If Apple wants the world to love Siri’s new AI upgrade, it will need more than Google Gemini’s smarts. Siri will need a cute face.
I spent a week at the massive international tech showcase known as CES, and I’ve noticed a number of trends and accessories that could shape the future of Apple products — dare I say, for the better. And one of those trends I couldn’t escape is that all AI assistants now seem to come with an adorable animated face. And I realized, I don’t mind if my tech looks like it belongs in a Pixar movie.
So this week’s episode of One More Thing, embedded above, I go through what products from CES I’d like to see influence the iPhone designers at Cupertino.
The Keyi Loona Deskmate is the perfect example of where Apple can blend its work on robotics and AI assistants, turning your iPhone stand and screen into an assistant that animates with personality.
There was also a small coin-sized disc called the Isaac (how could Apple ignore a name like that) that might just help the Apple Watch get closer to its goals of a prick-less system of measuring blood glucose levels.
Apple is no stranger to using partnerships and acquisitions to make an evolutionary leap forward. Apple reportedly spent $200 million to buy Siri back in 2010. And now Apple is estimated to be paying Google as much as $5 billion over time to improve Siri, with a custom version of the Gemini AI program.
But not all evolutions can be bought. A number of products I saw seem to come from a push to get away from iPhone screens. Some accessories and wearable sensors were marketed as a way to become more mindful and less doomscroll.
That included the Clicks Communicator as a secondary, smaller phone with a physical QWERTY keyboard, keeping you focused on answering messages. Will Apple ever give customers the option to go with a more simplistic iPhone or iPod design?
I also was in awe of the Dreamie, a bedside smart clock and lamp that doesn’t use an app and gives your mind something to listen to or stream without turning to social media. Could the next Homepod track sleep with soft lighting and push away the drive for late-night scrolling?
But if that feels too far out into the future (or an unlikely return to the past), there are some neat things happening now. Like the Liquid Canvas art app that makes it easy for the Apple TV (or other connected TVs) to showcase art or become a shared photo frame across families. But hey, Apple could add that feature in the rumored future Apple TV... just saying.
For more One More Thing, subscribe to our YouTube page to catch Bridget Carey breaking down the latest Apple news and issues every Friday.
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