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Apple is reportedly closing in on an acquisition that could sharpen its AI edge. The company most likely to be acquired is Prompt AI, a computer vision startup behind the Seemour app, which will be retired as part of the deal.
What we know so far
According to CNBC reporting, Prompt AI informed staff at an all-hands meeting on October 9 that Apple is nearing a purchase. Key details from the reports include:
- Prompt AI employees were notified about the impending acquisition at the October 9 meeting.
- Investors will receive partial compensation but are not expected to be made whole, suggesting Apple is negotiating a firm price.
- The exact purchase price remains undisclosed.
- Prompt AI's flagship Seemour app is set to go offline, and user data will be deleted to protect privacy.
Why Prompt AI matters to Apple
Prompt AI specializes in ambient AI that combines computer vision and natural language to analyze surroundings in real time. Seemour connected to home cameras, identifying people, pets, objects, and suspicious activity while offering detailed scene descriptions on request. That mix of on-device vision and contextual prompts closely aligns with what Apple has pitched under its Apple Intelligence initiative.
Could this fix Apple Intelligence's gaps?
Apple has rolled out features under the Apple Intelligence banner since 2024, but several advances—like in-app actions and richer personal context awareness for Siri—have faced delays. Acquiring a team with computer vision IP and hands-on experience in real-world ambient AI could accelerate those delayed features and bring more sophisticated scene understanding to iPhones, iPads, and possibly future devices.
Privacy first, but with trade-offs
Apple's decision to delete Seemour user data underlines the company's privacy stance, but it also signals a clean slate approach for integrating new technology. For users, that means the app will disappear and any stored footage or detection logs will be removed. For investors and the startup's founders, it means the acquisition may focus more on talent and intellectual property than on preserving an existing consumer product.
Is Apple following other big tech moves?
Apple historically avoids splashy, high-dollar deals—the company’s largest purchase to date was Beats for about 3 billion dollars in 2014. But the tech landscape has shifted: other giants like Meta have made large bets through acquisitions, such as the high-profile Scale AI deal. Apple’s interest in Prompt AI could indicate a new willingness to use M&A to fill technical gaps faster than internal development alone can.
And what about smart glasses?
One intriguing angle is that Prompt AI's vision tech could feed into Apple’s rumored push on AR or AI-enabled smart glasses. Accurate, low-latency scene understanding is exactly the kind of capability that would enhance wearable experiences—object recognition, contextual prompts, and subtle alerts without compromising user privacy.
For now, details remain limited. Expect more clarity on the price, the integration plan, and the roadmap for any Prompt AI technology once Apple or the company makes an official announcement. In the meantime, Seemour users should prepare for the app shutdown and ensure any local backups are made before data removal begins.
Source: wccftech
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