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Apple Expanding Boston-Based Research Team Working on Siri Speech Recognition

Monday September 8, 2014 1:17 pm PDT by Eric Slivka
siri_ios_7_iconLast year, we highlighted a profile of Apple's Boston-area speech technology team speculated to be working on enhancements to Siri. The group's efforts appear to have been ramping up since that time, with a June report claiming Apple is seeking to eventually move away from the Nuance-powered system currently used for Siri.

Apple's team in Cambridge appears to still be growing, with BetaBoston reporting Apple has leased 13,000 square feet of new space to house the team.
Several commercial realtors tell me that the Cupertino company has leased more than half a floor at One Broadway, an MIT-owned building that also houses Facebook’s small local team, several venture capital firms, and the Cambridge Innovation Center. The new office, about 13,000 square feet on one of the building’s upper floors, is a major expansion for Apple, which currently has a small team on the building’s fifth floor.
Earlier reports had noted Apple's recruitment of several former Nuance employees for the team, and BetaBoston reports Apple has recently added members from Amazon, research and development firm BBN Technologies, and data management firm Actifio.

Apple has reportedly not yet begin building out its new space in Cambridge, but it could house up to 65 employees once completed.

[ 62 comments ]


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JonneyGee
59 months ago
Here's hoping it won't mean Siri talks like someone from Boston…
Rating: 22 Votes
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Morgan Freeman
59 months ago
Siri needs a lot of improvements.... in every way
Rating: 15 Votes
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ChrisCW11
59 months ago
Really, nobody sees the irony in all this.

I wouldn't get anybody in Boston to work on speech recognition technology. That is probably why Siri can't understand what the rest of us are talking about.

"Siri, where can I find the best chowder?"

Siri: I'm sorry, but I cannot understand what you are saying.

"Where can I find really good chowder nearby?"

Siri: I'm sorry, I am still having trouble understanding you.

"WAH IS SOME WICKED CHOWDAH?"

Siri: Drive 2 blocks east and turn left, your destination will be on the right.
Rating: 13 Votes
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Teste
59 months ago
Too bad Siri is still an useless gimmick perpetually stuck in beta. I mean, having to access the internet to set a reminder on my phone? WTF?
Rating: 12 Votes
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cesjr
59 months ago
Even the most hardcore Apple fan must admit Siri's "voice" sounds like garbage compared to Google Now and Microsoft's Cortana. Hoping for improvements all around.
Rating: 11 Votes
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DarkCole
59 months ago
Am I the only one that doesn't have an issue with Siri? Sure it's not perfect all the time, but normally it's accurate for me. I use Siri regularly, and it's been a benefit to my productivity.

Of course the more work being done to Siri the better!
Rating: 11 Votes
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Gasu E.
59 months ago

Here's hoping it won't mean Siri talks like someone from Boston…


Could be worse, MR. NASHVILLE. :D
Rating: 8 Votes
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Gasu E.
59 months ago
Thank goodness fuh that, Siri nevuh seems to have any idear of whut I'm tawkin about.
Rating: 8 Votes
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javco
59 months ago
With the Apple-IBM alliance SIRI could be powered by Watson

With the Apple-IBM alliance SIRI could be powered by Watson. http://www.ibm.com/smarterplanet/us/en/ibmwatson/ that will be awesome. :eek:
Rating: 7 Votes
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taptic
59 months ago

Siri needs a lot of improvements.... in every way


iOS 8 siri is pretty darn good...
Rating: 5 Votes

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