Apple acquires another AI startup focused on deep neural network generation

AppleInsider

DarwinAI, a company known for making deep neural networks smaller and more efficient, has been snapped up by Apple prior to the release AI features in iOS 18.

DarwinAI's technology could be used to bring more AI processing on-device

Given its privacy-oriented nature, it is understandable why Apple would want that power on deck. It would allow for more on-device processing, aligning with the company's ethos.

According to Bloomberg, Apple purchased the startup earlier this year, though the deal hasn't been officially announced. Many of DarwinAI's employees have joined Apple's artificial intelligence division.

As a result of the acquisition, Alexander Wong, an AI researcher from the University of Waterloo who contributed to the DarwinAI's development, has signed on as a director in Apple's AI department.

In May 2023, Apple purchased WaveOne, a California-based startup known for developing algorithms for compressing videos.

In June of the same year, Apple acquired Mira, a company that creates augmented reality headsets for other companies -- including the US military.



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mattinoz

Given the names, I guess this is the outcome they always wanted to happen.
What better name is on Apple's radar but not enough to require earlier action?

entropys

AI= the new machine learning.

danox

AI on the edge (Apples path) is the way to go however only in the first world would Google, and Microsoft think a cloud solution where everyone in theory has access to 24/7 internet/WiFi connection at speed with giant cell towers every mile, note both are weak in hardware and both particularly Google want to collect user data.

opplo

The problem with Apple and AI is that they will not take advantage of it the way they should. They are still in this 'Siri mindset' where it's a cute thing to ask a question and get an answer or have AI do some nifty little task on an iPhone.

Apple should really be taking inspiration from something like Devin, and training models to build apps end-to-end in Xcode with no coding knowledge, songs in Logic with no music production knowledge, films in Final Cut Pro X with no filmmaking knowledge.

They are squandering their true advantage (their legacy of powerful, feature-packed professional desktop software that could now be driven by AI if Apple were not so clueless).

Hey Apple: train your AI to use the mouse and cursor on macOS, and on how to use your operating system and entire suite of apps. Either that, or prepare to lose hundreds of billions in value as the tech world passes you by. WAKE UP

michelb76

opplo said:

The problem with Apple and AI is that they will not take advantage of it the way they should. They are still in this 'Siri mindset' where it's a cute thing to ask a question and get an answer or have AI do some nifty little task on an iPhone.

Apple should really be taking inspiration from something like Devin, and training models to build apps end-to-end in Xcode with no coding knowledge, songs in Logic with no music production knowledge, films in Final Cut Pro X with no filmmaking knowledge.

They are squandering their true advantage (their legacy of powerful, feature-packed professional desktop software that could now be driven by AI if Apple were not so clueless).

Hey Apple: train your AI to use the mouse and cursor on macOS, and on how to use your operating system and entire suite of apps. Either that, or prepare to lose hundreds of billions in value as the tech world passes you by. WAKE UP

We have no clue what Apple is or isn't doing/planning. Siri AI will touch every Apple device owner, while for example a pumped-up Xcode will touch far less people. Final Cut Pro is cool, but serious film makers use Avid, Apple still can't compete with that, and shouldn't. You can add AI to Pages, and touch even less people.

I'm using AI enabled products every day for text, image and video, and they are not ready for primetime. They can help, but they are nowhere close to being ready for the average consumer. I bet 99% haven't even used an AI tool yet.

I'm sure in time Apple will add AI to Logic and other apps, but it's not a business case yet.

Stabitha_Christie

opplo said:

The problem with Apple and AI is that they will not take advantage of it the way they should. They are still in this 'Siri mindset' where it's a cute thing to ask a question and get an answer or have AI do some nifty little task on an iPhone.

Apple should really be taking inspiration from something like Devin, and training models to build apps end-to-end in Xcode with no coding knowledge, songs in Logic with no music production knowledge, films in Final Cut Pro X with no filmmaking knowledge.

They are squandering their true advantage (their legacy of powerful, feature-packed professional desktop software that could now be driven by AI if Apple were not so clueless).

Hey Apple: train your AI to use the mouse and cursor on macOS, and on how to use your operating system and entire suite of apps. Either that, or prepare to lose hundreds of billions in value as the tech world passes you by. WAKE UP

Is this satire? Please tell me it’s satire. 

Apple has been incorporating AI across their products for the better part of a decade. That you think AI is limited to Siri means you either haven’t been paying attention or don’t really know what AI is. 

You also don’t appear to use some of the apps you are talking about. Logic/Garageband introduce AI musicians awhile along. Final Cut Pro/iMove have AI features and iMovie  will make a move based on whatever clips you throw into it. You don’t need to know anything about editing. That kind of feature doesn’t make sense for FCP. FCP is for people that want/need more control over editing. iMovie is the tool for people that are new to it. 

danox

Stabitha_Christie said:

opplo said:

The problem with Apple and AI is that they will not take advantage of it the way they should. They are still in this 'Siri mindset' where it's a cute thing to ask a question and get an answer or have AI do some nifty little task on an iPhone.

Apple should really be taking inspiration from something like Devin, and training models to build apps end-to-end in Xcode with no coding knowledge, songs in Logic with no music production knowledge, films in Final Cut Pro X with no filmmaking knowledge.

They are squandering their true advantage (their legacy of powerful, feature-packed professional desktop software that could now be driven by AI if Apple were not so clueless).

Hey Apple: train your AI to use the mouse and cursor on macOS, and on how to use your operating system and entire suite of apps. Either that, or prepare to lose hundreds of billions in value as the tech world passes you by. WAKE UP

Is this satire? Please tell me it’s satire. 

Apple has been incorporating AI across their products for the better part of a decade. That you think AI is limited to Siri means you either haven’t been paying attention or don’t really know what AI is. 

You also don’t appear to use some of the apps you are talking about. Logic/Garageband introduce AI musicians awhile along. Final Cut Pro/iMove have AI features and iMovie  will make a move based on whatever clips you throw into it. You don’t need to know anything about editing. That kind of feature doesn’t make sense for FCP. FCP is for people that want/need more control over editing. iMovie is the tool for people that are new to it. 

Apple approach to AI will be/is subtle and very effective Microsoft, Google, Meta, Qualcomm and Samsung will be the equivalent to the hot air of the Intel inside ad campaign......

Stabitha_Christie

danox said:

Stabitha_Christie said:

opplo said:

The problem with Apple and AI is that they will not take advantage of it the way they should. They are still in this 'Siri mindset' where it's a cute thing to ask a question and get an answer or have AI do some nifty little task on an iPhone.

Apple should really be taking inspiration from something like Devin, and training models to build apps end-to-end in Xcode with no coding knowledge, songs in Logic with no music production knowledge, films in Final Cut Pro X with no filmmaking knowledge.

They are squandering their true advantage (their legacy of powerful, feature-packed professional desktop software that could now be driven by AI if Apple were not so clueless).

Hey Apple: train your AI to use the mouse and cursor on macOS, and on how to use your operating system and entire suite of apps. Either that, or prepare to lose hundreds of billions in value as the tech world passes you by. WAKE UP

Is this satire? Please tell me it’s satire. 

Apple has been incorporating AI across their products for the better part of a decade. That you think AI is limited to Siri means you either haven’t been paying attention or don’t really know what AI is. 

You also don’t appear to use some of the apps you are talking about. Logic/Garageband introduce AI musicians awhile along. Final Cut Pro/iMove have AI features and iMovie  will make a move based on whatever clips you throw into it. You don’t need to know anything about editing. That kind of feature doesn’t make sense for FCP. FCP is for people that want/need more control over editing. iMovie is the tool for people that are new to it. 

Apple approach to AI will be/is subtle and very effective Microsoft, Google, Meta, Qualcomm and Samsung will be the equivalent to the hot air of the Intel inside ad campaign......

Pretty much. Everything introduces so far is a feature and they tend to work well. Face ID, photo content detection, photo subject detection, afib detection, workout detection, live voicemail transcription …. The list goes on and on. But there is no ChatGPT clone so all is lost. Can anyone really explain why Apple needs a ChatGPT clone? Not really, but they just know Apple really needs to have one. 

danvm

danox said:

AI on the edge (Apples path) is the way to go however only in the first world would Google, and Microsoft think a cloud solution where everyone in theory has access to 24/7 internet/WiFi connection at speed with giant cell towers every mile, note both are weak in hardware and both particularly Google want to collect user data.

Looks like MS is looking to improve their AI on the edge in Windows and AMD, Intel and Qualcomm processors. 

Microsoft confirms Surface and Windows AI event for March 21st - The Verge

And while Microsoft is weak in hardware, they have a very strong presence in the desktop with Windows.  I'm sure Dell, Lenovo and HP will jump in the bandwagon and will make AI very popular in Windows.  Also, their cloud lead in AI is evident.  IMO, MS is well positioned to be the leader in AI in the edge and the cloud.  But we'll have to wait and see what Apple, MS and Google announce in their events this year.  

danvm

danox said:

Stabitha_Christie said:

opplo said:

The problem with Apple and AI is that they will not take advantage of it the way they should. They are still in this 'Siri mindset' where it's a cute thing to ask a question and get an answer or have AI do some nifty little task on an iPhone.

Apple should really be taking inspiration from something like Devin, and training models to build apps end-to-end in Xcode with no coding knowledge, songs in Logic with no music production knowledge, films in Final Cut Pro X with no filmmaking knowledge.

They are squandering their true advantage (their legacy of powerful, feature-packed professional desktop software that could now be driven by AI if Apple were not so clueless).

Hey Apple: train your AI to use the mouse and cursor on macOS, and on how to use your operating system and entire suite of apps. Either that, or prepare to lose hundreds of billions in value as the tech world passes you by. WAKE UP

Is this satire? Please tell me it’s satire. 

Apple has been incorporating AI across their products for the better part of a decade. That you think AI is limited to Siri means you either haven’t been paying attention or don’t really know what AI is. 

You also don’t appear to use some of the apps you are talking about. Logic/Garageband introduce AI musicians awhile along. Final Cut Pro/iMove have AI features and iMovie  will make a move based on whatever clips you throw into it. You don’t need to know anything about editing. That kind of feature doesn’t make sense for FCP. FCP is for people that want/need more control over editing. iMovie is the tool for people that are new to it. 

Apple approach to AI will be/is subtle and very effective Microsoft, Google, Meta, Qualcomm and Samsung will be the equivalent to the hot air of the Intel inside ad campaign......

MS is using AI to improve MS Office, Dynamics and even security services. From what I have seen, and in some cases experienced, they have done a very good job.  I don't think is the equivalent to hot air as you think.  

danvm

Stabitha_Christie said:

danox said:

Stabitha_Christie said:

opplo said:

The problem with Apple and AI is that they will not take advantage of it the way they should. They are still in this 'Siri mindset' where it's a cute thing to ask a question and get an answer or have AI do some nifty little task on an iPhone.

Apple should really be taking inspiration from something like Devin, and training models to build apps end-to-end in Xcode with no coding knowledge, songs in Logic with no music production knowledge, films in Final Cut Pro X with no filmmaking knowledge.

They are squandering their true advantage (their legacy of powerful, feature-packed professional desktop software that could now be driven by AI if Apple were not so clueless).

Hey Apple: train your AI to use the mouse and cursor on macOS, and on how to use your operating system and entire suite of apps. Either that, or prepare to lose hundreds of billions in value as the tech world passes you by. WAKE UP

Is this satire? Please tell me it’s satire. 

Apple has been incorporating AI across their products for the better part of a decade. That you think AI is limited to Siri means you either haven’t been paying attention or don’t really know what AI is. 

You also don’t appear to use some of the apps you are talking about. Logic/Garageband introduce AI musicians awhile along. Final Cut Pro/iMove have AI features and iMovie  will make a move based on whatever clips you throw into it. You don’t need to know anything about editing. That kind of feature doesn’t make sense for FCP. FCP is for people that want/need more control over editing. iMovie is the tool for people that are new to it. 

Apple approach to AI will be/is subtle and very effective Microsoft, Google, Meta, Qualcomm and Samsung will be the equivalent to the hot air of the Intel inside ad campaign......

Pretty much. Everything introduces so far is a feature and they tend to work well. Face ID, photo content detection, photo subject detection, afib detection, workout detection, live voicemail transcription …. The list goes on and on. But there is no ChatGPT clone so all is lost. Can anyone really explain why Apple needs a ChatGPT clone? Not really, but they just know Apple really needs to have one. 

One reason could be improving their apps.  MS have Copilot chat integrated in MS Office, and it's have been a very nice addition. Maybe Apple could do the same to improve their productivity apps.  

dope_ahmine

danox said:

AI on the edge (Apples path) is the way to go however only in the first world would Google, and Microsoft think a cloud solution where everyone in theory has access to 24/7 internet/WiFi connection at speed with giant cell towers every mile, note both are weak in hardware and both particularly Google want to collect user data.

That’s a really long sentence

tmay

dope_ahmine said:

danox said:

AI on the edge (Apples path) is the way to go however only in the first world would Google, and Microsoft think a cloud solution where everyone in theory has access to 24/7 internet/WiFi connection at speed with giant cell towers every mile, note both are weak in hardware and both particularly Google want to collect user data.

That’s a really long sentence

Copilot did that...