Apple’s powerful voice recognition platform is spreading its wings.
The company has filed for a patent that would allow users to essentially transfer their iPhone 4S (or other, future, iPhone that has Siri support) to their Mac, giving them access to the voice software.
Of course, the patent doesn’t actually mention names like the iPhone 4S or Mac, but it does talk about a voice-controlled software platform that processes all of its commands on a remote server, and the ability to have “a remote device communicatively coupled to [an] electronic device.”
So, spectators are making the probably, logical leap that this means Siri-powered phones could bring their technology to a desktop or laptop computer.
A recent study found that 90% of iPhone 4S owners use Siri at least once a month, making it one of the device’s most commonly used features.
According to the study, though, the most common use of Siri was to make phone calls or send text messages, simple voice commands that non-iPhone 4S owners can do with the right app.
Among the most commonly believed Siri rumors is that Apple will be launching its own branded TV set at the end of the year, and instead of needing to change channels or schedule recordings with a standard remote control, users will simply be able to speak their requests in normal human speech to the TV.
A special version of Siri, optimized for TV commands, will help users with their requests. So instead of fumbling around for the remote, users will be able to say, “Turn up the volume” or “What movies are on at 8 PM tonight?”
