Apple has recently launched a study to collect speech data from participants in its research program. Apple launched Siri Speech Study, an iOS app that allows users to voice their opinions and requests on the App Store earlier this month. Although the app is available in many markets around the world, it does not appear on the App Stores charts. It can be found under the Utilities category.
Sensor Tower data shows that the iOS app was launched in August 2009 and updated to August 2018. The app is currently available in the U.S. and Canada as well as France, Germany, France. Hong Kong, India. Ireland, Japan, Mexico. New Zealand and Taiwan. This shows the study's global reach. The app won't appear in the App Store when you search by keyword or browse through the list Apples published apps.
The Siri Speech Study app does not provide any information on the study's goals or how one could participate. It only links to a standard license agreement and displays a screen asking participants to enter their ID numbers to start.
Apple confirmed to TechCrunch that the app was only used to improve Siri's products and allows participants to give feedback directly to Apple. Apple also stated that people must be invited to participate in the study and there is no way for consumers to sign-up.
Apple is constantly improving Siri in many ways, including the app.
Apple tried in the past to find out more about Siri's mistakes by sending a small percentage of voice recordings to contractors to be manually graded and reviewed. A whistleblower informed media outlet The Guardian that they were able to listen in on some confidential information. Apple made manual review opt-in and introduced audio grading within-house shortly after. Although this type of consumer data collection is continuing, it has a different purpose than a research study.
Focus group-like studies, which combine data and human feedback, allow Apple to better understand Siri's mistakes, unlike the more generalized, wider data collection. Apple stated that Siri Speech Study app participants can provide feedback on a per-request basis. Siri could be misunderstood a question and users could then explain the question to Siri. Siri could also be triggered if the user hasn't said Hey Siri. The participant might also note that Siri on HomePod misidentified the speaker of a multi-person household.
Apple does not automatically share participants' data. This is another distinguishing feature. Instead, users can view a list with all the Siri requests they have made and choose which ones to send to Apple. Apple noted that the app does not collect or use any user data, other than the data provided directly by participants.
Apple recognizes the value of a virtual assistant who understands you.
Ex-Google A.I. employees were acquired by the company this year. Samy Bengio, a scientist, was brought in to make Siri a strong competitor to Google Assistant. Google Assistant's advanced capabilities are often a major selling point for Android phones. Alexa-powered smart speakers, which are powered by Alexa, dominate the U.S. market. They also compete with Google in global markets, including China. Apple's HomePod still has some way to go before it can catch up.
However, even with the rapid advancements in voice-based computing over recent years, virtual assistants still struggle to understand certain types of speech. Apple announced earlier this year that it would use audio clips from podcasts to improve its understanding of certain speech patterns. Assistants can also fall when multiple devices are in the home listening to voice commands from different rooms. Assistants may also make mistakes when trying distinguish between different voices of family members or trying to understand the voice of a child.
This means that there are many avenues that a speech study could explore over time, even though they are not its current focus.
The fact that Apple is conducting a Siri speech study doesn't mean anything is new. Apple has been conducting studies and evaluations in this vein for years. It is less common for Apples studies to be published on the App Store.
Apple could have released the app through its enterprise distribution process to keep the information more private, but it decided to publish it on its public marketplace. The App Stores rules are more closely followed as the research study isn't an internal-facing app that Apple employees can access.
It is unlikely that consumers will find the app by accident. The Siri Speech Study app remains hidden from public view. To find the app, you will need to have its direct link. (Thank goodness we were curious!)
