Posts tagged Siri
The iPad; did Steve Jobs start working on it in the 80s?
Oct 3rd
It’s almost been a year since Steve Jobs passed away and yet his legacy will surly live on for centuries to come, and debates over his unprecedented foresight will be the topic of many articles to come. One particular talk he gave back in 1983 at the Center for Design Innovation has received a lot of interest.
That specific talk compromised a ton variety of topics that ranged from wireless computing to the project that would become Google StreetView. Yet, an intriguing new discovery of an original cassette tape of that speech has added a spicy spin plus an additional 30 minutes or so of Q&A after the actual main talk.
The topics discussed are quite mesmerizing. One of which was computer networking; a notion that would lead to the App Store, and better yet, this notion would lead to the discovery that Apple has started creative work on the well-recognized iPad- yes 27 years prior to its release.
Steve was inquired as to how computers would all work together, and he gave glimpses of the inevitability of a universal networking standard that allows them all to communicate.
Here are a few of the most memorable things Steve mentioned in this amazing talk:
The personal computer is tackled as being a new medium of communication. Bear in mind, this was in a time when networking was not yet conventional nor was the Internet as widespread as it is now. Still, Steve talks in grave precision about early e-mail systems and how it reframes communication. He states, back in 1983, the idea of walking around anywhere and receiving e-mails; 20 years ahead of the mobile computing.
An experiment done by MIT is mentioned, one that resonates a lot like the Google StreetView application.
Early networking is discussed and the problems of different protocols that existed then. He gave predictions about solving the networking problems at the office and at home, giving an estimated of 5 years for the former and 10-15 years for the latter. He was spot on.
An early Apple strategy is put forth and discussed, stating that it is Apple’s mission to “put an incredibly great computer in a book that you can carry around with you that you can learn how to use in 20 minutes”. Oh, can you relate this to anything you are using today? We bet you do, and oh they also wanted to do so with a “radio link” to ensure people would not be required to hook it up to anything to communicate with “larger databases” and other computers. Insightful!
A question is raised, just at the end of the Q&A session, around the voice recognition, a notion that was about a decade away from realization. When linking Siri to his talk that day, it’s insightful to hear what Steve had to say about that technology then and there; he mentioned the difficulty he faced of recognizing language vs voice since language is contextually driven.
So finally, here is the recording of the talk from the 1983 IDCA. The formerly unavailable Q&A session begins at around 21:30 of the recording. Please be noted that the majority of the questions posed by the audience are incomprehensible, yet Jobs’ responses give meaning to them.
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Google I/O; everything you need to know!
Jun 28th
We’re pretty sure you remember in April, when Google introduced its spectacular Google Glasses and every one of us had to double check it wasn’t just one of its April Fools fibs.
Yesterday, at the official Google I/O kick start, a brilliantly fantastic demonstration of the concept blew everyone’s socks away. If you haven’t already seen the video, we highly recommend you do; skydivers were tossed out of an airplane onto the roof of the conference center. All this was available live on Google’s very own social network video chat service; Hangout.
Here is an edited version of the toss and turn and hangout with some music from the “We Were Promised Jetpacks”
Google co-founder, Sergey Brin, announced that I/O attendees could pre-order a prototype Project Glass testing unit for $1,500 if they wanted to live “on the bleeding edge.” Testing units will be delivered “early next year.” No further details on a consumer launch were announced though.
Now moving on to the actual conference; we shall attempt to recap all you need to know from yesterday’s day 1 coverage.
1. Nexus 7 tablet: Tablet lovers rejoiced yesterday when Google released its very first tablet. It’s clear that the Nexus 7 targets to take down the Amazon market that is swamps with the Kindle fire; yet Google seem to have taken everything to the next level. For starters, the tablet runs on Android 4.1 with an interface resembling that of the Galaxy Nexus, yet with super large icons and new media enhanced widgets that clearly remind us of the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet. The specs are quite incredible for such a 7-inch tablet; a quad core Tegra 3 processor, 1 GB of RAM and a beautiful 1280×800 pixel screen. Saving the best for last; it very well priced at just $200 for the 8 GB version and $250 for the 16GB. If you are already excited about it, you can order it now and it starts shipping in approximately mid July. (Check out our top 5 Andoid tablets for this month)
2. Google Play revamped: In attempts to amplify the content that is being sold on the Nexus 7 tablet, the Google Play store now sells magazines, TV shows, and movies as well as its already existing content of music, books and many apps. A”Google Magazines” app can now be downloaded by the Android users; an app that basically sells subscriptions to magazines and individual issues. The YouTube video app is also commercialized with its ability to sell episodes and entire seasons of your favorite TV show and movies; previously it was more of a rental shop.
3. Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean): Last December, the Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) was released but in the Tech world it’s already more than yesterday’s news. The new Jelly Bean is not mind blowing, yet it comes in with a lot of small improvements and owing to “Project Butter”, it ought to run more smoothly even on devices. Some of these enhancements include more robust notifications, an easier approach to customize home screens, enabled offline voice typing, and a a loud and clear competitor to Siri “Google Now”; we cannot wait to test drive it, but from the looks of things, Siri will be left crying with this more accurate assistant that analyzes the history of your behavior for better results.
4. Nexus Q social streaming media player: If you have an interest in peculiar gadgets then the Nexus Q will surly grab your undivided attention; designed like a ball and colored in black, it comes with an ARM processor and a multicolored light up strip around it. Let’s say it this way; it resembles a tiny Death Star with an illuminating weakness trench, hmm maybe better yet, a Thermal Detonator? Well, enough with the Star Wars references; basically this device is designed to function by connecting it to all of your other devices. With this new gadget, you will be able to connect your Android phones as well as tablets (those that run on Android 4.1) onto the Nexus Q and you will be able to enjoy their content on television screen, your computer, or better yet your surround system. The price tag is $300 and is available for orders right not with an estimated arrival date of two to three weeks.
5. Google+ Events: Facebook prepare to be struck by the G thunder cloud yet again, with the G+ Events this time. Now, we will be able to schedule times, dates and events in G+ (as well as Google Calendar). Party planning will be even cooler now with the “Party mode” feature that allows everyone attending a particular party to automatically upload their pictures to that G+ event page.
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Everything you need to know about Apples WWDC 2012
Jun 12th
Whether you like Apple or not, when they hold an event, you know they are not ones to disappoint, and Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference 2012 (WWDC) was no exception.
When their online store was temporarily unavailable, we instantly knew that something new was cooking in the oven.
Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, welcomed the eager crowd with absolute wit stating:
“I’m waiting for the new Samsung,” she said. “No, not the phone, the refrigerator. Hubba hubba.”
Let us review the major updates that have been revealed yesterday:
1) Mac Book Air
The Macbook Air 11” & 13” models were the first ones to be tackled in the conference. For those of you who were excited about the circulating rumors about the high resolution Retina display, we’re sure you were disappointed when those turned out to be mere rumors after all, yet a power bump with Intel’s new 3rd generation Ivy Bridge processor, is not a bad compensation especially for to tackle games and videos.
The MacBook Air features flash storage up to four times faster than traditional hard drives for instant-on performance and fast access to your apps and data. Now with 4GB of faster memory, configurable up to 8GB, you can run memory-intensive apps with ease. MacBook Air also features a new FaceTime(R) HD camera that delivers high-definition 720p. Prices start at $1029 and $1229 respectively.
2) MacBook Pro 
The MacBook Pro line was also visited by the makeover team.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro is available with a 2.5 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of memory and 500GB hard drive starting at $1,199 (US), and with a 2.9 GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of memory and 750GB hard drive starting at $1,499 (US).
The 15” model also had a refreshing, again with Ivy Bridge processors up to 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (also 3.6GHz with Turbo Boost). Graphics have been boosted to Intel HD Graphics 4000 and discrete graphics are provides by the next generation NVIDIA GeForce GT650M based on the new Kepler architecture, and finally a 500GB hard drive starting at $1,799 (US).
3) MacBook Pro with Retina Display
Initially, everyone was in despair when a Retina display was nowhere to be found on any of the models, however, Apple never leaves anyone hanging; putting aside all the updates received by the MacBook Pro, Apple introduced us to yet another new product judiciously named the MacBook Pro with Retina display.
While it is undoubtedly alluring, it is somewhat reminiscent of the MacBook Air. It measures only 0.71 inches; 25% less than the current 15” model. It’s the lightest “Pro” notebook ever made, Apple says, weighing in at 4.46 lbs.
The high contrast and glossy but reduced glare display offers a density of 2880 x 1800, that’s 5.184 million pixels at 220PPI. (Compared to 1440×900). It offers the same processors and graphics as the updated 15” model, but will allow up to 16GB of 1600MHz RAM and 768GB of Flash-only storage. It also features 2 Thunderbolt ports, HDMI, USB 3.0, SD card slot as well as the new MagSafe 2 connector. It still manages to carry a 7-hour battery.
Gigabit Ethernet and Firewire 800 are still supported with optional adapters. The Super Drive has been removed and is now only available as a $79 external option. Pricing starts at $2,229.
4) Free Update to Mountain Lion
As for Mountain Lion, the next version of Apple’s Mac operating system now has a firmer ship date—it will arrive in July. When Apple previewed Mountain Lion back in February, it would only say to expect the update during the summer of 2012.
Mountain Lion has a price tag, too: It’ll cost $20 to update. You’ll need to run Mac OS X 10.6 or later, and updates will only be available through the Mac App Store. Buy one of Apple’s new laptops, however, and you can upgrade to Mountain Lion for free.
The new AirPort Express also comes with a ‘guest networking’ feature that allows users to set up a separate Wi-Fi network for guests, which will only provide access to the Internet. Other upgrades include two Ethernet ports – one each of LAN and WAN. Earlier, there was just one port, which could function both as LAN/WAN depending on the configuration.
Like its predecessor, the new Airport Express comes with integrated AirPlay and a USB port that can be used to attach a compatible printer. It can be setup via iOS, PC or Mac.
The new AirPort Express is available in Apple stores for an unchanged price of $99.
What were your thoughts on the conference? Do let us know and leave a comment.
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Siri Cracked! Now can be used on any Android or iPad
Nov 15th
Since the iPhone 4s has been released, the guys over at Applidium have been trying to find out the inner workings of it. Today, they have managed to crack open Siri’s protocol, making it possible for anyone to write an Android application that can use Siri’s Voice recognition technology or port it to an Ipad.
The team explains how Siri works and provides examples and code on how to make use of it. We will be expecting lots of Siri Android apps really soon.
Learn More at: http://applidium.com/en/news/cracking_siri/
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iPhone 4s… Do I want it?
Oct 25th
Yes… The iPhone 4s has become somewhat of an iconic phone in the smartphone world. One might argue that some of the competing Android phones simply look better than the iPhone on paper. However, specs are not everything. The iPhone’s usability and easy to use operating system, iOS5 ,just makes it so easy to fall in love with the phone. On top of that the phone looks the part, the stylish glass and metal combination gives the phone a very cool look that looks better than any other smartphone in the market.
Siri. The intelligent virtual assistant is also a very cool feature that apple has included in the iPhone4s, the technology incorporated into Siri makes it different than other voice command pieces of software currently on phones. Siri not only can understand commands better but it also progressively learns and gets used to your voice.
Camera. The camera on the iPhone 4s has been optimized and offers better camera specs than any of the previous iPhones. While some of the Android camera’s might score better an camera picture and video quality than the iPhone 4s, the camera still performs better than its predecessors. And if the camera is not that important to you then it shouldn’t affect your decision.
Processor. Faster is better, the A5 chip in the iPhone 4s is the same chip in the iPad 2 and it boosts the performance of the phone making it faster and much more powerful.
Phone Antenna. The iPhone 4s has a newly designed sensor that eliminates the “grip of death” problem that the iPhone 4 had where the phone loses signal and drops calls when held in a certain way.
Pricing. as for pricing and availability. Well, the iPhone 4S is selling for $200, $300, and $400 for the 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB versions, respectively. The iPhone 4 is still around, with an 8GB version selling for $100.
Iris Vs. Siri
Oct 18th
IRIS or “Intelligent Rival Imitator of Siri” is a project developed in 8 hours to challenge the iPhone 4S’s virtual assistant Siri. Created to run on the android and blackberry devices this project lacks the deep integration with the phone that Siri has. However it does has many of the same characteristics and responsiveness, enough to make us think that there will be something very similar to Siri on Android phones pretty soon.
Read more on this at: http://www.thinq.co.uk/2011/10/18/iris-created-eight-hours-challenge-siri/
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Can I use Siri on My iPhone 4?
Oct 16th
Were you disappointed that you can’t have Siri on your iPhone 4?
Then we have some good news as it seems a hacker has been able to port Siri to the iPhone 4. Although in the video it seems a bit choppy and crashed once, it’s still a big win for anybody who wants to try out Siri before making a decision to buy an iPhone 4s.
Read more about this at: http://www.iphonehacks.com/2011/10/iphone-4-siri.html
On Facebook all the time?
Zoolz is the first Facebook Social Data Protection App. With Zoolz you can protect, access and stream your files, photos, music and videos directly from the cloud. Follow us on twitter to get an early preview
Follow @Zoolzcloud