It seems that the idea of a personal digital assistant is starting to catch on. We’ve seen integrated solutions from Microsoft, Apple, and Google, and we’ve also seen third-party options from the likes of SoundHound, and now it looks like Facebook wants in on the action as well as the company has announced a new service called “M”.
This “M” service is basically a personal assistant feature, but it will mainly be for the social network’s Messenger app meaning that it isn’t really meant to compete with the likes of Google Now, Siri, or Cortana. If you’re wondering why this sounds familiar, it’s because in July there was a rumor that Facebook was developing such a feature called “Moneypenny”.
Just like other digital assistants, M will be able to complete tasks for you and help you to search for information. According to Facebook’s David Marcus, “Unlike other AI-based services in the market, M can actually complete tasks on your behalf. It can purchase items, get gifts delivered to your loved ones, book restaurants, travel arrangements, appointments and way more.”
That being said, M is currently in testing meaning that it isn’t ready for the masses just yet. If you’re lucky enough you could be part of M’s test group, but if not we suppose you’ll just have to wait.
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