PullString

PullString — the American software maker by means of whom the companies can create voice applications for systems Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The startup purchased popularity in many respects thanks to development of interactive voice functions for children's toys, including for Barbie dolls. The PullString company which is also engaged in developments in the field of Internet of Things is founded in 2011 by former employees of studio Pixar. For example, the head Oren Jacob was the technical director of Pixar earlier.

History

2019: Apple purchased PullString

In the middle of February, 2019 it became known of PullString sale to the American producer of electronics of Apple. The companies did not disclose the cost of the transaction. The Axious edition writes that more than $30 million are about the amount.

Terms of the contract between PullString and Apple are not published. It is obvious that desire of Apple to expand possibilities of Siri voice assistant became the purpose of purchase and to make it more competitive in relation to the main competitors — Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for which Pullstring created tools.

Apple purchased the application developer for voice assistants to Google and Amazon

How exactly Apple is going to use Pullstring technologies, is not reported. Usually American corporation integrates the purchased developments with own products. So, Workflow turned into Siri Shortcuts, and Beats Music in Music Apple.

Purchase of Pullstring will allow Apple to accelerate growth of applications and abilities of the voice Siri assistant and to simplify their creation for third-party developers.

By February, 2019 Pullstring attracted in total $44 million venture investments from such large funds as CRV, Greylock, True Ventures, Khosla Ventures and First Round Capital. According to the results of a final round of financing investors estimated the company at $163.6 million (data of Pitchbook service).^[1]

Notes