Apple developers have published a new study claiming that their ReALM language model outperforms OpenAI’s GPT-4 at “reference resolution.”
Apple asserts that their ReALM performs better than GPT 4 in this job. What is it
Apple’s ReALM Language Model Beats GPT-4 in Reference Resolution Benchmark
Apple researchers submitted a preprint document on Friday for their ReALM big language model, claiming that it can “substantially outperform” OpenAI’s GPT-4 in specific benchmarks. ReALM is supposed to understand and manage a variety of scenarios. In theory, this will enable users to point to something on the screen or in the background and ask the language model about it.
Reference resolution is a language problem that involves determining what a specific expression refers to. For example, when we speak, we employ pronouns like “they” and “that.” Now, what these words are referring to may be evident to humans who comprehend context. However, a chatbot like ChatGPT may not always understand what you’re saying.
Chatbots would benefit greatly from being able to grasp precisely what is being said. According to Apple, the ability for users to refer to something on a screen using “that” or “it” or another word and have a chatbot comprehend it precisely is critical to delivering a genuinely hands-free screen experience.
This is Apple’s third AI paper in recent months, and while it is still too early to forecast anything, these papers can be viewed as an early preview of capabilities that the firm intends to incorporate in its software offerings such as iOS and macOS.
According to the study, researchers intend to employ ReALM to recognize and identify three types of entities: onscreen entities, conversational entities, and background entities. Onscreen entities are things that appear on the user’s screen. Conversational entities are those that contribute to the discourse. For example, if you ask a chatbot “what workouts am I supposed to do today?” it should be able to determine from past discussions that you are on a three-day workout program and what your daily routine is.
Background entities are objects that do not fit within the first two categories but are nonetheless relevant. For example, there could be a podcast playing in the background or a notification that just went off. Apple wants ReALM to recognize when a user refers to these as well.
“We show significant improvements over an existing system with comparable capability across several sorts of references, with our smallest model achieving absolute benefits of more than 5% for on-screen references. We also benchmark against GPT-3.5 and GPT-4, with our smallest model performing similarly to GPT-4 and our larger models significantly outperforming it,” said the researchers in their report.
However, keep in mind that GPT-3.5 only accepts text, therefore the researchers’ input was limited to the prompt. However, in GPT-4, they also included a screenshot for the task, which significantly improved performance.
“Please keep in mind that our ChatGPT prompt and prompt+image formulation are, to the best of our knowledge, innovative in their own right. The researchers suggest additional examination of a more complicated strategy, such as sampling semantically related utterances till the prompt length, to improve results. They leave this for future work.
So, while ReALM outperforms GPT-4 in this particular benchmark, saying that the former is a better model than the latter is far from correct. It’s only that ReALM outperformed GPT in a benchmark it was explicitly built to excel at. It is also unclear when or how Apple intends to integrate ReALM into its devices.
In the face of Patent Battle Against Blood Oxygen Sensor Technology, Apple Looks to Shut Down Sales for New Watch Models
Part of the suspension, which begins on December 21, is due to a patent battle over the blood-oxygen sensor included in the two most recent Apple Watch models.
Apple Will Stop Selling the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Apple Watch Series 9 Watches
Try to purchase the newest Apple Watch for your loved ones before December 21 if you wanted to give them one for the holidays.
In anticipation of a US International Trade Commission ban, Apple has stated that it will suspend sales of the Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2, its two most recent Watch models. Due to a disagreement over a patent for the technology Apple utilizes in the blood-oxygen sensor of the most recent Watch models, the federal government is thinking of banning the device.
According to 9to5Mac, starting on December 21 at 3 p.m. Eastern, sales on Apple.com will halt, and on December 24, in-store inventory will be removed from retail locations. The watches will still be available for purchase for the time being on websites like Amazon and Best Buy, as the ITC’s restriction only applies to Apple. Both watches will still be accessible in other nations since the proposed prohibition only applies to watch imports into the US.
The suspension comes after a protracted disagreement with Masimo, a medical technology business. Apple was sued by Masimo in 2021, as reported by Engadget. The business claimed that Apple had violated one of its blood-oxygen monitoring patents, which was based on light. In October, the ITC affirmed a judge’s decision that Apple had violated the patents. Following the ruling, the president was given a sixty-day period of review, which ends on December 25. Apple is preparing for compliance in advance.
Apple has a few choices for reintroducing its wearables to consumers. The business plans to file an appeal with a federal court. It can also deactivate the blood-oxygen detecting characteristics in order to come to an agreement with Masimo. After the evaluation period ends on December 25, further details regarding the Watch 9 and Ultra 2’s future plans should become accessible.
apple watch ultra 2 and apple series 9 watch
Since most smartwatches are similar in appearance and functionality, it is uncommon for a business to effectively use patent infringement to stop a competitor’s sales. Fitbit filed a lawsuit in 2016 to prevent the import of Jawbone goods, but it was later dismissed after it was discovered that, well, Jawbone doesn’t actually sell that many fitness trackers. It is quite an accomplishment to witness this happen to a Goliath firm such as Apple, the world’s best-selling watch manufacturer.
The Watch SE is unaffected by the verdict since it lacks blood-tracking sensors. In our guide to the Best Apple Watches, Apple’s reasonably priced entry-level model is our top choice overall. No watch made prior to Series 9 is impacted by the prohibition either. In 2020, Apple debuted the blood-monitoring capabilities of the Watch Series 6; the Series 7 and Series 8 will remain in production.
In addition, Masimo said that the FDA has just approved the Masimo W1, its own wristwatch for tracking health.
After the Sales Pause: Consequences and Apple Watch’s Future
Apple Will Stop Selling the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Apple Watch Series 9 Watches
Let’s examine the larger ramifications of this patent issue and its possible influence on the future of the Apple Watch, going beyond the recent announcement of the sales halt:
1. The Changing Wearable Technology Landscape:
This ruling may establish a standard for upcoming patent battles in the wearable technology sector, which might make it harder for businesses to develop without violating already-issued patents.
In talks with industry titans like Apple, smaller businesses like Masimo may be able to exert more influence and shape the course of wearable technology development in the future.
2. Apple’s Reaction and Possible Fixes:
Apple has demonstrated its dedication to safeguarding its technology and continuing to sell its flagship product through its appeal and possible settlement choices.
To comply with the order, the business may investigate substitute blood-oxygen sensor methods or create software solutions.
Even if the present deployment is put on hold temporarily, this might spur more innovation and breakthroughs in wearable health monitoring technologies.
3. Market dynamics and the impact of consumers:
Customers’ access to the newest Apple Watch models may be momentarily hampered by the sales hold, particularly for those who want the blood-oxygen functions.
For those looking for a new Apple Watch, there are still alternatives available in the form of the Series 7, 8, and SE.
The market for smartwatches may become more competitive as other companies may try to take advantage of the Series 9 and Ultra 2’s brief absence.
4. The Prospects for Masimo and the Future of Health Monitoring:
Masimo is becoming more well-known in the health-tracking industry because to its successful patent defense and FDA approval for its own wearable.
This would encourage more rivalry and cooperation with other businesses, which would eventually benefit customers by giving them access to a greater selection of cutting-edge wearable health monitors.
The patent battle encourages further research and development in this vital area by highlighting the rising significance of intellectual property in the healthcare technology sector.
In summary, the sales halt for the Apple Watch is only one part of a greater tale including innovation, rivalry, and legal issues in the healthcare and wearable technology sectors. Although the short-term effects on customers are minimal, the long-term effects could have a big influence on how we use technology to track and manage our health in the future.
Sales of Apple Watches Paused: FAQs
Q: Why are sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 on hold?
A: An import restriction on Masimo blood-oxygen sensor technology was being considered by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) due to a patent dispute. Apple has decided to proactively halt sales until the end of the review period on December 25th.
Q: I want to get an Apple Watch for Christmas, is it possible?
A: Indeed, but only through December 21st for purchases made online and December 24th for purchases made in-person. After that, you might have to wait for Apple to announce its next move or try searching for them at stores like Amazon or Best Buy.
Q: Does this impact other models of Apple Watches?
A: No, only the Series 9 and Ultra 2 are impacted. There are still devices like the Series 7, 8, and SE that are older and do not have the blood-oxygen sensor.
Q: What’s going to happen on December 25th?
A: Apple has a few options: it can find another piece of technology, settle with Masimo, or appeal the decision. By then, probably more details will be accessible.
Q: Does this affect other brands of smartwatches?
A: No, at this time, only Apple watches are impacted. On the other hand, this decision could establish a standard for upcoming patent challenges in the wearable technology sector.
Q: What about the smartwatch that Masimo owns?
A: Because of this situation, Masimo’s W1 wristwatch, which just got FDA authorization, may get more attention.
Q: What implications does this have for the Apple Watch’s future?
A: The difficulties with patent law and innovation in the wearable technology and healthcare sectors are brought to light by this circumstance. Though it’s too soon to tell for sure, it may encourage the creation of new health-tracking technologies and have an impact on next Apple Watch models.
