It looks like Amazon may be looking to take on Apple’s Siri with its own voice recognition system. According to a recent report, Amazon has recently acquired a speech recognition startup called Yap.
Amazon and Yap have yet to confirm the deal, but the Atlantic has discovered that Yap has recently merged with a company called ‘Dion Acquisition Sub’, which has its address listed as an Amazon-owned building in Seattle.
Yap is a voice mail to text-based service, which has been in private beta. It was started back in 2006, and according to the report, Amazon has recently acquired the company, although its plans for the service are still unknown.
Potential Integration with Amazon Devices
We wonder if Amazon has plans to use Yap in future versions of its Kindle Fire tablet. The Kindle Fire has been a popular device, and integrating advanced voice recognition could make it even more appealing to users. Voice recognition technology could allow users to interact with their devices more naturally, making tasks like searching for books, playing music, or even browsing the web more intuitive.
Another possibility is that Amazon could be interested in getting into the smartphone business itself. While Amazon has previously dabbled in the smartphone market with the Amazon Fire Phone, it did not achieve significant success. However, with advanced voice recognition technology from Yap, Amazon could potentially re-enter the market with a more competitive offering.
Broader Applications of Voice Recognition
Beyond tablets and smartphones, Amazon could also be interested in using Yap’s technology in future Kindle e-readers. Voice recognition could provide a new way for users to interact with their e-readers, such as by using voice commands to navigate through books or to search for specific content. This could be particularly useful for users with disabilities, making Kindle e-readers more accessible.
Moreover, Amazon’s acquisition of Yap could have implications beyond consumer devices. For instance, Amazon could integrate Yap’s technology into its Echo line of smart speakers, enhancing the capabilities of its virtual assistant, Alexa. This could help Amazon compete more effectively with other smart speaker manufacturers, such as Google and Apple.
Additionally, voice recognition technology could be used in Amazon’s various services, such as its e-commerce platform. For example, customers could use voice commands to search for products, place orders, or track shipments. This could make the shopping experience more convenient and efficient.
Furthermore, Yap’s technology could be integrated into Amazon’s cloud services, such as AWS (Amazon Web Services). This could provide developers with powerful voice recognition tools to build into their own applications, potentially opening up new opportunities for innovation.
Source The Atlantic
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