news — all thanks to a leaked video posted on Twitter by user @h0x0d. Later this year Microsoft’s digital assistant will supposedly get a set of new features, including a male voice option and an integration with the Outlook app on iOS, which enables Cortana to go over your new emails with a new “Play My Emails” feature.
Personalization Bixby
At the Samsung Developer Conference this week, executive vice president of R&D Eui-Suk Chung said that Bixby voice assistant can be accessed on over 160 million Samsung devices, while its developer community has doubled over the last year. Samsung is also adjusting its platform to deliver a more personalized experience so that users can pick their favorite capsules (Bixby’s skills) and services. Bixby can ask users about their preferences during conversations about capsules, which makes it easier for them to launch third-party capsules as if they are native.
Google’s smart home streaming
Starting next week, owners of Google Home and Nest Mini devices will be able to control SiriusXM channels with Google Assistant. This function will roll out in the U.S. and Canada first — first in English and later in Canadian French.
Premium AirPods
Now it’s official: new AirPods Pro feature noise cancellation and hands-free access to Siri. Simply say “Hey Siri” and the assistant will perform its usual functions, like making a phone call or putting the music on. They also come with the $249 price tag.
AI Ex Machina
Cars will soon be able to read drivers: researchers at SRI International have developed a new Emotional AI technology, which can detect visual clues in drivers’ behavior and proactively respond in order to improve driver safety.
