I'm not so sure that Apple is playing the game differently. At least not differently to Google. Google has had some AI elements on their Pixel phones for a few years now that do things like using Google Assistant for voice to text - and all on the device. At the Pixel 8 series launch event back in October they outlined these additional features in an event dominated by its focus on AI:
- **Assistant with Bard**
- It can hear, it can speak, it can see and it can take actions
- Ask it to give you a rundown on your inbox
- Ask it how long it will take to get to a destination
- And can still use classic assistant features like speaking out a text to someone
- Example shown of really specific request for grocery list for 10 people heavy on smoothies etc
- Ask for recommendations, build an itinerary, and more
- Also shows a hiking path with a fork to go in two different directions - take a photo and Bard shares the best path to take
- Assistant with Bard rolling out soon to selected testers
Apple's approach to AI is different in that they aren't rushing to deploy any AI advancements as most companies are doing nowadays, which will lead to trust and avoid early disappointment. They are also quite private about it which is respectful in the era when every company is loud even about their tiniest LLM improvements. Owning hardware and software and a lot of data (definitely not as much as Google of Meta, but still lots to train laser-focused LLMs) will give them a competitive advantage in the long run and make them quite different.
Next year I forsee a year where big tech will step on the gas to build and sell (or give away) as much hardware as possible. We are seeing it with Meta RayBan glasses, AI Pin, and more mobile devices, this is an area where other tech behemoths lag against apple.
I definitely agree with you on next year and the big tech entities stepping on the gas. I'm fascinated with seeing what sort of new device types we'll see, Personally I don't want glasses or a headset. I was finger on the button to pre-order the Humane AI Pin and just couldn't do it, because I think there will be similar devices that address a few of its flaws. I can't recall who said this a few months ago, but I agree with them that voice is probably going to be and remain the best way to interact with AI for at least a little while - for that I really love Inflexion's Pi on my phone right now.
I know Apple has an incredible history, and they've taken a patient approach before and had great success. I just don't see them doing that in AI in the near term. I think even just Siri vs Google Assistant shows which company has put more into AI on their phones and DeepMind seems to be considered a decent competitor for OpenAI.
I'm not so sure that Apple is playing the game differently. At least not differently to Google. Google has had some AI elements on their Pixel phones for a few years now that do things like using Google Assistant for voice to text - and all on the device. At the Pixel 8 series launch event back in October they outlined these additional features in an event dominated by its focus on AI:
- **Assistant with Bard**
- It can hear, it can speak, it can see and it can take actions
- Ask it to give you a rundown on your inbox
- Ask it how long it will take to get to a destination
- And can still use classic assistant features like speaking out a text to someone
- Example shown of really specific request for grocery list for 10 people heavy on smoothies etc
- Ask for recommendations, build an itinerary, and more
- Also shows a hiking path with a fork to go in two different directions - take a photo and Bard shares the best path to take
- Assistant with Bard rolling out soon to selected testers
- *Right on the device*
Great points as always, thanks for commenting.
Apple's approach to AI is different in that they aren't rushing to deploy any AI advancements as most companies are doing nowadays, which will lead to trust and avoid early disappointment. They are also quite private about it which is respectful in the era when every company is loud even about their tiniest LLM improvements. Owning hardware and software and a lot of data (definitely not as much as Google of Meta, but still lots to train laser-focused LLMs) will give them a competitive advantage in the long run and make them quite different.
Next year I forsee a year where big tech will step on the gas to build and sell (or give away) as much hardware as possible. We are seeing it with Meta RayBan glasses, AI Pin, and more mobile devices, this is an area where other tech behemoths lag against apple.
What do you think?
I definitely agree with you on next year and the big tech entities stepping on the gas. I'm fascinated with seeing what sort of new device types we'll see, Personally I don't want glasses or a headset. I was finger on the button to pre-order the Humane AI Pin and just couldn't do it, because I think there will be similar devices that address a few of its flaws. I can't recall who said this a few months ago, but I agree with them that voice is probably going to be and remain the best way to interact with AI for at least a little while - for that I really love Inflexion's Pi on my phone right now.
I know Apple has an incredible history, and they've taken a patient approach before and had great success. I just don't see them doing that in AI in the near term. I think even just Siri vs Google Assistant shows which company has put more into AI on their phones and DeepMind seems to be considered a decent competitor for OpenAI.
It's going to be a fun next 12 months for sure