X

Apple to buy AI voice startup PullString, report says

It's the same technology that helps power apps on Alexa and Google Home Assistant

Laura Hautala Former Senior Writer
Laura wrote about e-commerce and Amazon, and she occasionally covered cool science topics. Previously, she broke down cybersecurity and privacy issues for CNET readers. Laura is based in Tacoma, Washington, and was into sourdough before the pandemic.
Expertise E-commerce, Amazon, earned wage access, online marketplaces, direct to consumer, unions, labor and employment, supply chain, cybersecurity, privacy, stalkerware, hacking. Credentials
  • 2022 Eddie Award for a single article in consumer technology
Laura Hautala
apple-wwdc-2017-craig-federighi-siri-3645

Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, stands onstage under a screen showing the imagery iconic to Apple's Siri app.

James Martin/CNET

It seems Apple wants to get you talking. The company reportedly agreed to buy PullString, a startup that develops voice recognition apps, according to a report by Axios on Friday.

The deal is worth at least $30 million, according to Axios, and could help Apple's Siri compete with other voice-activated services on the market. PullString develops voice-enabled apps that run on the Alexa and Google Home Assistant platforms. Its software also powers Hello Barbie, the talking version of Mattel's doll that can have conversations with children.

Watch this: Saying hello to Hello Barbie

Apple and PullString didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.