Duo will perhaps be the most futuristic AI that we have seen till date. Out of something of science-fiction, people will now be able to interact with a smart AI interface, through a mirror.
The device can be hung just like a mirror on a wall, but as unsuspecting as it may seem, users can actually start swiping up and down on the mirror like it were a giant touch screen, giving it commands and enabling it to run programs. Of course, Duo will have its own AI in the form of Albert. Using gestures, swipes or oral commands, the system can be called up easily and at the user’s service. Unlike most other AI assistants, Albert can be extensively customized. Users will be able to change the AI’s gender, accent and name as well. Perhaps ‘J.A.R.V.I.S.’ could be one option.
The screen or mirror itself, is a 27-inch panel that supports up to 5 touch points at once and is super slim, at just 1.9mm. It weighs eight pounds and has a resolution of 1920×1080. The creators of the Duo say that this is not just some fancy gadget to show off. It is actually very functional and very useful, housing an entire home system inside its frame.
The Duo will have its own set of apps running and will also feature its own app store. It will be able to connect with other smart devices and have facial recognition support as well as have use for multiple users at once. The AI is so smart, it can even understand natural language as well. Some known apps it uses already is the Spotify API that allows the mirror to show the news as well as play music. The OS that will be running on the Duo will be called HomeOS (why didn’t Google and Amazon think of a similar OS name when they made their smart home products?). The mirror will show stats and control the lighting as well as the temperature of the room. There will be space for creating stand-alone apps that are made specifically for the mirror such as a voice-activated Instagram, YouTube, Giphy as well as much more.
The product is not currently going to be available just yet. It is only going to be shipped in October if one pre-orders a piece right now. Just one piece costs a hefty $399. Something to consider is the background of this company, that currently has only just set up its website and also has some discrepancies in describing the mirror as being a 5-touch point device as opposed to its tech demo saying it’s a 10-point touch device. Although it is being funded by a notable VC, said VC has not updated its portfolio list to include the company yet. Considering that the features seem more promising than they should be on a device like a mirror, it does arouse curiosity as to the legibility of the company.
Still, they should be given the benefit of the doubt and also be given more trust as it’s quite rare to come across innovation as unique as this. Even companies like Samsung and LG could not come up with this yet. When it does come out in October, it will probably be as exciting or even more, than the new iPhone as well.