Nuance, a speech recognition company that powers Apple’s Siri service, has launched a new voice-controlled platform for television sets called Dragon TV. The service allows you to navigate your way around different content by “speaking channel numbers, station names, show and movie names” using natural language.
It’s everything you’d expect a Siri-powered Apple TV to be.
With Dragon TV, you won’t be restricted to structured commands, and like the Siri service in the iPhone 4S, you’ll be able to use natural language to control your set. Nuance lists a number of examples in its press release, such as, “Go to PBS,” “What’s on Bravo at 9 p.m. tonight?” and “Find comedies with Vince Vaughn.”
The platform also offers access to social networking services like Twitter, Skype, and Facebook.
While the service may allow manufacturers to compete with an upcoming Siri-powered Apple TV, it could also be the engine that drives Apple’s set. TechCrunch reports:
Dragon TV would be an alternative to a completely integrated solution, as it would allow anyone to build in Siri-like voice technology into TV sets, DVRs and other set-top boxes. However, it could easily form the backbone of whatever Apple may have in store for its “iTV” product, too.
Dragon TV will be made available to manufacturers who choose to integrate the technology into their television sets, set-top boxes, remotes, and other products. At present, however, it seems Nuance is yet to find a launch partner. The service will also be coming as an app to iOS, Android, and Linux.
[via TechCrunch]
