Siri

Apple is now squaring off against another legal adversary in China.

The iPhone maker appeared today at a Shanghai court hearing for a case in which it's accused of copying the voice-recognition software used for Siri, AFP reported.

Shanghai-based Zhizhen Network Technology has charged Apple with patent infringement, claiming that it holds the rights to the software in question.

Zhizhen says it patented its "Xiao i Robot" software, which is a "type of instant messaging chat bot system," back in 2004. Siri was developed in 2007. Apple bought the technology in 2010 and unveiled it … Read more

The U.S. federal judge presiding over the landmark patent suit between Apple and Samsung in Northern California said today that a second Apple patent suit against Samsung -- involving Apple's Siri technology -- can go forward.

Apple won a $1.05 billion verdict against Samsung last year in a San Jose, Calif., trial, but U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh rejected the iPhone maker's request for a permanent injunction against sales of offending Samsung devices. A separate suit filed by Apple accuses Samsung of violating a group of patents, including one related to Siri voice search technology. … Read more

Ferrari is in negotiations to expand its in-car entertainment partnership with Apple, the luxury-car maker's chairman revealed today as the company unveiled a car with Siri and two iPad Minis.

The companies will be "more precise" about their partnership in the coming months, Luca Cordero Di Montezemolo said today at the Geneva International Motor Show, according to a Bloomberg account of his comments. CNET has contacted Apple for more comment and will update this report when we learn more.

The partnership apparently began last November when Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president for Internet software and … Read more

A U.S. federal judge presiding over the landmark patent lawsuit between Apple and Samsung may postpone a second Apple patent suit against Samsung until an appeals court renders a decision on the first.

Apple won a $1.05 billion verdict against Samsung last year in a San Jose, Calif., trial, but U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh rejected the iPhone maker's request for a permanent injunction against sales of offending Samsung devices. A separate lawsuit filed by Apple accuses Samsung of violating a group of patents, including one related to Siri voice search technology.

That second case is … Read more

Finally, we'll soon be able to yell at our television screens and have them respond... if the rumors about the Xbox 720 including a voice control feature similar to Apple's Siri are true.

Yesterday came word that the next-generation Xbox from Microsoft would update Kinect and require a constant Internet connection to function. Such integrated broadband dependence could have something to do with a report from the Verge today that Microsoft's next game console could feature Siri-esque voice control. Popular voice activated personal assistants like Siri and Google Now require a connection to the cloud, where the voice recognition and processing is actually performed. … Read more

Automaker Honda today said it plans to integrate Apple's Siri voice assistant in some of its upcoming Honda and Acura vehicles.

On the list is the 2013 Honda Accord, and two Acura models, the 2013 RDX and ILX.

The feature in question is Siri's "Eyes Free" mode, a way to use Apple's iOS voice assistant without having to rely on visual cues, or interact with on-screen menus. The functionality, which was introduced at last year's WWDC, works over Bluetooth and connects through Honda's HandsFreeLink setup just like other mobile phones.

From Apple's … Read more

Apple has released iOS 6.1 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users. Among other fixes and new additions is the ability to purchase movie tickets using Siri, as originally reported back in November.

Siri's new capability requires iOS 6.1, the Fandango app to be installed on the iOS device, and you'll also need to be in the U.S. to purchase tickets.

Once you have updated your device and have Fandango installed, buying tickets is as simple as launching Siri and asking for tickets to a specific movie time, or asking for a list of movies … Read more

Amazon has acquired text-to-speech technology provider Ivona Software for an undisclosed amount, broadening its in-house capabilities as the Internet retailer continues to push its tablet business.

The two companies have collaborated in the past, Amazon noted, with Ivona's technology powering the text-to-speech, voice guide, and explore-by-touch features on Kindle Fire tablets.

In addition, Poland-based Ivona delivers text-to-speech products and services to thousands of developers, businesses, and customers around the world. It offers voice and language portfolios with 44 voices in 17 languages, and it's developing even more.

Amazon has been expanding its tablet business to take on companies … Read more