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New Siri Patent Paves Way For Apple Stock To Run To $1,000

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On October 12, 2011, I started a series on Forbes titled “Future of Apple.”  The first article in the series was ‘Tim Cook's Leadership Determines Whether Apple Hits $100 or $1,000 Next’.

Now I have come across Apple’s plan to become a $1,000 stock.  Obviously, the plan is secret and Apple did not give me access to it.  I was able to connect the dots from the gobbledygook contained in an Apple document.  The document is United States Patent Application 20120016678.  The document is purported to be a simple patent application for Siri.  On the surface the document is benign as shown by the abstract reproduced below:

An intelligent automated assistant system engages with the user in an integrated, conversational manner using natural language dialog, and invokes external services when appropriate to obtain information or perform various actions. The system can be implemented using any of a number of different platforms, such as the web, email, smartphone, and the like, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the system is based on sets of interrelated domains and tasks, and employs additional functionally powered by external services with which the system can interact.

Before I get into putting the dots together, some background is necessary.  Here is how Apple describes the landscape:

Today's electronic devices are able to access a large, growing, and diverse quantity of functions, services, and information, both via the Internet and from other sources. Functionality for such devices is increasing rapidly, as many consumer devices, smartphones, tablet computers, and the like, are able to run software applications to perform various tasks and provide different types of information.

Often, each application, function, website, or feature has its own user interface and its own operational paradigms, many of which can be burdensome to learn or overwhelming for users. In addition, many users may have difficulty even discovering what functionality and/or information is available on their electronic devices or on various websites; thus, such users may become frustrated or overwhelmed, or may simply be unable to use the resources available to them in an effective manner.

In particular, novice users, or individuals who are impaired or disabled in some manner, and/or are elderly, busy, distracted, or operating a vehicle, may have difficulty interfacing with their electronic devices effectively, and/or engaging online services effectively. Such users are particularly likely to have difficulty with the large number of diverse and inconsistent functions, applications, and websites that may be available for their use.

Accordingly, existing systems are often difficult to use and to navigate, and often present users with inconsistent and overwhelming interfaces that often prevent the users from making effective use of the technology.

The patent application gives us lots of clues.

Siri Will Become A Strategy

Today Siri is a feature on Apple iPhone 4S.  It is clear that Apple intends to carry Siri beyond iPhone to all of its devices.  Siri will no longer be tethered to any one device.  As long as you can connect to iCloud you will be able to use Siri.

Siri The Finder

Siri will be able to find exactly the book you want, exactly the music track you want to listen to, the right flight to the destination you want, and the like. Siri will be your research assistant and be able to find on the Internet whatever your heart desires.

Siri The Planner

Siri will be able to plan the movie you want to see, make reservations at the restaurant of your choice and reserve theater tickets.

Siri The Shopper

Siri will buy your music, books, gadgets, and anything that can be bought online.

Siri The Teacher

Siri will teach you how to use the new gadget you buy, the new software your employer just installed, crafts you have wanted to learn, and to cook a gourmet meal.

Siri The Home Controller

Siri will control your security system, your lights, the furnace, air conditioner, and the TV.  TV remote control will become obsolete.

Siri The Photographer

Siri will take professional videos at your friend’s wedding and a still picture of your parents at their golden anniversary without you ever touching your camera.

It is not hard to imagine how Apple will rule your world.

There are reports that Google (GOOG), Amazon (AMZN), Microsoft (MSFT), Dell (DELL), IBM (IBM) and Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) are hard at work with similar goals.  Will they catch Siri?

About Me: I am an engineer and nuclear physicist by background, have founded two Inc. 500 fastest growing companies and have been involved in over 50 entrepreneurial ventures. I am the chief investment officer at The Arora Reportwhich publishes four newsletters to help investors profit from change. Please feel free to write me atNigam@TheAroraReport.com

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Full disclosure: I , my hedge fund and subscribers to The Arora Report are long Apple from an average of $131 and took profits on 50% of the position at an average price of $360.  Subscribers to ZYX Buy Change Alert may have a similar position and may have taken similar actions. We also have a position in HPQ.