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Samsung acquires Viv, a next-gen AI assistant built by creators of Apple’s Siri

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61–70 of 122 posts

Re: Samsung acquires Viv, a next-gen AI assistant built by creators of Apple’s Siri

#61
I wonder if this is part of a move by Samsung to move off of Android? In some ways that would be a shame - the only phones I have owned are Samsung Android phones, love them.

Still, Samsung is large enough to build and maintain their own stack.

Re: Samsung acquires Viv, a next-gen AI assistant built by creators of Apple’s Siri

#62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wish apple gave me a fair choice. I do prefer Google maps but i keep also using stupid apple maps because it keeps coming up.

As pointed out by another comment here [1], Google doesn't give you a "fair choice" in these things (beyond the ability to install competitors' offerings as separate apps) either: > Google's MADA agreement forbids OEMs from making anything but Google Now/Voice Search the default digital assistant on Android devices with Google Play. > Google is telling it's hardware partners for Google Home and Google Cast they're fo…

Yes, but at least on Android you can change your defaults.

On iOS, you cannot.

Re: Samsung acquires Viv, a next-gen AI assistant built by creators of Apple’s Siri

#63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Arguably, it may only have made sense for Samsung to buy Viv if Samsung is planning on ditching Google entirely. - Google's MADA agreement forbids OEMs from making anything but Google Now/Voice Search the default digital assistant on Android devices with Google Play. - Google is telling it's hardware partners for Google Home and Google Cast they're forbidden from supporting competing digital assistants. So, having Vi…

> Google ... forbids OEMs ... from supporting competing digital assistants. ~Wow, that kinda makes all the ire — including the comments on this page — directed towards Apple for its "walled garden" and "not allowing choice" seem a bit unfair.~

The end-user can still install them.

Re: Samsung acquires Viv, a next-gen AI assistant built by creators of Apple’s Siri

#64
post #9

I'm amazed that the founders didn't have some sort of non-compete agreement here. Excited that it's a more extensible digital assistant though. I think the reason why I like Alexa the most out of the services right now is that it feels like the easiest to add new functionality too. Hopefully this will pave the way for more open ai assistants.

A lot of the Siri IP belonged to Stanford SRI and Siri was basically licensing it. So when Adam left Siri and started Viv, Apple couldn't do anything. Also note that, Viv rarely talked about any details of their technology. Probably they were slightly afraid. At the same time Apple didn't want to pick a fight with a small startup and damage it's reputation. It might change now that Samsung is the owner.

Re: Samsung acquires Viv, a next-gen AI assistant built by creators of Apple’s Siri

#65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wish apple gave me a fair choice. I do prefer Google maps but i keep also using stupid apple maps because it keeps coming up.

As pointed out by another comment here [1], Google doesn't give you a "fair choice" in these things (beyond the ability to install competitors' offerings as separate apps) either: > Google's MADA agreement forbids OEMs from making anything but Google Now/Voice Search the default digital assistant on Android devices with Google Play. > Google is telling it's hardware partners for Google Home and Google Cast they're fo…

I hope the recent EU probe into this [1] would help the situation.

[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12618092

Re: Samsung acquires Viv, a next-gen AI assistant built by creators of Apple’s Siri

#68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Google ... forbids OEMs ... from supporting competing digital assistants. ~Wow, that kinda makes all the ire — including the comments on this page — directed towards Apple for its "walled garden" and "not allowing choice" seem a bit unfair.~

The end-user can still install them.

You can install other maps/browsers/assistants on iOS too, and other apps can interface with them if they want to. For example Chrome will automatically open YouTube links in the YouTube app. I agree that iOS is more restricted in that it doesn't let the user specify the default browser etc. for links from other apps, however.

Re: Samsung acquires Viv, a next-gen AI assistant built by creators of Apple’s Siri

#69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As pointed out by another comment here [1], Google doesn't give you a "fair choice" in these things (beyond the ability to install competitors' offerings as separate apps) either: > Google's MADA agreement forbids OEMs from making anything but Google Now/Voice Search the default digital assistant on Android devices with Google Play. > Google is telling it's hardware partners for Google Home and Google Cast they're fo…

Yes, but at least on Android you can change your defaults. On iOS, you cannot.

Ah yes, iOS doesn't let you do that, but third-party apps can choose to open stuff in the Chrome/YouTube/etc. apps if they want to.

Re: Samsung acquires Viv, a next-gen AI assistant built by creators of Apple’s Siri

#70
post #50

I'm just curious how the founders were able to somehow negotiate a deal to sell Siri and then go right back into the same arena and create a "better" version. How would apple or any company allow those terms?!?

They didn't just sell to Apple and immediately quit. They stayed around for some years, which is a common contract condition. You can't practically require people to not innovate after they left a company.
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